Working Groups (11.10 - 11.25)
Members to report on the Working Groups
Minutes:
Members of the Working Groups gave an update on their progress to date:
Finance
Neil Collie and Ken Edwards reported that they had agreed on the Terms of Reference for the Group. Their aim was to collate details of the funding arrangements for rights of way work including maintenance and the ROWIP, and also to look for external funding sources. The Group had attempted to produce a detailed breakdown for 3 years funding and it was agreed that the Group would provide a template form to Amy Rushton and Denise Snelson so that they could populate with the information required.
Under Represented Groups
Members of the Group had prepared a report which had been circulated prior to the meeting. The Group had identified a list of people who could be classed as being under represented in the access/use of the countryside. They had also identified the benefits and the possible negative implications of countryside recreational activities and also barriers to use of the countryside. The Report also suggested ways of promoting the use of the countryside and it was agreed that these should be further developed and brought back to the Forum.
Health
John White reported that the Group had found that there was evidence to show that health could be improved through access to the Countryside and that there were plenty of opportunities to do so, through initiatives such as Walk4Life, walking groups established by local authorities and education programmes. The Group had also considered the barriers which stopped people accessing these initiatives and the Countryside.
Best Practice Recommendations to Parish Councils
Andy Gildon reported that the Best Practice leaflet had been distributed to parish councils via the Cheshire Association of Local Councils. The next stage would be to decide how to follow this up with visits to the parish councils.