Agenda and minutes

To note the attendance at this meeting of any duly appointed Reserve Members.

Reserve Members may attend meetings:-

(i)            to take the place of an ordinary Member for whom they are a reserve;

(ii)          where the ordinary Member will be absent for the whole of the meeting; and

(iii)         the meeting notes at the start of the meeting at the item ‘Reserves’ that the Reserve Member is or will be attending as a reserve;

(iv)         if a Reserve Member whose intention to attend has been noted arrives after the commencement of the meeting, then that Reserve Member can only act as a Member from the start of the next item of business on the agenda after his/her arrival.

RESOLVED:  To note the attendance at this meeting of the following duly appointed Reserve Members:-

To receive declarations of disclosable pecuniary or non pecuniary interests, arising from business to be transacted at this meeting, from:

(a)          all Members of the Committee;

(b)          all other Members present.

RESOLVED:  To note that no interests were declared.

Report the Acting Strategic Director of Culture, Environment and Economy

Members received a report which set out the rational for adding existing footpaths onto the Definitive Map as Public Footpaths via a Definitive Map Modification Order (DMMO).

An Officer introduced the report explaining to Members that it was a statutory duty of the Council to undertake this work and highlighted that the DMMO was last updated a long time ago.  The officer then proceeded to outline each of the maps.

In considering the report Members asked questions and made comments including the following: -

·                A Member queried whether anything had occurred to make the Council realise that a Definitive Map Modification Order was required given the fact that some of the roads were last updated in 1969.  In response, it was clarified that this was not something which has recently come to light and the reason for undertaking this work was to ensure that a definitive right of way could be established.

·                There were no identified risks associated with the proposal and once it had been approved, a notice would be posted on site at each location which would enable any objections to be made.

·                Ward Councillors had already been notified by officers of the proposals for their relevant Ward.

RESOLVED:  That the Acting Strategic Director of Culture, Environment and Economy be authorised:

(1)           to make a Definitive Map Modification Order pursuant to sections 53(2) and 53(3)(c)(i) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 for the 20 Urban Footpaths which were attached to the officer report and numbered (UF 2, 5, 10, 11, 12, 17, 22, 25, 31, 32, 42, 44, 60, 81, 92, 111, 134, 148, 150 and 153);

(2)           if no objections or representations were received to the Order, to confirm the Order;

(3)           if objections or representations were received to the Order, to submit the Order to the Secretary of State with a request that the Order be confirmed; and

(4)           to take all necessary steps to update the Definitive Map and Statement of Public Rights of Way.

Report of the Acting Strategic Director of Culture, Environment and Economy

Members received a report which reviewed an application from members of the public for the Council to modify its records by adding a path, which linked De Havilland Road and Lawrence Crescent Edgware, to its map of public footpaths.

An officer outlined the contents of the report and explained to Members that it was the view of Council officers that the application be allowed.

A Member raised concern at the potential increase in anti- social behaviour which could occur as a result of the proposal.  In response, it was confirmed that there would be an opportunity for residents to raise objections once approved.  It was also noted that putting precautions into place to prevent anti- social behaviour was not something that was guided by the Regulations.

A Member queried whether the evidence in relation to the path was still valid given that some of it was over five years ago.  The legal adviser clarified that there was no issues with this.

RESOLVED:  That the Acting Strategic Director of Culture, Environment and Economy be authorised:

(1)           to make a Definitive Map Modification Order pursuant to sections 53(2) and 53(3)(c)(i) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 for a path linking Lawrence Crescent and De Havilland Road, Edgware;

(2)           if no objections or representations are received to the Order, to confirm the Order;

(3)           if objections or representations were received to the Order, to submit the Order to the Secretary of State with a request that the Order be confirmed; and

(4)           to take all necessary steps to update the Definitive Map and Statement of Public Rights of Way.