Issue - meetings

To consider and endorse or make recommendations to the Cabinet Member for Community and Regulatory Services on the proposed decision to adopt and publish the Rights of Way Improvement Plan 2018.

Graham Rusling (Public Rights of Way and Access Service Manager) and Denise Roffey (Countryside Access Improvement Plan Officer, Public Rights of Way & Access Service) were in attendance for this item.

1.      Mr M Hill, OBE (Cabinet Member for Community and Regulatory Services) introduced the report which set out the revised Rights of Way Improvement Plan following feedback received as part of the public consultation process and sought the Committees approval to adopt the final version.

2.    Mr G Rusling paid thanks to Mrs D Roffey for the extensive work carried out as part of the Rights of Way Improvement Plan review and informed Members that, if adopted, the plan would shape the work of the service over the coming decade.

(a)  In response to concerns regarding the availability of an interactive Rights of Way Map, Mr Rusling said that an interactive map was available on the Kent website, however, this could not be used as the definitive map due to subsequent amending orders and therefore carried with it a disclaimer to explain that the online map was not the legal record. Therefore, the definitive map could only be held in its original paper form. Mr Rusling explained that there was also a number of publicly maintained highways in Kent that did not feature on the definitive map and statement. Due to such inconsistencies, constituents were encouraged to liaise with the Public Rights of Way and Access Service, along with the Kent Highways and Transportation team, prior to taking any action.

3.    Mr M Balfour commended the work of the volunteers and Farmers who assisted the Rights of Way Access Service in keeping public footpaths clear.

4.    RESOLVED that the proposed decision to adopt and publish the Rights of Way Improvement Plan 2018, be endorsed.