Present

C Youngs, M Moulstone (Chair, Barrow PC), R Simpkin, P Walsh, A Frew (minutes).

Apologies

R Tomlinson, G Higginbotham, P Atkinson (CWaC)

 

Minutes of Last Meeting on 29/04/19

The Minutes were accepted.

 

Matters Arising

1/ Guide Books – Since the record listed in the minutes of 29/04/19, 10 books have been sold:

 

 

Date 8/07/2019             Balance from last record	£ 504.07
Income                                         10 new books sold Proceeds from sales	Bluebell £12 Guilden Sutton £12 Tarvin PO £6
Stock locations: Bluebell Café, Guilden Sutton PO, Helsby PO, Tarvin PO, Foxcote, CY.
Expenditure
Latest total	£ 534.07

2/ Path 2 (Ferma Lane to Guilden Sutton) – No action had yet been taken as yet (See Appendix).

 

3/ FP 24 (Ferma Lane to Little Barrow) – MM had strimmed the Upper Ferma path and Lower Ferma as far as Ferma Wood, but the length of 24 beyond that point was in need of clearing with serious equipment. Geoff Faulkner had a cutting machine and MM would investigate whether it would be appropriate. Upper Ferma required work with a ‘rabbit mower’. This led to a debate as to whether, if CWaC were not discharging their responsibilities, Barrow PC could commission work and charge any third-party costs to CWaC.

 

4/ Church Lane – MM and RT had not yet had an opportunity to erect the Permissive Footpath signs. Paul Johnson had raised with CY that cattle could walk up the sunken lane off Church Lane and had requested that a kissing gate be installed to prevent this. MM pointed out that there had been a traditional right of access through the sunken lane to link the various fields and that he was not sure the PC would be within its rights to block this off. In any case, this issue had arisen because of the removal of field gates by Tim Johnson. MM undertook to discuss this with Tim Johnson and seek a solution.

 

5/ FP 9 (Broomhill to Long Green) – Although the weather had improved, no start to this remedial work had been made (See Appendix).

 

6/ FP 20 (Barrow Mill to Tarvin) – Once again, promised and sanctioned work had not been done. Also, no action was reported in respect of repair of the finger post.

 

 

The works to FP 2, 9 and 20 had been flagged as safety issues and, as a result, a firm commitment had been obtained from CWaC that work would be carried out. No progress had been made, although PA had confirmed that contractors had received work orders. It was agreed that CY should write to the Parish Council informing them of the position and requesting a formal complaint to CWaC.

 

CY would also write to the PC describing the lack of path clearance work and requesting that this be raised with CWaC.

 

MM confirmed that these issues would receive attention at the next meeting of the Parish Council.

 

 

AOB

 

FP 17 (Hollowmoor Heath to Ashton) – A landowner had created a drainage ditch which obstructed the footpath. PA had asked CY to investigate.

 

MM believed that there might be a case for lifting the prohibition of horses on Lower Ferma. PA would be asked to comment.

 

 

 

Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting is on Monday 9 September 2019 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.

 

 

 

 

Appendix of Outstanding Footpaths Work

Path	Point	Date	Work Required	Actions
Path 2	4	25/02/19	Works to remedy the steps issue has now been sanctioned. Works to kissing gate remain outstanding	PA/RA to follow up kissing gate
Path 6	4	24/05/10   16/7/18	Gowy crossing steps very steep. Extra step needed. Bridge in poor/unsafe condition.and PA wishes to replace all timbers.	No funds available.
Path 9		25/02/19	Significant erosion requires repair and the installation of a plank crossing, plus replacement steps for the stile.	Funds now available but await dry weather.
Path 19	2	07/09/15	New gate needed at Mill	No action at present
Path 20	2	25/02/19	Funds now available for new staircase.	PA to remedy as soon as possible.
Path 29		12/11/18	Barnhouse Lane to FP 13 – no funds available.	Committee to continue to raise concerns.