Issue details

Management of Public Rights of Way in Dacorum - Agency Agreement with Hertfordshire Country Council.

That the Council enters in to the  Agency Agreement with Hertfordshire County Council for the delivery of the management and maintenance of Public Rights of Way in the Borough of Dacorum for the period 1^st  April 2022 to 31^st March 2027.

The Borough Council currently delivers the management and maintenance function on public rights of way in the Borough under an Agency agreement with the Highway Authority, Hertfordshire County, Council (HCC), which is due to expire on the 31^st March 2022.

HCC are keen to secure the Agency arrangements up to 31^st March 2027 to enable the service to be delivered locally rather than centrally from County Hall. To this end HCC have produced an agreement which covers all public footpaths, bridleways, restricted byways, byways and un-surfaced unclassified county roads in the Borough. Technical support is provided via HCCs Rights of Way unit.

To deliver the Agency agreement, the Borough Council employs a Countryside Access Officer who is fully funded by HCC with regard to salary, overheads,’ accommodation, training and travel. In addition a working budget is provided for improvement works on the rights of way network and there is opportunity available to bid for additional funding from HCC for additional works.