Parish Paths Partnership (P3)

Photo of Amey staff assisting and training members of the community

Amey Herefordshire on behalf of Herefordshire Council are responsible for maintaining the public rights of way network across the county. However, a scheme is in place which allows parish councils to take responsibility for maintaining their own path network. The Parish Paths Partnership Scheme (P3) is a signed partnership agreement between a parish council and Herefordshire Council. A grant is paid to the parish council based on the total length of paths within the parish.

The P3 Scheme can bring many benefits to the local community:

Health & Leisure

An easy to use local path network provides opportunities for local people to relax and enjoy the health benefits of fresh air and regular exercise.

Local Economy

The local economy, and particularly pubs, shops and accommodation providers benefit from both local people and visitors enjoying an easy to use path network.

Community Involvement and Ownership

When the maintenance of paths in a parish is largely managed by the parish council, local solutions to local problems mean that any improvements belong to the whole community rather than being perceived to be imposed from outside.

By signing up to the scheme, the parish council, using local contractors and volunteers, become responsible for vegetation clearance along with the repair and installation of the following:

gates
stile cross-steps
ditch crossings and small bridges
signposts
waymarker posts
drainage and surfacing works

Amey Herefordshire will supply and deliver all materials and furniture required.

Photo of an Amey Herefordshire operative carrying a fingerpost ready for installation

Photo of an Amey Herefordshire operative carrying a wooden gate ready for installation

How a Parish can join the P3 scheme

To be eligible to join the P3 scheme, the parish must have the following:

At least one Parish Paths Officer
A parish clerk or Treasurer
Public liability insurance cover of at least £3,000,000

Parish Path Officers

Parish Path Officers (PPO's) are volunteers nominated by their parish council, and appointed by Herefordshire Council (the role is voluntary with expenses paid by Herefordshire Council). It is essential that any parish wishing to join the P3 scheme has an active PPO who is willing and able to carry out various duties to ensure that the local path network is kept open and usable for the public to enjoy. The PPO is required to confirm each year that they have walked all the paths in the scheme during the preceding 12 months.

The PPO is the direct link from the parish council to Amey Herefordshire's Public Rights of Way Service and is responsible for agreeing with the Area Rights of Way Warden the work to be carried out under the P3 scheme.

Parish Clerk or Treasurer

It is essential that a PPO in a P3 scheme is given additional assistance and support by at least one other person from the parish council. Since the P3 scheme involves the spending of money from the parish council's account, the parish clerk, or treasurer, must be involved in helping the PPO to complete the annual return and account for expenditure of P3 grant monies. A sub-committee of the parish council could assist the PPO in their other duties under the scheme.

Insurance

The parish council has a duty of care to volunteers, contractors and the general public and the parish should confirm for themselves that a contractor has public liability insurance before employing them. Please also note that parishes joining the scheme will need to have minimum public liability insurance cover of £3,000,000. A copy of the insurance certificate, or written confirmation, must be submitted with an application to join the scheme.

For an application form and further details regarding the P3 scheme, please contact 01432 261800

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Herefordshire Council, Brockington, Hereford. HR1 1SH | Tel: (01432) 260000 | info@herefordshire.gov.uk