Sections 94 and 95 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 place a duty on Highway Authorities and National Park Authorities to establish a Local Access Forum. The notes below give information regarding the roles, responsibilities, membership and organisation of the Local Access Forum.
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Roles and responsibilities
The general role of the Local Access Forum is to advise upon strategic access and recreation issues within the City. It will act as an advisory body for the Highway Authority and Countryside Agency to assist in the ‘improvement of public access to land for the purpose of open-air recreation and the enjoyment of the area’.
The forum will give advice on public rights of way within the city, and how best to provide better opportunities for people to gain access to the wider areas within the city.
The forum will be consulted on two main topics:
- Implementation and management of access to the open spaces within and peripheral to the city.
- Development of the public rights of way network within the city through the Rights of Way Improvement Plan.
In providing advice, the forum must have consideration for:
- Social, economic and environmental interests.
- The needs of the different classes of user.
- •mproving the quality of life for local people.
It is expected that the forum members demonstrate a dedicated approach to the improvement of access to open spaces within the city, engaging in constructive debate and seeking consensus wherever possible.
Implementation and management of access to the open spaces within and peripheral to the city
The forum will assist in the introduction, management and review of the statutory right of access to open spaces within the city. This will involve providing feedback on draft maps of all open country and registered common land produced by the Countryside Agency.
Forum members will be in a position to use their knowledge of the local area and any valuable contacts in order to assist the Countryside Agency to take full account of local information in preparation of the maps.
Development of the public rights of way network through the Rights of Way Improvement Plan
Each Highway Authority is required, by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, to prepare, publish, assess and review a Rights of Way Improvement Plan. The aim of which is to review the adequacy of the rights of way network in order to secure an improved network.
The role of the forum will include:
- Assessing the extent to which local rights of way meet present and likely future needs of the public.
- Commenting on opportunities for access to the open spaces within the city.
- Commenting on access to work, school and local services.
- Assisting the Highways Authority in setting priorities for implementing their plans.
- Commenting on draft improvement plans prior to publication.
- Commenting on the results of public consultation of the draft plan.
Membership
In order for the forum to work effectively, it will consist of between 10 - 20 members.
The appointed members of the forum will provide a reasonable balance of interests in order to offer unbiased advice to the issues raised. Members will essentially provide an independent view rather than views of a particular organisation.
The members will be individuals representative of:
- Users of local rights of way,
- Owners and occupiers of access land or land over which rights of way exist, or
- Any other interests relevant to the area.
Individuals who have an interest in more than one category will be particularly useful.
The initial term of appointment of members will be between 1-3 years, however there is the opportunity for the appointment to be renewed.
Working arrangements
The Local Access Forum must meet at least twice a year, although more meetings may be necessary, especially in the early stages. The meetings will be public and advertised in advance, and any agendas, reports and minutes will be publicly available.
The Local Access Forum must elect one of their members to act as the chair during the meetings, and a vice-chair to run meetings in the absence of the chair. This will take place at the first meeting of the forum. For the importance of balance, the chair and vice chair should be representative of differing interests, and are unlikely to be a member of the appointing authority.
Any member of the Local Access Forum, who has a personal interest related to a matter to be discussed by the forum, must disclose the nature of their interest at the meeting. This includes any matter that may affect the members well being, business, finances, or that of a relative or friend. The interest does not prevent the member from contributing to the discussion, so long as the interest is disclosed.
A Secretary will be appointed to provide general administration of the forum, including organisation and advertising of meetings, and preparation and circulation of agendas, minutes and reports of the meetings. They will also form the main communication point between the forum and the appointing authority.
Financial provision
Members will be entitled to claim any reasonable expenses incurred through attendance at meetings and other activities related to the work of the forum. This includes travel and subsistence costs, and any child care costs if necessary.
These notes are based on:
- The Local Access Forums (England) Regulations (2002) www.defra.gov.uk
- Guidance given by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (2002) www.defra.gov.uk
Interested in becoming a member?
If you are interested in getting involved and feel you could make a positive contribution to the forum, then we would like to hear from you.
Please complete an application form and send it to the address at the bottom of the form.
For more information please contact:
John Lee - Senior Rights of Way Officer on 0115 9156078 e-mail: John.Lee@Nottinghamcity.gov.uk
Evie Sirel on 0115 9156664 e-mail: Evie.Sirel@Nottinghamcity.gov.uk
Minutes from Local Access Forum meetings:
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