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The Local Access Forums (England) Regulations 2002 were published by DEFRA and came into force on 7 August 2002 and will form the basis for the constitution of the Cheshire and Warrington Local Access Forum. The Forum was originally established in 2001 as a non-statutory forum under the then draft regulations so that it could proceed to deal with the consultations on draft maps of open country being issued by DEFRA at that time for the lower north-west of England.
The Cheshire and Warrington Local Access Forum
Title
1 The Forum shall be known as the Cheshire and Warrington Local Access Forum.
Role and Responsibilities
2 The primary purpose of the Cheshire and Warrington Local Access Forum is to provide advice to the constituent local authorities and to the Countryside Agency on how to make the countryside more accessible and enjoyable for open air recreation, in ways which address social, economic and environmental interests. The forum will assist access provision, giving advice on issues of particular local relevance.
3 The Cheshire and Warrington Local Access Forum will give advice on three main topics:
- the development of recreation and access strategies which cater for a wide range of people;
- improving the rights of way network;
- implementation, management and review of the statutory right of access to the countryside.
4 The Cheshire and Warrington Local Access Forum will work to:
- develop a constructive and inclusive approach to the improvement of recreational access to the countryside;
- respect local circumstances and different interest while operating within national guidance;
- provide advice on issues of principle and good practice which is consistent with national guidance;
- engage in constructive debate and seek consensus wherever possible;
- where consensus is not possible, make clear the nature of differing views and suggest how they might be resolved.
In carrying out these functions, the forum shall have regard to:
- the needs of land management
- the desirability of conserving the natural beauty of the area for which it is established, including
- the flora, fauna and geological and physiographical features of the area
- guidance given from time to time by the Secretary of State
- proper liaison with neighbouring authorities.
Membership
5 The membership will:
- be balanced to avoid dominance by any single interest group or coalition of like interests; and
- include a cross section of local interests in the countryside.
6 The membership will include:
- an independent chair; and
- an optimum number of 12 - 16 and a maximum of 20 members.
7 Members in total must bring a wide range of experience, including:
- recreational use, for example walking, riding, climbing, cycling;
- land management, for example tenants, landowners and occupiers and others with an interest in the land; and
- nature conservation, heritage, tourism, health, business, trade unions and transport.
8 Members not experienced in the topics at paragraph 7, or aligned with any particular interest group will be appointed as independent members. One of the independent members should be an elected representative of one of the local authorities that the forum advises.
9 The forum shall contain roughly equal numbers of members ascribed to each of the categories in paragraphs 7 and 8. Members who genuinely have experience and credibility in relation to the categories in paragraph 7 will be particularly useful.
10 Members will be appointed by the authority according to selection criteria which assess whether candidates have sufficient experience of access to the countryside to be able to make an informed and constructive contribution to improving local access provision.
11 Before appointment, members will be asked to confirm:
- their support of the positive purpose of the forum
- commitment to working within the terms of reference and achieving the aims of the forum through constructive working with other members; and
- that they are able to devote the necessary time to attend meetings, attend training and to network with a wide range of interests outside meetings.
Administration
12 Meetings will be held at least twice a year and more frequently when necessary.
13 Meeting agendas will be agreed between the Chairman and the Secretary.
14 Meetings will be advertised in advance and held in public.
15 Agendas, papers and minutes of the meeting will be available to the public.
16 The Chairman will invite observers to the meeting when appropriate.
17 Observers will be able to contribute at the meeting at the discretion of the Chairman.
18 The public will be able to ask questions on the business of the meeting at the discretion of the Chairman.
19 The lead authority will have the right to review the chairing
and membership of the forum on an annual basis if necessary. |