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Brighton & Hove Local Access Forum
The Brighton & Hove Local Access Forum is a body whose purpose is to give advice to the City Council and Natural England on managing and improving access to the countryside.
The fourth annual report is now available to view online or download: Brighton & Hove Local Access Forum Annual Report Nov 2006 - Nov 2007 [PDF 585kb]
The members of the forum represent interests including farming, walking, horse riding, people with disabilities, youth, health, tourism, landscape and conservation.
Dates of future meetings
|
7pm, Thursday 26th February 2009, Committee Room 3, Hove Town Hall |
7pm, Thursday 21st May 2009, Committee Room 3, Hove Town Hall |
7pm, Thursday 9th July 2009, Committee Room 3, Hove Town Hall |
6.30pm, Thursday 22nd October 2009 |
- The inaugural meeting was held at Hove Town Hall on 9 October 2003: 9.10.03 [MS Word 49kb]
- 27.11.03 [MS Word 50kb]
2004 meeting minutes:
- 28.01.04 [MS Word 34kb]
- 24.03.04 [MS Word 40kb]
- 26.05.04 [MS Word 39kb]
- 22.07.04 [MS Word 46kb]
- 7.10.04 [MS Word 52kb]
- AGM 04 [MS Word 74kb]
2005 meeting minutes:
2006 meeting minutes:
2007 meeting minutes:
- 7.02.07 [MS Word 46kb]
- 31.05.07 [MS Word 41kb]
- 18.07.07 [MS Word 38kb]
- 20.09.07 [MS Word 39kb]
- 25.10.07 [MS Word 41kb]
2008 meeting minutes:
2009 meeting dates:
- 26.02.09
- 21.05.09
- 9.07.09
- 22.10.09
Information about Brighton & Hove Local Access Forum
Introduction
The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 places a duty on Highway Authorities and National Park Authorities for any area to establish a Local Access Forum (LAF) for that area. The Act defines these authorities as appointing authorities. The LAF is an advisory body with no executive powers. However the appointing authority and Natural England must have regard to it's advice.
The main purpose of the LAF is to give advice on the improvement of public access in the area. Some of the issues that may be addressed include;
- Management of Access Land
- Rights of Way Improvement Plans
- Recreation, transport and access strategies
- Appointment of wardens on access land
- Local restrictions
- Proposals for bylaws on access land
The forum is able to set its own agenda and give advice on any issues concerning public access that it feels falls within its remit.
The forum must, in carrying out its function, have regard to
- the needs of land management
- conserving the natural beauty
- protection of flora and fauna, and geographical and physiographical features
- guidance given by the Secretary of State
Membership
The membership must have a balance of numbers between members who are landowners and members who are countryside users. Elected members of the Council may be members of the forum (maximum 3). The following balance is desired:
- Landowner/occupier 5
- User representatives 5
- Others (inc. elected members) 12
- Total 22
The chairman and vice-chairman are elected each year at the Annual General Meeting.
Members all have an active interest in countryside issues. They may have a background in land management, recreation, conservation or rural business. They may possibly have a range of interests in the use of the countryside or bring a fresh approach from groups not normally associated with or excluded from countryside access.
Members are expected to be able to work towards consensus and be part of a team. They will have the ability to liase with others and discuss and disseminate information.
Members are not expected to simply be representatives of their particular interest group but to act in an individual capacity aiming towards forming advice which will benefit the people of Brighton & Hove.
Membership is for a period of three years. Members can re-apply for membership at the end of their membership period.
South Downs Access Forum
Until such time as the proposed South Downs National Park comes into existence the South Downs Access Forum will give advice pertaining to the national park area via the local access forums of the four local authorities covering the downs. In order to maintain close links over this area each of local access forums has a member who also sits on the South Downs Access Forum.