Type of Website: Local Access Forum

The Category Local Access Forums is a subset of United Kingdom Rights of Way.

'Join a Local Access Forum to advise local decision-makers on rights of way and green space; find out how to contact each LAF in England.'

Natural England

Local Access Forums Map [Natural England]

'A Local Access Forum is a group of representatives with a range of interests in access, who come together to discuss how to develop, manage and promote access locally. Generally the LAF includes representatives from: * Users (eg representing walkers, cyclists, horse riders, people with disabilities and water sports); * Land managers (eg bodies representing farming, estates and businesses, forestry); * Public agencies (eg  access authority, local enterprise company, Scottish Natural Heritage, Forestry Commission); * Community interests (eg representing the community council, local residents' association).'

Primary purposes are to: [1] Improve the quality and extent of access to the countryside and coasts of Wales - - - : [2] Extend the opportunities for enjoyment and responsible outdoor recreation to all.

Natural Resources Wales

'The Council is looking for people who are passionate about the countryside, promoting access for all and can contribute positively to the work of the LCAF. No formal qualifications are needed to become a member, but interested people will ideally have a broad range of knowledge, interest and experience relevant to countryside access.'

Bracknell Forest Council

'The Forum’s members are volunteers appointed to give a broad mix of interests including countryside visitors, landowners and occupiers, parish councils, nature conservation and other relevant subjects. Up to three Councillors from the Local Authority may also be members of the LAF ... There are currently vacancies for members who could represent the countryside access interests of landowners, businesses and minority groups.'

City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council

'The Forum is a semi-independent body which advises on improving public access to land within the Broads Authority's executive area.'

Broads Authority

'An independent advisory body of 14 volunteers, giving informed strategic advice to the Rights of Way and Access Group.'

Buckinghamshire County Council

'The Bury Local Access Forum has replaced the Greater Manchester Pennine Fringe Local Access Forum. It is a statutory advisory body made up of volunteers who are interested in countryside access issues.'

Bury Council

'Calderdale has the largest density of Open Access Land of any district access authority in England. Its access facilities also include a very high density of public rights of way, the National Trust land at Hardcastle Craggs, Yorkshire Water access facilities and much more.'

Calderdale Council

'The main remit of the group is to advise the County Council, as well as District Councils, on the management of the County's public rights of way. The advice of the group is to ensure the continued improvement and protection of public rights of way in Cambridgeshire for the purposes of open air recreation and the enjoyment of the countryside.'

'The Forum consists of up to 22 members, all volunteers giving their time and experience to improving countryside access for the future. Ability for each member to recognise the validity of the views of others and to seek consensus is vital, as is independence from the views of any particular organisation.'

Central Bedfordshire Council

'The Forum is a voluntary body with up to 22 members, appointed following advertising, which represents land managers and owners, users of land and those with other interests. The Forum advises the local authority and other bodies on access and recreation issues.'

Ceredigion County Council

'The Forum covers all of Cheshire East except for the part of the County inside the Peak District National Park - the National Park has its own Forum.'

Cheshire East Council

'Members of the Forum are volunteers and represent a balance between users of the rights of access and rights of way, owners or occupiers of access land or land crossed by rights of way and those with other interests, including wildlife conservation, cultural heritage, tourism, sport and recreation, health, outdoor education and local business interests.'

Cornwall Council

'Its membership is made up of people whose knowledge and experience relates to land access. There is a great range of expertise within the LAF, with both user and landowner interests being represented fairly.'

Durham County Council

'Our main purpose is to advise on improving public access to the countryside in Cumbria (excluding the National Parks) ... CLAF meetings are open to the public.'

Lake District Local Access Forum

'We set it up as a joint forum with Derby City Council following consultation with 304 organisations with related interests. It covers all of Derbyshire to the south and east of the Peak District National Park. The national park and the area of the county in the north west around Buxton and Glossop is covered by the Peak District Local Access Forum.'

Derbyshire County Council

'The Forum is a voluntary body with fifteen members, appointed following advertising, to represent land managers and owners, users of land and those with other interests. The Forum will advise the local authority and other bodies on access issues and will also consider wider strategic issues such as the Rights of Way Improvement Plan.'

Devon County Council

'The Forum has 21 members - 18 independent members and 3 representatives of Dorset County Council, Bournemouth and Poole Borough Councils.'

Dorset Council

'Local Authorities have a duty under the CROW Act to establish Local Access Forums and in this area East Riding of Yorkshire Council and Kingston upon Hull City Council have agreed and worked together to support the creation of a Joint LAF as a body that is independent of both local authorities.'

East Riding of Yorkshire Council

'Advice is provided to the Council and other organisations to improve access to the countryside for recreation whilst protecting wildlife and the landscape ... Meetings are open to the public ... You can download minutes of recent meetings.'

East Sussex County Council

'It is likely that the Forum will often be discussing contentious issues and that their advice will guide policies and actions of the County Council. Therefore, it is vital that the membership of the forum represents a wide range of interests and is balanced between the wish to increase access and the need to protect the landscape and its economic use ... We're looking for new members to join us, please contact the Secretary for more information.'

Essex Highways

'Offers strategic advice and comment to the County Council and Natural England on the improvement of access. This Forum consists of interest groups such as walkers, cyclists, equestrians, disabled users and landowners.  It advises the county council regarding access to the countryside and public rights of way matters.'

Gloucestershire County Council

'Hampshire Countryside Access Forum is an advisory body working to improve your enjoyment of Hampshire’s countryside whilst safe-guarding its future ... The New Forest and South Downs are outside this Forum's area – they are covered by our neighbouring Forums, the New Forest Access Forum and the South Downs Local Access Forum.'

Hampshire County Council

'The forum is a voluntary body with 22 members, appointed to represent landowners, users of the land and those with other interests. It advises the local authority and other bodies on access issues and also considers wider strategic issues such as the Herefordshire Rights of Way Improvement Plan.'

Herefordshire Council

'Forum members are appointed by the appointing authority (e.g. Isle of Wight Council) to represent the interests of people who use the right of access to open country and registered common land, and public rights of way, as well as owners/occupiers of land affected. Members can also be appointed to represent other interests relevant to the area such as tourism, sport or nature conservation.'

Isle of Wight Council

'The JLAF was established in July 2003 pursuant to a duty set out by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. Appointments to the JLAF are made so that there is a balance between landowner, user and other interests within the membership ... The JLAF's voluntary membership includes a variety of interests, including those of land managers, users and one Councillor from each authority involved .'

Bath & North East Somerset Council

'We're looking for enthusiastic, dedicated volunteers with the passion, knowledge and skills to help people enjoy the Garden of England. You may have experience in: [1] leisure and recreational activities including walking, horse riding, cycling, carriage driving and motor vehicle use of byways - - - : [2] farming or land management - - - : [3] nature conservation - - - : [4] history or archaeology - - - : [5] rural business - - - : [6] tourism - - - : [7] minority groups - - - : [8] access for disabled people'

Kent County Council

Access to full details of the Forum's quarterly Meetings including: [1] Agenda  - - - : [2] Attendance details - - - : [3] Agenda reports pack - - - : [4] Printed minutes

Lancashire County Council

'Meets around four times a year and has a membership of up to 12 members. You can find the minutes of meetings in the Documents section ... Forum members bring a wide range of experience, including recreational use (e.g. walking, riding, cycling) and land management, to the Forum ... If you would like to contact the Forum or register an interest in becoming a member, please email ...'

Leeds City Council

'Members of the public are welcome to attend all main meetings of the Forum ... The Forum covers the area of Leicestershire County Council. Another Forum covers the City of Leicester. The Forum debates topical countryside access and recreation issues and advises Government at all levels, and particularly the County Council.'

Leicestershire County Council

Where to walk in Leicestershire

There are two Forums in Lincolnshire: [1] Mid Lincolnshire Local Access Forum – a joint forum with NE Lincolnshire - - - : [2] South Lincolnshire & Rutland Local Access Forum – a joint forum with Rutland County Council.'

Lincolnshire County Council

'An advisory group appointed by the National Park Authority. The Forum has 13 members, including representatives for conservation, recreational groups, landowners / managers and a National Park Authority Board Member.'

Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park

'The L.O.A.F. is an advisory body to the Council in its role as the Area Access Authority. It has no executive powers but plays an important consultative and consensus building role on outdoor access related matters across Moray.'

'The statutory local access forum for the New Forest National Park and South West Hampshire (New Forest District Council area) as required under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. The appointing authorities are the New Forest National Park Authority and Hampshire County Council. The Forum is an independent body and is not bound by the policies of its appointing authorities.'

New Forest National Park

'The Norfolk Local Access Forum (NLAF) is currently seeking to recruit a variety of new members and invites applications from individuals who have a passion for the outdoors; with particular interests in public access ... The NLAF is looking for enthusiastic and proactive individuals with excellent communication skills and a drive to move things forward. An ability to discuss and consider a range of topics, issues and opinions with large groups and to work in partnership with others is absolutely essential to the role of a LAF member.'

Norfolk County Council

'The aim of the Forum is to advise on the improvement of public access for open-air leisure and the enjoyment of the area ... Applications are invited from persons interested in serving on the forum. If you are interested, please contact ...'

North Lincolnshire Council

Details of recent and upcoming Meetings plus of the Committee's Membership.

North Yorkshire County Council

North York Moors National Park Local Access Forum

'The correct administration of the NLAF means that each member must be uninstated and re-elected after a maximum of a 3 year period to keep the group open and fair. Membership of the NLAF may be applied for from Northamptonshire County Council, whose responsibility it is to ensure there is a reasonable balance in the representation of the interests of public access user groups and landowner/occupier groups. Members must serve in a personal capacity to represent public interests rather than the views of any particular organisations ... Members of the public are usually entitled to attend meetings, however we are currently looking to welcome new members to the Forum.'

Northamptonshire Highways

'An independent body with an interest in public rights of way and access to the countryside in our area ... The Forum covers the county of Northumberland and gives advice on three main areas: [1] Improving the Rights of Way network - - - : [2] Developing strategies for recreation and access which cater for a wide range of people - - - : [3] Implementing the statutory right of access to the countryside.'

Northumberland National Park

'The Forum will be consulted on two main topics: [1] Implementation and management of access to the open spaces within and peripheral to the city - - - : [2] Development of the public rights of way network within the city through the Rights of Way Improvement Plan'

'The Land Reform Scotland Act 2003 requires each Local Authority to set up at least one Local Access Forum to advise it, any other person or body who asks for advice, on issues that arise in relation to the management of outdoor access. Local Access Forums have a key role to play in outdoor access. It is hoped they will become valued new local institutions – independent, expert and trusted – that can help access authorities, land managers and access users.'

Orkney Islands Council

'OCAF meets two to three times per year and main meetings are open to the public ... Expressions of interest for new members are always welcomed all through the year.'

Oxfordshire County Council

'An independent group that meets regularly to review and advise the National Park Authority and Derbyshire County Council on improvements to public access to the countryside of the Peak District.'

Peak District National Park

'All Forum meetings are open to the public and you can find out where and when the next meeting is on the agendas, meetings and minutes page along with copies of meeting minutes.'

Plymouth City Council

'The Forum represents the interests of: [1] Landowners - - - : [2] Land managers - - - : [3] Conservation groups - - - : [4] Users of public paths and open spaces'

Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council

'The Sheffield LAF was formed in 2003 and has 14 members, who have been appointed for a maximum of 3 years each. The members represent the interests of landowners, land managers, conservation groups and users of public paths and open spaces. Vacancies sometimes exist for LAF members - contact us for further details. LAF meetings are generally held quarterly and are open to the public (although the public will generally not be able to speak).'

Sheffield City Council

'Shropshire's Outdoor Recreation Team manages approximately 5500km of public footpaths, bridleways, byways open to all traffic (BOATs) and restricted byways (RBs). These form a network of routes which run between villages, lead to and from towns, and provide access to the countryside. The Outdoor Recreation Team manage these routes to ensure that they're open and clearly signed on the ground, recorded at the correct status and available on the correct line ...'

Shropshire’s Great Outdoors

'The Forum has been set up under The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 to provide independent guidance to the council and other relevant organisations on sustainable access issues in the Borough.'.

Slough Borough Council

'In April 2002, the Snowdonia National Park established two Local Access Forums – one for the North, and one (jointly with Gwynedd Council) for the South of the National Park. The Forums were established in accordance with Regulations issued by Welsh Assembly Government and guidance from the Countryside Council for Wales. Membership is equally balanced between land management and recreation interests. Meetings are open to the public. The Membership must be reappointed every three years, in accordance with the Regulations. This was done in April 2014, and the process will be repeated early in 2017.'

Snowdonia National Park

'This Forum meets at least twice a year and covers the area of Somerset, with the exception of Exmoor National Park, which has its own forum. There are 16 members of which; 14 are members of the public and 2 are elected members from Somerset County Council and of the District/ Borough Councils. The members are representatives of 3 main fields of interest related to access to the countryside namely users, landowners and other interests such as tourism, economic regeneration, health and education. They are selected from applications received by us and have a 3 year term of office.'

Somerset County Council

'The Forum consists of 16 members who comprise a reasonable representation of individuals and bodies with an interest in outdoor access including land managers, recreational users and public bodies.'

South Ayrshire Council

'Advises the National Park Authority and others on how best to manage access to the countryside in the National Park. There are seventeen members of the South Downs Local Access Forum who represent the views of land managers, users and others with an interest in countryside access ...'

South Downs National Park Authority

'[1] Browse meetings and agendas for this committee - - - : [2] View contact details for the members of this committee - - - : [3] View attendance statistics - - - : [4] View declarations of interest'

Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council

'The Surrey Countryside Access Forum is looking to recruit new members. If you have a specific interest in land management and nature conservation, or are a landowner, and would like to have a say on issues relating to access to the countryside, please email ...'

Surrey County Council

'The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) Regulations enabled Joint Local Access Forums to be established: the Boroughs of Stockton on Tees, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough and Darlington formed a Joint Local Access Forum in September 2003 to consider and contribute to cross boundary initiatives.'

Hartlepool Borough Council

'The TLAF is made up of between 10 and 16 members with wide ranging interests. They can represent landowners and managers, users of access land (such as walkers, horse riders and cyclists) and other interests such as tourism, conservation, disability issues and outdoor sport.'

Torbay Council

'Every three years, interested members of the public are invited to apply to become a member of the LAF. The applications are assessed by the local authority and the successful members are appointed for a three year period. The authority also provides secretarial support to the LAF but the forum must set their own agendas with individual members actively encouraged to suggest agenda items and provide supporting papers where necessary.'

Torfaen County Borough

'An independent body with an interest in public rights of way and access to the countryside in our area. The Forum meets four times a year and new members are welcome.'

'Members of the Forum are appointed by the three authorities to serve a term of either two or three years. The Forum’s membership is made up of people with an interest in the countryside and access, though not necessarily representatives of organisations. Interests that it is hoped to have represented by the Forum include: [1] walking, cycling, horseriding and recreational motor vehicle use - - - : [2] landownership and land management - - - : [3] accessibility - - - : [4] tourism - - - : [5] access provision - - - : [6] relevant professions'

'West Sussex Local Access Forum (WSLAF) is an independent official body which covers the whole of the County, with the exception of the South Downs National Park which has its own Local Access Forum.'

West Sussex County Council

'Wigan Local Access Forum (LAF) is launching into a new era and we need your input now. Since Local Access Forums first started in 2002, there have been many changes in policies, priorities and resources for everyone everywhere; Wigan has been no exception. In response to this situation Wigan has reviewed the future role of the LAF and sees it as being an important consultee to major strategic and development projects which are being progressed by the Council and within the Borough.'

Wigan Council