of Local Access Forum

All Local Authorities and National Park Authorities are required under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (‘CRoW Act’) to establish a Local Access Forum to provide strategic advice on ‘the improvement of public access to land in that area for the purposes of open-air recreation and the enjoyment of the area, and as to such other matters as may be prescribed’.

Bedford Borough Council set up a Local Access Forum for the Borough following the winding up of the and Joint Local Access Forum In March 2010. This Forum is known as the ‘ Local Access Forum’ and it began meeting in April 2010.

Locally our Forum aims ‘To provide guidance and contribute towards improving opportunities to enjoy the Borough of Bedford’s countryside and open spaces and to improve the management of outdoor access throughout the Borough.’

And works to:-

• Promote the appropriate use of opportunities to enjoy the countryside, including appropriate use by people using cycles and walking with dogs.

• Advise upon the appropriate management and maintenance of access, balancing the provision of access against the needs of biodiversity, wildlife management and of land owners and managers.

• Advise on developing additional opportunities for everyone to enjoy the rights of way and access network, in particular for those with disabilities.

• Ensure that the necessary resources are available to fulfil Forum aims and to deliver agreed improvements.

The membership of this group is balanced between different interests in the countryside which includes countryside users, land managers or owners plus local interest groups. Forum members need to recognise the validity of the views of others, be independent of the views of any particular organisation and to seek consensus on their advice given in meetings. The members provide well-argued, unbiased advice and the CRoW Act requires Councils and the Natural to take this advice seriously.

The Forum consists of up to 12 local volunteers recruited from across the Borough who have a broad range of skills and life experiences with a genuine interest in all sorts of countryside matters. They serve for up to three years and attend a minimum of four and a maximum of six meetings each year at various locations around the Borough for which expenses are available. There is training for members to ensure we have an effective Access Forum.

In addition to members of the Forum, member of the public and other observers may attend meetings and can comment but cannot vote; these can include officers from the authorities and Natural England, who are overseeing Local Access Forums across the country.

How to get involved

• Volunteer, apply to join the Forum when vacancies arise

• Come along to a Forum meeting, ask a question and find out what is going on

• Visit the web site http://www.bedford.gov.uk/ for more information on meetings and download agendas, minutes, reports and other papers

• Find out who the Forum members are and talk to them about countryside recreation and access matters

Contact us

Borough of Bedford Local Access Forum

Phill Fox Outdoor Access Development Officer Outdoor Access and Rights of Way Team Borough Hall Cauldwell Street Bedford MK42 9AP

Telephone 01234 276070 E-mail [email protected]