Cornwall Countryside Access Forum

• Dates to be confirmed

To view the minutes and agendas of the Cornwall Countryside Access Forum meetings please follow the following:  

CCAF minutes and Agendas

The Forum formally meets four times a year. Working group meetings may also be held to ensure Cornwall Council and the Countryside Agency receive timely advice. The advice is then used to inform mapping and restriction management procedures. In March 2004 Cornwall published its open country and registered common land provisional maps. 

Public meetings are usually held at County Hall, Truro. This may vary from time to time with some occasional working group meetings or site visits also being held.

Cornwall Council provides a Forum secretary. Who's role it is to arrange meetings, agree agendas with the Chairman and circulate papers. Assisting the Chairman to run the Forum. (according to the Local Access Forums (England) Regulations 2007). Produce minutes and facilitate the provision of information to the public. They are the link between the Forum, Cornwall Council, Natural England, DEFRA. As well as linking with other local access forums.

The Secretary will report, as appropriate, the views of the Forum to the relevant officers and committees of Cornwall Council. They will report back to the Forum on any responses or action taken following its advice.

The Forum is required to produce a short Annual Report for Natural England.

Allowances

The Chairman, Vice Chairman and Members are appointed on a voluntary basis. They are able to claim for reasonable travel expenses for meetings. As well as approved training events and visits. In line with the Cornwall Council's Members' Allowances Scheme.

Members of the forum are recruited annually.  This page describes:

• the requirements for those wishing to apply in terms of relevant experience
• the level of commitment expected
• required knowledge and skills
• any additional factors considered

The table below also indicates if these requirements are essential or desirable.  As well as how they will be identified (application and/or interview).

Regulations require a balance of Members representing the two main interest groups. Users of the rights of access and rights of way, and owners or occupiers of access land or land crossed by rights of way.

Regulations encourage representation of other interests especially those relevant to the local area. Such as tourism, sport and recreation, health, outdoor education and local business interests.

Member appointment is for a mixture of one, two and three years. This has allowed for the staggered replacement of Members over time, so, providing continuity to the Forum. Regulations dictate that appointments can only be between one and three years. With Members being eligible for reappointment. New appointments would be made for three years to provide some continuity. But, where vacancies arise appointments may be made for either one or two years to maintain balance.

The lower and upper limits to the size of the Forum (10 and 22) are set out in the Regulations. To maintain 20 Members, Cornwall Council looks to balance an effective size with a broad representation of interests.

Regulations restrict the number of Members of a council or national park authority. With three members of Cornwall Council appointed to the Forum.

The Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Forum are elected at each Annual Meeting to serve for one year. There is no restriction upon the number of years these offices are held, providing the Member remains appointed to the Forum.

Members will be sought who can bring a wide range of experience, including that of:

• general recreational use. E.g. walking, riding, cycling, limited mobility access;
• land management. E.g. farming, forestry, common land management;
• land ownership. E.g. landowners, occupiers and tenants; and
• wildlife conversation, cultural heritage conservation. Tourism, sport and active recreational pursuits (such as climbing, fishing).  Health, outdoor education, the military and local business interests

Defra encourage authorities to account for the needs of:

• young people,
• women,
• people on low incomes, and
• people with disabilities

Applications from individuals from under represented areas and with appropriate experience are welcome.

Secretarial support is provided by Cornwall Council through electronic communications to Members. Members would find it useful to have access to email and the internet, although this is not a requirement.

For more information please contact the Secretary's representative. Lynne Beardsmore, on 01579 341243 or by email: ccaf@cornwall.gov.uk.

A register of interests for members of the Cornwall Countryside Access Forum below:
 
Details of the Registered Interests of the Members of the Forum will be added soon

The Cornwall Countryside Access Forum does not have the power to make decisions. It advises Cornwall Council on how to perform executive functions in relation to public rights of way and countryside access.

The Forums primary purpose is to advise bodies specified in Section 94(4) of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CROW). This includes Cornwall Council. Advising on making the countryside more accessible and enjoyable for open air recreation. In ways to address social, economic and environmental interests. It encourages and assists access provision. Giving strategic advice on issues of particular relevance to Cornwall. It is expected to improve liaison between interest groups and link with other forums.

It gives advice on three main topics:

• the development of recreation and access strategies. Catering for a wide range of people
• the improvement of the rights of way network and
• implementation, management and review of the statutory right of access to the countryside

It also aims to:

• develop a constructive and inclusive approach to improvement of countryside recreational access
• respect local circumstances and different interests. Whilst operating within national guidance
• provide advice on issues of principle and good practice. Consistent with national guidance
• engage in constructive debate and seek consensus wherever possible
• where consensus is not possible, make clear the differing views and suggest resolution

Developing recreation and access strategies

The Forum also has a role in providing advice to a range of bodies specified in the Regulations in terms of:

• improvement of public access to land in the area. Whether by foot, horse, cycle, canoe, mechanically propelled vehicle or any other lawful means. For the purposes of open air recreation and the enjoyment of the area
• public access to land in the area. For any other lawful purpose. Whether on foot, horse, cycle, canoe or by any means other than mechanically propelled vehicle
• public access to land in the area by means of a mechanically propelled vehicle. For any other lawful purpose but only in so far as the access relates to byways open to all traffic (BOAT).

In giving advice the Forum aims to influence with independent, constructive, incisive and informed comment. Taking account of a broad range and balance of local interests.

Improving the rights of way network

Access authorities are required to prepare Rights of Way Improvement Plans. Under Section 60 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. The plans aims are to review their rights of way network adequacy. As well as propose action to secure an improved network.

The Forum gives strategic advice to Cornwall Council on:

• reviews of rights of way. Including the extent to which local rights of way meet the present and likely future needs of the public
• the draft Rights of Way Improvement Plan before publication;
• the results of public consultation on the draft Plan. With any particularly significant issues which have arisen
• the priorities for the action plans which follow from the review and
• progress in implementing the action plan.
• The Forum takes a strategic approach to its work on rights of way. Advising on cases of national significance which have implications for local access provision.

Implementation, Management and Review of the statutory right of access to the countryside

The Forum advises and assists in the introduction, management and review of the statutory right of countryside access. Natural England has the power to close land or apply restrictions to the right of access. On the grounds of nature conservation, heritage, specific land management needs. As well as danger of fire, or other danger to the public.

Natural England may not be able to consult the Forum on each application for local restrictions, especially on short notice. But, it will aim to consult on applications for all extensive or longer-term local restrictions to access.

Annual Review Form

View the Annual Report

Cornwall Countryside Access Forum Constitution

View the Cornwall Countryside Access Forum Constitution

Member contact details

Contact details for the members of the forum will be added soon.

Please follow the links below to organisations that Cornwall Countryside Access Forum feel may be useful.

Walking

• Ramblers Association and Ramblers Association Cornwall.   Britain's walking charity. Information about local groups and organised walks in Cornwall
• South West Coast Path Association.  A charity that works to ensure the path is one of the best walks in the world. Protecting it for all to enjoy.  Information on walks, maps, accommodation and latest news

Horse riding

• British Horse Society.  Foremost and most influential equestrian charity in the UK. Representing the interests of 3.5 million people in the UK who ride or who drive horse-drawn vehicles
• The Pony Club.  An international voluntary youth organisation. Dedicated to encouraging young people to ride and care for horses and ponies

Cycling

• CTC.  A national cycling charity promoting all forms of cycling
• Sustrans.  The leading UK charity enabling people to travel by foot, bike or public transport

Dog walking

• Beach Guide for Dogs Cornwall.  Information on accessibility to dogs on Cornwall's beaches

Off road driving

• Trail Riders Fellowship. The largest, national, voluntary and non-competitive body for trail riding

Land Managers

• National Farmers Union (NFU). The largest member organisation/industry association for farmers in England and Wales. With over 300 branch offices
• Country Land and Business Association (CLA).  A membership organisation for owners of land, property and business. In rural England and Wales
• National Federation of Young Farmers.  One of the largest UK rural youth organisations. Dedicated to young people with a love for agriculture and rural life
• National Trust.  A UK conservation charity. Protecting historic places and green spaces

Conservation

• The Conservation Volunteers.  Green Gym at Tuckingmill Valley Park. A charitable volunteer organisation for environmental conservation
• British Trust for Ornithology. An independent charitable research institute combining professional and citizen science. Informing the public, environmental policy and decision-makers on wildlife population changes (particularly birds)
• Cornwall Wildlife Trust.  A registered charity dedicated to Cornish environment and wildlife conservation

Government

• Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs. Government department. Responsible for policy and regulations on environmental, food and rural issues
• Natural England. The Government adviser on the natural environment. Providing practical scientific advice on how to look after England's landscapes and wildlife

Other interest groups

• The British Mountaineering Council.  A National representative body for England and Wales. Protecting the freedoms and promoting the interests of climbers, hill walkers and mountaineers
• Open Spaces Society.  A UK campaigning group working to protect public rights of way and open spaces. Including common land and village greens
• Cornwall Orienteering Club.  Promoting orienteering in and around Cornwall.

Other Local Access Forums

Please find below other access forums that you may find useful:

• Devon Countryside Access Forum
• Hampshire Countryside Access Forum
• Somerset Local Access Forum
• Wiltshire and Swindon Countryside Access Forum