Agenda item

-        Presentation by Ken Whetter, Forum Chair

Ken Whetter, Chair of the Rotherham Local Access Forum, gave the following powerpoint presentation:-

The Local Access Forum (LAF) is

-          A voluntary group of people interested in public access to land including walkers, cyclists, horse riders, motorised trail riders, disability rights representatives and landowners

-          A statutory body that was set up in every Local Authority in England under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000

-          A group that is supported administratively by Rotherham Borough Council and meets around every 3 months to decide and oversee improvements to the network of rights of way and public land

What does the LAF do?

-          Provides advice on improvement of public access to land

-          For the purposes of open air recreation, enjoyment and any lawful purpose

-          “Land” not clearly defined in the Act but includes buildings and other structures and land covered with water and excludes any land to which access which cause trespass or an offence

-          Covers all users when advising on improvements to public access including canoes and motorised vehicles.  Excludes vehicles when advising on access for any other lawful purpose apart from on byways

What does the LAF advise?

Mainly

-          The appointing Local Authority, that is RMBC

-          Any county, unitary, district or borough council within the Forum’s area

-          The Secretary of State (that is any Government Department)

-          Natural England

-          The Forestry Commission

-          English Heritage

But also

-          Sport England

-          Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Conservation Boards

-          Parish and Town Councils

How does the LAF work?

-          The Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP)

-          Links with other plans e.g. the Local Transport Plan

-          Influencing decision makers and seeking feedback from them

-          Forum meetings

-          Sub-groups

-          Site visits

-          Keeping in touch with neighbouring LAFs and the Regional LAF

-          Keeping in touch with public opinion

-          Focusing on relevant issues and prioritising activities

-          Annual reports and measuring effectiveness

So what has the LAF ever done for Rotherham?

-          Improvements in specific parishes

-          Influencing major restructural developments e.g. Waverley, Kiveton, Dinnington

-          Supporting funding applications for major access improvement schemes e.g. Connect 2 route into Rother Valley Country Park; the Bluebell Way

-          Advising on highway improvement schemes e.g. A57 at Todwick and on Sheffield Parkway

-          Advising on local transport improvement projects e.g. Rotherham to Sheffield riverside and canal paths

-          Managing an annual CROW improvement budget which is separate from the normal maintenance ROW budget

What next for the LAF?

-          Deliver the Annual Plan for 2013/14.  Review our ROWIP

-          Extend the “reach” of the LAF by linking better with key strategic bodies with shared interests e.g. Health and Wellbeing Board; Canal and Rivers Trust; Green Infrastructure; HS2 Ltd.

-          Advise RMBC and other bodies on the prioritisation of public access improvements, focusing on areas of the Borough currently not well provided for

Suggested areas of mutual interest between Health and Wellbeing and LAF

-          Creating and encouraging healthy lives and physically active communities

-          Access to national and local information to inform decision making

-          Improving public access for all

-          Encouraging greater use of existing network of paths and rights of way and trails

-          Building in public access routes in major new planning developments

-          Joint initiatives

Discussion ensued on the presentation with the following issues raised:-

·           Investigate possible linkages with the Rotherham Rivers Project and the Rotherham Active Partnership

·           Circulate the 16 point action plan once available to the Health and Wellbeing Board

·           Strengthen involvement with Rotherham Access Group

The Chairman thanked Ken for his presentation.