Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Recreation and Heritage Item 11

Amended Decision

23 March 2006 Sheet

Recruitment to New Forest Access Forum

Report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage

 Contact: Andrew Smith ext 6003 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decisions are sought-:

That the Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage:

(i) Approves the proposed recruitment panel for New Forest Access Forum.
(ii) Recommends the Executive Member for Policy & Resources to approve the appointment of Councillor L.T. Dunsdon to serve as the County Council's representative on the New Forest Access Forum.

2. Reason

2.1 The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (`CROW Act') requires local highway authorities and national park authorities to appoint a Local Access Forum to advise on the improvement of public access to land within their area for the purposes of open-air recreation and the enjoyment.

2.2 In September 2005, the Executive Member appointed Hampshire Countryside Access Forum to advise on Hampshire (excluding the New Forest), Portsmouth and Southampton. This report concerns the Local Access Forum for the remaining area. Although the large majority of land in the New Forest area lies within the National Park (and so is that authority's responsibility for this purpose), small areas of Hampshire around the periphery of the Park are included. The New Forest Access Forum will therefore be a joint Forum appointed by the National Park Authority (lead authority) and Hampshire County Council.

2.3 The Forum will advise the National Park Authority and County Council on policy and strategy, ensuring consultation with interest groups prior to adoption. This is closely linked to Aim 2, Stewardship of the Environment, and to Aim 1, Maximising Life Opportunities.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected - 

None.

4. Conflicts of interest declared by the decision maker or other Executive Member consulted - None.

5. Dispensation by the Standards Committee

Not applicable.

6. Reasons for the matter being dealt with if urgent

Not applicable.

Approved by: Date: 

............................................ ...................................

Councillor Mrs. M. Snaith