Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Recreation and Heritage Item 11

23 March 2006

Recruitment to New Forest Access Forum

Report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage

Contact: Andrew Smith ext 6003 e-mail: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The County Council is required to establish a Local Access Forum by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, to advise on and promote improvements in access to the countryside. Members have agreed the membership for the second three year term of Hampshire Countryside Access Forum, as the Local Access Forum for Hampshire (excluding the New Forest) including Portsmouth and Southampton. This report considers recruitment to New Forest Access Forum, including County Council representation, as the Local Access Forum for the New Forest area.

2. Background

2.1 The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (`CROW Act') requires local highway authorities to appoint a Local Access Forum. The duty of the forum under the Act is to advise the Council, and any other body which has functions relating to access over land in the area, on the improvement of public access to this land for the purposes of open-air recreation and the enjoyment of the area.

2.2 In September 2005, the Executive Member approved the membership of Hampshire Countryside Access Forum for the following three years. At that time, it was reported that:

"Now that the New Forest National Park Authority is in place, they are required under the CROW Act to establish their own Local Access Forum. Members will be pleased to hear that the National Park Authority has decided to retain the existing `New Forest Access Forum', which has been working well with the Hampshire Forum as its sub-group. This should ensure good co-ordination in the future. For its next term, Hampshire Countryside Access Forum will therefore advise on Hampshire (excluding the New Forest), Portsmouth and Southampton."

2.3 Although the large majority of land covered by the New Forest Access Forum lies within the National Park, small areas of Hampshire around the periphery of the park are included, along the Waterside (including Marchwood, Hythe and Fawley), Lymington, Ringwood, Fordingbridge and the Damerham/Whitsbury/Martin area. Therefore, the Forum will continue as a joint Local Access Forum, with the National Park Authority and Hampshire County Council as Appointing Authorities. The National Park Authority will be the lead authority, providing secretarial support and greater officer time.

2.4 The National Park Authority have recently been working with HCC officers to recruit to New Forest Access Forum for the coming 3 year term.

3. Recruitment

3.1 Applications were invited through articles in the local press and direct contact with relevant interest groups and individuals, including existing members, in the same way as for the Hampshire Forum, and using similar documentation.

3.2 It is proposed that one place be reserved for a member of the National Park Authority and one place for a member of Hampshire County Council; this arrangement is consistent with the regulations and with good practice nationally.

3.3 Members of the National Park Authority agreed at their 16 February meeting that the selection of members be delegated to officers, and that Councillor Kathy Heron be appointed as their representative (this to be reviewed annually).

3.4 It is proposed that a recruitment panel comprising two officers from each authority, Councillor Heron, and any additional Hampshire Councillor appointed to the Forum, examine applications from members of the public and determine membership for the next three year term of the Forum.

4. County Council Representation

4.1 The National Park Authority have elected Councillor Kathy Heron as their representative and therefore the County Council can still nominate a Councillor to represent HCC. Consultation has been undertaken with a view to a nomination being announced at Decision Day on 23 March 2006.

5. Impact Assessment

5.1 No financial, personnel or other adverse impact is anticipated.

Recommendation

That the Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage:

(i) Approves the proposed recruitment panel for New Forest Access Forum.
(ii) Considers Hampshire County Council representation on the Forum, the name to be agreed and announced at the Decision Day on 23 March 2006, following consultation.

Section 100D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

1. `The Local Access Forum (England) Regulations 2002', published by DEFRA

2. Report to Recreation and Heritage Policy Review Committee meeting of 15 September and to the Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage decision day of 21 September 2005 `Proposed Appointments to Hampshire Countryside Access Forum'.