Archived decisions

REPORT OF THE

EXECUTIVE MEMBER FOR

RECREATION, HERITAGE AND COMMUNITIES

PART II

HAMPSHIRE COUNTRYSIDE ACCESS PLAN - COUNTY OVERVIEW

1 The Executive Member has approved the County Overview document for the Hampshire Countryside Access Plan for the period 2008 to 2013. It provides a comprehensive summary of the seven local area countryside access plans which review in detail the range of access to the countryside and rights of way. It reflects the duty under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 for the County Council to review the adequacy of its rights of way network and to publish improvement plans.

2 Over the past few years the local countryside access plans have been produced to cover various parts of Hampshire as follows:

    · Forest of Eversley

    · Hampshire Downs

    · Test and Itchen

    · New Forest and South West Hampshire

    · Solent

    · Forest of Bere

    · South Downs

    The preparation of these local countryside access plans involved full consultation and engagement with interested parties, including the Hampshire Countryside Access Forum.

3 The production of the final county overview was guided by the following principles and objectives, that the County Council would:

    · look after a wide range of popular countryside sites and rights of way for people to enjoy safely

    · deliver a high profile and responsive service to the residents of Hampshire

    · provide a high quality service and good value for money

    · work together with individuals and partner organisations to promote understanding of Hampshire's countryside and influence its future for the benefit of our communities and environment

    · seek people's views and involvement in planning and delivering the service

    · work innovatively with partners to achieve shared objectives

    · equip ourselves with the skills and expertise to be a leader in the field

    · work with other departments to deliver the County Council's corporate objectives

    · report on what we do and share achievements

4 The Hampshire Countryside Access Plan - County Overview has also been the subject of scrutiny by the Culture and Communities Select Committee, who supported its approach and commended its contents. Following adoption, the document will form the rights of way improvement plan for Hampshire and will guide the work priorities of the countryside service over the next five years. It therefore fits in well with the corporate priority of enhancing our quality of place.

5 Copies of the full document have been placed in the Members' Rooms, and can also be viewed at /decisions/decisions-docs/080717-exerec-R0711143946

                    MARGARET SNAITH
                    Executive Member for Recreation Heritage and Communities

4IR48808