Local Access Forum - Hampshire Countryside Access Forum

Making improvements to public access for outdoor recreation and sustainable travel

It is a legal requirement for every county council, unitary council and national park authority to establish and support a Local Access Forum.

The Hampshire Countryside Access Forum (HCAF) is the statutory joint Local Access Forum for Hampshire, Southampton and Portsmouth.

The role of the Forum

HCAF advises the County Council and other organisations on improving opportunities to enjoy Hampshire’s countryside and coast. The Forum encourages and assists access provision and gives strategic advice on issues of particular local relevance (e.g. policies for the management and maintenance of rights of way; development and delivery of the Countryside Access Plan).

The Forum is independent of any council or interest group – it comprises local members of the public with a wealth of experience in aspects of countryside recreation and rights of way. Members are volunteers, appointed to represent an interest rather than a specific organisation. They are balanced between those who use paths (walkers, horse-riders, carriage drivers, cyclists, disabled users and vehicle users), those who provide access (farmers, land managers etc) and other interests (e.g. conservation, education). It is this wide range of interests which enables the Forum to provide balanced advice.

Membership

Members are jointly appointed by Hampshire County Council (HCC), Southampton City Council and Portsmouth City Council, for a 3-year term. The current term will end in summer 2017.

Current members and area of interest

  • Rachel Bryan Chair (Volunteering)
  • Sue Coles (Cycling)
  • Cllr Alicia Denny (Portsmouth City Council)
  • Robin Edwards (Landowners/managers)
  • Lyell Fairlie (Farming)
  • Graham Flatt (Access and community planning)
  • Melanie Fortescue (Motor vehicles)
  • Cllr Edward Heron (Hampshire County Council)
  • Gail Johnson (Carriage driving)
  • Paul Knipe (Conservation)
  • Mark Ludlow (Land management)
  • Alan Marlow (Walking)
  • Lindsay Marshall (Farming)
  • Gill Plumbley (Horse riding)
  • Alan Taylor (Vice-Chair) (Land management practices)
  • Isaac Walker (Young people)
  • Nigel Wolstenholme (Land management)
  • Aileen Wood (Young people/education)
  • Jim Morey (People with disabilities)
  • Andy Whincup (Off-road cycling)

Meetings

The Forum meets four times a year. Most meetings are held at the Hampshire County Council offices in Winchester.

The agenda for each meeting and any supporting documents will be available approximately one week before the meeting.

Meetings are open to the public. Questions can be submitted or representations made at meetings, provided notice of at least two weeks is given to the Forum Officer. Contact the Forum Officer for further information.

Minutes

20 June 2017 - Agenda and papers

  • Date of next meeting
  • 20 June 2017
Projects and advice

Providing Access to Hampshire’s Heritage

In 2010 the Hampshire Countryside Access Forum was awarded almost £50,000 for the Providing Access to Hampshire's Heritage (PATHH) project. Over 100 volunteers undertook research to find historic evidence for routes identified to have a modern need as outlined in the Countryside Access Plan. Workshops were also delivered to 14 schools across the county, talks were given to 21 organisations and an exhibition featured in 26 venues.

Countryside Access Plans (ROWIPs)

The Forum has guided all 3 authorities on the approach to preparing their Rights of Way Improvement Plans (locally termed Countryside Access Plans) and continue to be involved in their delivery through membership of the CAP working groups and regular progress reports. In addition, items on the Forum’s agenda frequently relate to widespread/strategic issues identified through these plans.