Local Access Forum

The South Downs Local Access Forum advises the National Park Authority and others on how best to manage access to the countryside in the National Park.  It is an independent statutory body with seventeen members  who represent the views of recreational users, land managers and others with an interest in countryside access. The main function of this group is to look at how the public rights of way network and access land is managed and improved. Forum members will also be asked to comment on broader access, transport and countryside subjects.

A Local Access Forum is a statutory body and, by law, the organisations that they give advice to must have regard to that advice.

A Local Access Forum needs to have a range of members that reflect the views of both land managers and recreational users of the countryside. The forum may also have members who represent the interests of conservation, tourism, people with disabilities, transport or other interests.

The function of the Local Access Forum is to advise on the improvement of public access to land for the purposes of open-air recreation and the enjoyment of the area.

In carrying out its functions, the Local Access Forum shall have regard to;

• The needs of land management
• The desirability of conserving the natural beauty of the area for which it is established, including the flora, fauna and geological and physiographical features of the area

The minutes of the South Downs Local Access Forum can be downloaded from the previous meetings section below.

Forthcoming Meetings

The next meeting will be: Thursday 30 November 2017

Venue: South Downs Centre, Midhurst. GU29 9DH.

Minutes from Previous Meetings

• 26 July 2017:
  • Agenda
  • SDLAF Terms of Reference
  • Agenda Item 4 – Unconfirmed minutes of previous meeting
  • Agenda Item 5a – Annex 1 – National Trail Options
  • Agenda Item 5b
  • Agenda Item 5c – Problem and Objective Tree – National Trails
  • Agenda Item 12b – SDNPA Entry Signage Presentation
• 25 April 2017 – South Downs Centre, Midhurst. POSTPONED
• 16 February 2017
• 21 October 2016
• 20 July 2016
• 26 April 2016
• 12 January 2016
• 27 October 2015
• 28 July 2015
• 22 April 2015
• 13 January 2015
• 15 October 2014
• 22 July 2014
• 1 April 2014
• 21 January 2014
• 17 October 2013
• 18 July 2013
• 18 April 2013
• 22 January 2013
• 9 October 2012
• 17 July 2012
• 24 April 2012
• 12 January 2012
• 13 October 2011
• 14 July 2011
• 16 May 2011

Annual Report

This brief report provides an insight into the activities of the Forum over the last eighteen months. A wide range of outdoor access related topics have been considered at LAF meetings and strategic advice has been given to both local and national organisations. The SDLAF has made representations concerning access at two public inquiries and undertaken site visits relating to improvement works on shared use paths.

• 2015/16 Annual Report
• 2014/15 Annual Report
• 2013/14 Annual Report
• 2012/13 Annual Report

Current Consultations

• None

Terms of Reference

The South Downs Local Access Forum has Terms of Reference which sets out its purpose, membership, administration and voting procedures.

The South Downs Local Access Forum has also agreed its principles for aiming  to reach consensus in making decisions about the advice it gives.

Governance at SDLAF Meetings – Consensus Aim

Further information

Local Access Forums were created by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. For information on the regulations that govern how they are set up and run, as well as government guidance on how they work and what they do, visit Natural England’s Local Access Forums webpage.

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