Introduction
A National Access Forum has been established to assist with implementation of the access rights. This body brings together all relevant interests and has a broad advisory role, helping SNH to keep the Scottish Outdoor Access Code under review, and advising SNH and others on a wide range of other matters relating to the new legislation. The Forum will also support local access forums, which will have an important role in resolving any difficulties which may arise at local level. Further information about local access forums can be found here.
The structure, functions and membership of the Access Forum were developed in the light of consultation undertaken by SNH in 2003, and are described in more detail in the SNH consultation report .
Members representing recreation and land management will be reviewed during 2008, with other members being reviewed during 2009. The present Convenor, Bob Reid, reaches the end of his term during 2008 and the forum is also therefore looking to elect a new Convenor. All forum members can put forward nominees, and if you would like further information about this process, or the wider forum review, please contact the Secretary at the address below.
To find out more about the Access Forum, or make comments or representations on Forum papers, please contact:
Mark Wrightham
Access Forum Secretary
Scottish Natural Heritage
Great Glen House
Leachkin Road
INVERNESS
IV3 8NW
Switchboard : 01463 725000
Email: mark.wrightham@snh.gov.uk
The Forum also includes a designated contact for local access forums who may wish to raise specific issues for discussion. Please get in touch with Simon at the contact details below:
Simon Pilpel
Landscape & Access Development Manager
South Lanarkshire Countryside & Greenspace
Chatelherault Country Park
Ferniegair
Carlisle Road
Hamilton
ML3 7UE
Tel: 01698 543421
Mobile: 07795 453825
Email: Simon.Pilpel@southlanarkshire.gsx.gov.uk
What does the Access Forum do?
The first national Access Forum was set up in 1994, with SNH support, as a voluntary association of land management and recreation bodies, and relevant public bodies. The aim of this Forum was to promote debate between the key interests on a wide range of issues relating to access to the outdoors. SNH conducted a public consultation during 2003 to consider the functions, structure, membership and administration of a new National Access Forum, to assist with the implementation of the new access rights.
In the light of the consultation and discussion with the previous Forum, SNH has established a new National Access Forum, to:
advise SNH and other bodies on national issues arising from the access legislation;advise on the effectiveness of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, and on work to publicise and promote it;advise on best practice in access provision and management; advise on other access-related issues of national importance which relate to responsible enjoyment of the outdoors, and;liaise with local access forums and advise SNH on their consistency in dealing with issues arising from the legislation.
The new Forum therefore has a broad remit and will be critical in making the new access rights work. Agendas, minutes and other Forum papers can be found on this website which you can explore through the links on the left hand side here. National Access Forum pages include more details on:
HistoryMembershipAchievementsMeetings
|
