What is a Local Access Forum (LAF)?
The Countryside & Rights of Way (CROW) Act 2000 required that LAFs would be set up in every Local Authority and National Park in England and Wales. They are bodies set up to advise as to the improvement of public access to land in that area for the purposes of open-air recreation and enjoyment of the area and to other matters as prescribed by the Welsh Government.
How were they set up?
The CROW Act placed a statutory duty on "appointing authorities" to establish a LAF in their area. Torfaen County Borough Council set up the first LAF in November 2002, appointing members with varied interests and experiences from local ramblers to estate managers, horse riders to farmers, trail riders to commoners. Every three years, the Authority must re-advertise for a new Local Access Forum, thus allowing new interested people to apply and swell the numbers of those members who have requested they remain on the forum.
Who do the LAF "advise"?
The forums are consulted by the Welsh Government, Natural Resources Wales, Torfaen County Borough Council and other bodies as may be prescribed in future regulations. These bodies have a duty to have a regard to relevant advice given by the LAF and in Torfaen the advice has been very valuable and of great assistance in many instances. (See the Annual Reports for a list of matters passed to the LAF for comment/advice).
Who makes up the LAF?
The LAF is made up of volunteers who have experience or an interest in countryside and access issues. There is a balanced mix between users and land-owners/managers, with a wide range of experience and interests. (See the list of members below) Each member is appointed in their own right, not as a representative of any particular group or body so they cannot appoint a deputy to attend in their place should they be unable to attend a meeting.
How often do they meet?
At present, the LAF meets every three months at the Civic Centre in Pontypool. The meetings are public and anyone may attend but only the LAF members can participate. Should a member of the public wish to raise a point at the LAF meeting, they can contact the secretary or the chairman and request they include their access issue on the agenda.
How do you become a member of the LAF?
Every three years, interested members of the public are invited to apply to become a member of the LAF. The applications are assessed by the local authority and the successful members are appointed for a three year period. The authority also provides secretarial support to the LAF but the forum must set their own agendas with individual members actively encouraged to suggest agenda items and provide supporting papers where necessary.
The present members are as follows:
- Mr Edwin Gulliford, Blaenavon, Chairman
- Ms. Veronica Brannovic Pontypool Deputy Chair
- Mrs Gill Calder-Matthews, Pontypool
- Mrs Charlotte Barter, Blaenavon
- Mr J Hanbury, Pontypool
- Mr Jeff Williams, Cwmbran
- Mr Jason Rees, Cwmbran
- Mr Harry McKenzie, Pontypool
- Mr Rob Holcombe, Ponthir
- Mr Jon Horler, Pontypool
- Mr Christopher Hatch, Pontypool
- Mrs Linda Stinchcombe, Cwmbran
- Miss Aileen Vaughan, Ebbw Vale
- Miss Nadine Morgan, Abertillery
- Mr Mark Lewis, Cwmtillery
- Mrs Liz Van, Cwmbran