25 October 2005
New members sought to join the Dartmoor Local Access Forum
The Dartmoor Local Access Forum was established three years ago by the Dartmoor National Park Authority. As required under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, it was set up with a balance of members representing the interests of landowners, users of access rights and other interests specific to Dartmoor. The Dartmoor Local Access Forum advises the National Park Authority on the improvement of public access to land in the National Park for the purposes of recreation and enjoyment.
The National Park Authority is keen to establish a new pool of interested individuals from which to select Forum members, to fill both scheduled (end of year) and casual vacancies which arise over the next 2-3 years.
Members serve in an individual capacity, rather than representing any specific organisation or group, but they are selected to primarily represent one of three interests including:
users of the new right of access introduced by Part I of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (principally walkers), and users of local rights of way (for example walkers, horse riders and cyclists);
owners and occupiers of access land or land crossed by local rights of way;
other interests specially relevant to the Dartmoor area including wildlife conservation, cultural heritage conservation, tourism, sport and recreation, health, outdoor education, the military, local businesses and the residents of nearby urban areas.
The National Park Authority is also keen to take account of the needs of young people, women, and people on low incomes, to seek representation from people with disabilities, and to encourage individuals from ethnic minorities to become members of the Forum.
In order that the first new appointments can be made before the first meeting of the Forum in 2006 (scheduled for March), applications should be received by 31 December 2005.
For more information, or to download an application form, visit the Dartmoor Local Access Forum at www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk.
Ends
For Further Information
Jeff Haynes, Director of Understanding and Enjoyment
John Weir, Head of Communications, Dartmoor National Park Authority
Tel (01626) 832093
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Notes for Editors
The full complement of the Forum is 18, including two Dartmoor National Park Authority Members appointed each year to provide a formal link between the Forum and the Authority.
Each year, approximately one third of the members reach the end of their three year term of appointment, though members do remain eligible to serve a further term, if reappointed. By the end of 2005, at least five of the original members will have left the Forum, and from the beginning of 2006 between 1 and 6 new members will need to be appointed. In each subsequent year, as many as 5 or 6 places will become vacant.
Appointments are for three years and are unpaid, though members may claim for reasonable travel expenses and a carer’s allowance, where appropriate, for attending meetings. Four meetings are scheduled each year, taking place on weekday evenings, normally in Bovey Tracey, but additional meetings and training events may also be arranged.
The Terms of Reference of the Local Access Forum, all of its meeting agendas and minutes, its Annual Reports and Application Forms for appointment to the Forum can be viewed on the National Park Authority’s website (go to the A-Z and select Local Access Forum). Copies of the Application Form can also be obtained from the National Park Authority at Parke, Bovey Tracey, Newton Abbot TQ13 9JQ telephone (01626) 832093
National Parks cover 10% of the land area of England, Wales and Scotland. They are of special value to the whole nation because of their great beauty, their wildlife and cultural interests and the opportunities they offer for quiet enjoyment. However, they are not nationally owned - the land is in the hands of many landowners or occupiers including farmers. About 33,500 people live inside the Dartmoor National Park and many millions of visits are made to it each year.
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This page last updated 25 October 2005
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