9 September 2008
Dartmoor Access Forum needs you
Are you interested in helping advise Dartmoor National Park Authority and other organisations on public access issues in the National Park?
| Dartmoor National Park Authority is looking to appoint new members to the Dartmoor Access Forum. The Forum is an independent advisory body and members are appointed to represent the interests of people who use the right of access to open country and registered common land, and public rights of way, as well as owners/occupiers of land affected. Members can also be appointed to represent other interests relevant to the area such tourism, sport or conservation. |  |
Applications would be particularly welcome from anyone with knowledge or experience of conservation, environmental education, social exclusion or cycling.
The National Park Authority is also keen to encourage representation from young people, women, people on low incomes, people with disabilities, and individuals from ethnic minorities on the Forum.
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.
The Forum’s work is varied, encompassing a range of public access issues such as the management of public rights of access to open country and registered common land, management and improvement of public rights of way, as well as access issues more generally. It makes an important contribution to making the countryside of Dartmoor more accessible and enjoyable for open air recreation, in ways which address environmental, social and economic interests.
If you would like to have an informal discussion about the work of the Forum, please telephone Andrew Watson, Principal Access and Ranger Officer,Dartmoor National Park Authority on (01626) 832093. Further information and an application pack can be found online at www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk (look under Dartmoor Access Forum in the A-Z).
Ends
For Further Information
Andrew Watson, Principal Access and Ranger Officer
Mike Nendick, Communications Officer, Dartmoor National Park Authority
Tel: (01626) 832093
Notes for Editors
Local access forums are established under sections 94 and 95 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 . Section 94 imposes a duty on local highway authorities and National Park authorities to establish forums for their area. Section 95 contains supplementary provisions relating to the appointment of members and other matters.
There are over 80 forums covering almost the whole of England.
Local access forums have a wide remit in advising access authorities (local highway authorities and National Park authorities) and other bodies (such as Government departments, Natural England, the Forestry Commission, English Heritage, Sport England, AONB Conservation Boards, district councils, town and parish councils) on managing public rights of access.
There are 18 members appointed to the Dartmoor Access Forum, including two Dartmoor National Park Authority Members, appointed each year to provide a formal link between the Forum and the Authority.
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.
Each year, 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.
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 web site (go to the A-Z and select Local Access Forum). Copies of the Application Form can also be obtained from Dartmoor National Park Authority, Parke, Bovey Tracey, Newton Abbot TQ13 9JQ telephone (01626) 832093.
Agendas for full Dartmoor National Park Authority meetings and Dartmoor National Park Authority planning meetings are available on the Authority's web site .
You can receive an e-mail notification each time a News Release is issued by the Dartmoor National Park Authority .
News Releases from all UK National Parks (external link, opens new window)
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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. Over 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 9 September 2008
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Page updated 8 September 2008
