To: The Members of the Exmoor Local Access Forum
A meeting of the Exmoor Local Access Forum will be held in the Committee Room,
Exmoor House, Dulverton on Wednesday, 7 September 2005 at 6 pm.
The meeting will be open to the press and public in accordance with the provisions of reg. 7 of The Local Access Forums (England) Regulations 2002 (under s 94 and 95 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000).
#There is a Public Question Time at this meeting. The details are given at the end of the agenda.
(The agenda and papers for this meeting can be downloaded from the Exmoor National Park Authority’s website at www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk)
Martin Palmer
Secretary, Exmoor Local Access Forum
A G E N D A
- Apologies for Absence
- Declarations of Interest
Members are asked to declare any direct or indirect personal interests (including financial) in relation to items on the agenda for this meeting and shall disclose the nature of those interests to the meeting.
(NB. The regulations do not prohibit any member having such an interest from remaining in the meeting and participating in the discussion). - Minutes
(1) To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Forum held on 29 June 2005 (Item 3 attached).
(2) To consider any Matters Arising from those Minutes. - Access to Water on Exmoor
(1) Tamsin Phipps from the British Canoe Union (BCU) to address the meeting on achieving greater access to waterways for canoes and other smaller craft (some advance information is enclosed – Item 4.1 attached). (NB. Tamsin will be accompanied by Peter Thorn, a local member of BCU (Barnstaple), who is also a member of the Devon Local Access Forum).
(2) To consider a report by Paul Hawkins, the National Park Authority’s Recreation Manager, on the current position on access to water within the National Park (Item 4.2, which will be tabled at the meeting). - Rights of Way Improvement Plan Chapter – Next Steps
The National Park Authority’s Recreation and Access Officers to report verbally. - Consultation Relating to the Amendment of the Local Access Forums (England) Regulations 2002
To consider the Forum’s response to the Consultation (NB. The consultation is due to be published on 5 September 2005 and copies will be tabled at the meeting. In the meantime, however, a draft prior to its being agreed by the Minister for Rural Affairs, Landscape and Biodiversity is enclosed – Item 6 attached). - Diversion Orders
To receive an update, including Hewitts Hotel, Lynton and the Forum’s intended site visit. - Changes to the Path Network and the Local Access Forum
To consider a report by Stephen Crossman, Forum member (Item 8 attached). - Access Closure Update - Metcombe, Weirwater Valley
James Maben, the National Park Authority’s Access Officer, to update the Forum. - 10. Appeal against the Refusal of Exmoor National Park Authority to make a Direction (under Section 25(1)(b) of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000) excluding or restricting access to avoid danger to the public with respect to land at Exford, Minehead
To consider whether to make a representation in respect of this appeal – the Notice of Appeal and covering letter from the Planning Inspectorate are enclosed (Item 10 attached). Details of the proposal will be given verbally at the meeting. - Exmoor Local Access Forum Logo
The Secretary to give a verbal update. - Date of the Next Meeting(s) and Agenda Items
It is recommended that the next meeting be held on Wednesday, 16 November 2005 at 6 pm at Exmoor House, Dulverton when it is proposed that Hugh Thomas, Chairman of GESA (Greater Exmoor Shooting Association) be invited to give his views on the position of shooting vis-à-vis access. - Any Other Business of Urgency
#Public Question Time
There is a public question time at the Forum’s meetings to allow members of the public to ask questions or make statements on items on the agenda.
The timing of public questions during the meetings and the amount of time allotted to them is at the Chairman of the Forum’s discretion.
Notice of public questions should be submitted in writing three working days before the Forum’s meetings but, at the Chairman of the Forum’s discretion, there will also be the opportunity for public questions to be notified and made during meetings where they relate to specific matters raised during debate.
For further information about the Exmoor Local Access Forum and its work, please contact the Secretary, Martin Palmer, at the postal address, telephone numbers or email address given at the top of this agenda.