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, 16 November 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 andRights of Way Act 2000).
#There is a Public Question Time at this meeting. The details are given at the end of the agenda.
Martin Palmer
Secretary, Exmoor Local Access Forum
A G E N D A
1. Apologies for Absence
2. 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 remainingin the meeting and participating in the discussion).
3.Minutes
(1) To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Forum held on 7 September 2005 (Item 3(PDF,34KB)).
(2) To consider any Matters Arising from those Minutes.
4. Changes to the Path Network and the Local Access Forum
To consider the report of the National Park Authority’s Solicitor and Monitoring Officer (Item 4(PDF,30KB) ).
5. Shooting and Access
To receive a presentation from Hugh Thomas, Chairman of GESA (Greater ExmoorShooting Association).
6. Preparatory Documentation Relating to the Draft Somerset Rights of Way Improvement Plan
To receive a presentation from Peter Hobley, Rural Group - Rights of Way Project Officer, Somerset County Council County
7. Diversion Orders
To receive an update, including Hewitt’s Hotel, Lynton.
8. Consultations
To consider making responses to the following consultations:-
(1) *A Defra Consultation Document on ‘Confirmation of Byelaws relating to Countryside Recreation: Proposals for Change’ http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/recreation-byelaws/index.htm
*In view of the length of this document paper copies are not being circulated. It can be accessed through
the above web link and will be displayed at the meeting through PowerPoint. However, if anyone without
computer access needs to have a paper copy prior to the meeting, they should please contact the
Secretary on the above telephone numbers)
(2) A Defra Consultation Document on ‘Review of the Heather and Grass Etc.(Burning) Regulations 1986 and the Heather and grass Burning Code 1994 in England – pages 17 and 29 appear to be the only ones relating to access and theseare attached (Item 8.2(PDF,1MB).
(3) A Defra Consultation on proposed Dog Control Orders under the Clean Neighbourhoods & Environment Act 2005 – relevant pages attached (Item 8.3(PDF,2.3MB)).
9. To note the responses sent on the Forum’s behalf to the consultations on Diversionsof Rights of Way and draft Gating Orders regulations (Item 9(PDF,277KB)).
10. Disabled People and Access to the Countryside
To consider a report from Howard Brunton, Chairman of the Somerset Local Access Forum (Item 10 (PDF,21KB)).
11. Access to Open Access Island Sites
The National Park Authority’s Recreation and Access Officers to report verbally.
12. Access to Water
Further to Minute 36 of the last meeting, the Forum is asked to determine its position on the British Canoe Union’s campaign for greater access to waterways for canoes and other smaller craft and, as appropriate, to provide any advice to the National Park Authority.
13. Meeting of South West Local Access Forums – Taunton Vale Sports Club –Tuesday, 1 November 2005
The Forum’s Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Secretary attended this meeting and will provide verbal feedback on the event. In addition, the Forum is asked to consider whether it wishes to convey any thoughts to the Countryside Agency on its Action Plan to Support and Develop the Work of England’s Local Access Forums (Item 13(PDF,15KB)).
14. Date of the Next Meeting(s) and Agenda items
The next meeting has been provisionally set for Wednesday, 1 March 2006 at Lynton Town Hall. The main part of the meeting will involve meeting representatives of Lynton and Lynmouth Town Council and local communities to discuss issues concerning open access, rights of way and recreation generally in the area.
15. 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 atthe 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 forpublic 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.