The Forum is invited to discuss and confirm the terms of reference for the National Countryside Access Forum, which are attached at Annex 1. In particular members are asked to consider whether the terms of reference for the Forum and its members des...
Recreation

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Terms of reference (NCAF 1/1)

Purpose

1. The Forum is invited to discuss and confirm the terms of reference for the National Countryside Access Forum, which are attached at Annex 1. In particular members are asked to consider whether the terms of reference for the Forum and its members describe the way of working clearly and comprehensively.

Background

2. The National Countryside Access Forum (the Forum) is a non-statutory body reporting to and advising the Countryside Agency (the Agency). Its primary purpose is to advise on the development of policy and procedures which will assist the Agency in implementing the Government's 'Framework for action on access to the countryside', published on 8 March 1999. A copy of the framework document is attached for information.

3. The Forum will be chaired by the Deputy Chairman of the Agency. One other member of the Agency Board will be a member of the Forum. The secretariat will be provided by the Agency.

4. The Forum will have 16 members including 12 representatives of interested organisations and 4 independent members with appropriate experience. The membership will be balanced to avoid dominance by any single interest group. The Agency will invite official observers from Government Departments and statutory agencies to attend meetings when the agenda is of particular interest to them.

Way of working

5. The terms of reference for the Forum and its members describe a constructive approach to the improvement of recreational access to the countryside of England. Through discussion, Forum members will be encouraged to reach a consensus on ways to deliver more and better access to the countryside of England.

Annex 1

TERMS OF REFERENCE

FOR THE NATIONAL COUNTRYSIDE ACCESS FORUM AND ITS MEMBERS

1. The Forum will:

a. have the primary purpose of assisting the Countryside Agency to make the countryside more accessible and enjoyable for recreation;

b. provide advice on issues of principle and good practice, leaving individual cases to be resolved locally;

c. seek consensus wherever possible;

d. where consensus is not possible, make clear the nature of differing views, and suggest how they might be resolved;

e. have an initial life of two years, meeting approximately quarterly after year 1, in public; and

f. comprise no more than 16 members (excluding the Chair), made up of 12 representative members and 4 independent members. 

2. All Forum members will:

a. work with a commitment to achieving the aims of the Forum through constructive working with other members;

b. be able to attend all meetings and devote the necessary time to network outside meetings;

c. have relevant experience of access to the countryside, and be able to make an informed and constructive contribution to its improvement;

d. be capable of networking with a wide range of interest groups;

e. collectively have:

experience of a wide range of interests in the countryside;

experience of countryside access for a wide range of purposes; and

knowledge of many parts of England; 

f. be invited by the Countryside Agency to contribute for two years initially; and

g. be reimbursed for the reasonable expenses incurred in attending meetings. 

3. Representative Forum members will 

a. be nominated by their organisation;

b. have the authority to act on behalf of the organisation;

c. be in close contact with the constituency of the organisation and be able to represent its views and engage its support effectively; and

d. be willing and able to take a broad view beyond the primary aims of the organisation they represent. 

4. Independent Forum members will 

a. be appointed through open competition;

b. be independent of a single interest groups;

c. be capable of standing outside the circle of access interests to represent a broad public view;

and will collectively have:

d. significant knowledge and experience of work which has improved people's access to, and enjoyment of, the countryside including the countryside or open spaces in and around towns;

e. significant knowledge and experience of working to achieve consensus between a wide range of different interests to implement projects for the benefit of people or the countryside;

f. links to a network of media, business, trade union or other contacts which may assist in securing more and better access to the countryside; and

g. significant knowledge and experience of working with or in one or moreof the public, private or voluntary sectors.