JLAF News and Business

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This page contains the latest information on this site.  On this page you can find news, newly published documents, consultations, event and meeting information and anything else that arises between the meetings of the JLAF.  This will be of interest to the members of the JLAF as well as others.

All information is added to the top of this page, shown along with the publication date.

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The news items on this page are retrieved from a number of local and national sources.  Some material has kindly been supplied by Hilary Winter, Regional Coordinator SW Region LAFs.  If you wish to submit any suggestions, please contact us.

Latest News (most recent additions first)
14DEC11: The Independent Panel on Forestry was set up to advise the government on the future of forests and woods in England and have just released their Interim Progress Report, along with a newsletter. The headlines of the interim report are: · The Panel believe there is a role for a national public forest estate · The Panel want to see more woodlands created and more woodlands managed · Future forestry policy should reflect economic and ecological timescale of woodlands · Further work exploring how more woodlands in England can deliver more for society, the environment and the economy. The main document of the report summarises the responses to the 'call for views', to which the JLAF submitted its views.  See page 42 of the report for a summary of the main submissions on Access to Forestry.
30NOV11: As part of the announcements related to the Chancellor's Autumn Statement yesterday, a Rural Economy Growth Review was published by Defra.  In it, there are new plans for a £2m fund for Public Rights of Way improvements: "Defra will provide up to £2m to enable local communities to enhance their tourism offer by improving public rights of way"
30NOV11: The Chairman and the Secretary of the JLAF attended a regional meeting of Local Access Forums on the 9th November, with this agenda.  The notes of this meeting have now been drafted. Three presentations given at the meeting are here too, on National Coordination of LAFs, on Multiuse paths (generally paths for a combination of walkers, cyclists and equestrians), and on Local Nature Partnerships (LNPs) and Nature Improvement Areas (NIAs).  The West of England has applied for funding to form a Local Nature Partnership, and the JLAF is included as a stakeholder to such a group in that application. Hilary Winter also distributed a new Sustrans technical briefing note on horses on the National Cycle Network to inform the agenda item on multi-use.
30NOV11: Hilary Winter, Regional Coordinator SW Region LAFs, has highlighted a House of Commons Question, which relates identifying historic public rights of way and adding them to the legal record, the Definitive Map and Statement.  For more background to this answer, see the Stakeholder Working Group on Unrecorded Rights of Way. "House of Commons - Hansard Written Answers to Questions Monday 28 November 2011  Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress she is making on recording historic rights of way. [82379] Richard Benyon: It is local authorities that are responsible for recording rights of way on the definitive map and statement (the local authority's legal record of public rights of way). There are no centrally held records on the progress that individual local authorities are making on recording rights of way. In the Government White Paper ‘The Natural Choice: securing the value of Nature’, DEFRA announced that it will consult on simplifying and streamlining the processes  28 Nov 2011 : Column 658W  for recording and making changes to public rights of way, based on proposals made by Natural England's working group on unrecorded rights of way. I am currently considering the options for this consultation and expect to make an announcement shortly."
30NOV11: The Natural England Board is considering a paper on the dedication of its National Nature Reserves (NNRs) under section 16 of the CRoW Act 2000 over a four year programme.  Only 2/3 of NNR are covered under open access. Natural England intends to look at sites on an individual basis, assessing where appropriate any risks. This is one of the papers for the Natural England Board today.  There are no NNRs in the JLAF area, though Leigh Woods is a NNR, located just over the Clifton Suspension Bridge from Bristol.  Note though, that some NNRs are not owned by Natural England, therefore won't be covered by this announcement. (supplied by Hilary Winter, Regional Coordinator SW Region LAFs)
30NOV11: Papers for the Natural England Board meeting are now published on their website.  The meeting is today, the 30th November. (supplied by Hilary Winter, Regional Coordinator SW Region LAFs)
30NOV11: Dr Helen Phillips is leaving her post as Chief Executive at Natural England. Her successor has not yet been appointed.  (supplied by Hilary Winter, Regional Coordinator SW Region LAFs)
28NOV11: The draft minutes of the most recent meeting of the JLAF, held on Friday the 4th November 2011, have been published.
23NOV11: The British Horse Society (BHS) has released a report on the health benefits of riding: "The research, carried out by the University of Brighton in partnership with Plumpton College looked into the health and well being benefits of horse-based sport and leisure. The findings proved that horse riding and activities associated with horse riding, such as mucking out, expend sufficient energy to be classed as moderate intensity exercise – the level of activity recommended by the Government/ NHS that when achieved for 150 minutes per week will help to keep you healthy." The BHS have a related press release and have published the full report.
26OCT11: From the JLAF Secretary: I have just heard from Rob Leek at Natural England about a grant scheme where there is money available. This is urgent as Expressions of Interest have to be submitted by Monday the 31st October. You may wish to consider it for projects you might be involved in. If you think you might be able to take advantage of this funding, then please get in touch with Rob Leek at Natural England - see below. "a small pot for communities projects has come up but with a very quick turnaround (EOIs have to be in this Monday) so if any of the members have a project that could be suitable that needs some small funding (up to £2000 though larger ones considered) to get it going, to get in touch with me asap.  Rob Leek, Lead Adviser People and Partnerships, Natural England.  Tel: 0300 060 1505."
25OCT11: There is a meeting of the JLAF on Friday the 4th November at 2:00pm in Keynsham Town Hall.  This meeting is held in public and the Agenda and Papers are now available.
13OCT11: In April 2012, British Waterways’ canals and rivers in England and Wales will be transferred to the care of a new waterways charity, called the Canal & River Trust. This follows proposals made by British Waterways that have now been confirmed by the Government.  In the recent announcement on the new name for the organisation - to be known as the Canal & River Trust, they say: "The government is placing these waterways in trust for the nation. The move has been championed by British Waterways and will attract new investment, secure jobs and give the public a greater say in the running of their local canal or river." There is more information on British Waterway's Waterscape website, in a press release about the new organisation's name, and a press release about progress on these changes.
30SEP11: The Independent Panel on Forestry has recently paid a visit to Kent, to review the role of Forestry there.  This follows previous visits to Kielder and the Forest of Dean. The Independent Panel on Forestry have just announced further visits: "Following some very hard choices the Panel are now pleased to confirm their full programme of visits. The additional visits are likely to take place from the autumn onwards and details, including dates and visit content, will be available later in the summer." Nottinghamshire - to consider community forestry East Anglia - topics may include woodfuel and woodland access Yorkshire - topics may include woodland related tourism and ecosystem restoration Devon - topics may include farm woodlands, forestry pests and diseases Lake District - topics may include forestry and rural development Wyre - to look at forest biodiversity, partnerships and woodfuel The New Forest - to look at the historic forest landscape"
19AUG11: The Countryside Mobility scheme provides easy access to the countryside for people with disabilities living in and visiting South West England through a mobility scooter hire scheme.  Countryside Mobility South West have published their latest newsletter.  The nearest scheme to the JLAF area is Bristol City Council's Trampler Mobility Vehicle Hire at Ashton Court Estate.
11AUG11: The JLAF has received an invitation to the Severn Estuary Forum event on the 23rd September: "The 2011 Severn Estuary Forum is fast approaching. With the programme developing well, including the confirmation of Boris Hochfeld, Hamburg Port Authority and Miranda Krestovnikoff, BBC Coast, the event promises to be as interesting and informative as ever. The 2011 Severn Estuary Forum will be held at Cardiff University on Friday 23rd September."
03AUG11: The Department of Communities and Local Government launched a consultation on 25 July 2011 on the draft National Policy Framework. There is a full document, together with the summary. The closing date is 17th October. "The aim is to streamline national policy and introduce a sustainable approach to planning. As part of the draft Framework there are powerful protections mentioned for communities to safeguard the natural and historic environment. The draft policy framework sets out the Government's economic, environmental and social planning policies for England with the aim that these should be interpreted and applied locally through local and neighbourhood plans to reflect local needs and priorities." Rights of way and access get a mention, albeit briefly: "Deliver open space, sports and recreational facilities 128. Access to good quality open spaces and opportunities for sport and recreation can make an important contribution to the health and well-being of communities. The planning system has a role in helping to create an environment where activities are made easier and public health can be improved. Planning policies should identify specific needs and quantitative or qualitative deficits or surpluses of open space, sports and recreational facilities in the local area. The information gained from this assessment of needs and opportunities should be used to set locally derived standards for the provision of open space, sports and recreational facilities. Planning policies should protect and enhance rights of way and access. There are some formal questions posed in the consultation and these are available in a separate document . These are largely along the lines of whether you strongly agree.....strongly disagree with the opportunity to provide comments. Not all the questions are relevant to LAFs. There is, in addition, an Impact Assessment related to this consultation and a series of questions associated with this. This is a large document but the section on the Environment, which includes green infrastructure, might be worth looking at.  (supplied by Hilary Winter, Regional Coordinator SW Region LAFs)
03AUG11: The JLAF has received an email from South Gloucestershire Council following the release of the Government's Draft National Planning Policy Framework (above).  South Gloucestershire Council are inviting comments on how their own Core Strategy might account for this. Responses can be submitted to South Gloucestershire Council's Spatial Planning team by Friday the 16th September 2011.
28JUL11: The Independent Panel on Forestry issued a call for views, the deadline of which is this Sunday, the 31st July.  The JLAF has taken the opportunity to send a response to this call, following it's earlier response to the government's proposals for England's public forest estate earlier this year.
28JUL11: Natural England has published its organisational structure chart.
26JUL11: Defra has just brought out a consultation on the reform of town and village greens registration system. Closing date 17th October:  "The consultation asks whether the registration system can strike a better balance between protecting quality green spaces valued by local people and securing the new homes, jobs and essential infrastructure the country needs. Applications are free to make but are often costly and time consuming for the local authority, the landowner and others. The proposals set out seek to improve the operation of the current registration system, reducing the burden on local authorities and landowners. We expect that the reforms will reduce the workload local authorities to deal more speedily with applications for sites which remain eligible. Changes to the existing registration system may also encourage landowners to provide new sites for access." (supplied by Hilary Winter, Regional Coordinator SW Region LAFs)
25JUL11: The Independent Panel on Forestry has published it's first newsletter.  The Independent Panel on Forestry was set up to advise the government on the future of forests and woods in England, as the government withdrew the previous consultation on changes to Forestry in England. (supplied by Hilary Winter, Regional Coordinator SW Region LAFs)
21JUL11: The Draft Minutes of JLAF24, the most recent JLAF meeting on the 1st July are published. The presentation on the OutdoorsWest website is here to be viewed online in full. Rob Leek of Natural England has kindly reported back on actions and items of interest prompted by the JLAF24 meeting.
19JUL11: Richard Benyon MP, The Government Minster for Natural Environment and Fisheries wrote to all Local Access Forums (LAFs) in England outlining his views on outdoors access and LAFs.  In the letter he says he wants to improve access: "Its value is understood, with the increasing need to get away from car use and enjoy the beauty and tranquillity of the countryside. There is now increased involvement from the Department for Health, due to both physical and mental health benefits. Access is highly valued by people; their passion for access can be likened to a sleeping giant in that it often is underestimated until awakened by a threat. Tourism is also a significant factor in access, particularly in farm diversification. It contributes to sustainable transport aims of carbon reduction, and the positive action to care for the natural environment. An important part of the Government's policy on access will be to emphasize local access close to where people live."
12JUL11: The Chief Medical Officers have published new guidelines for Physical Activity in the UK. Some extracts: "Physical activity should be encouraged across the population. The risks of engaging in physical activity are low for most of the population, but the risks of poor health resulting from inactivity are high. There is a clear link between physical activity and chronic disease." "Regular physical activity can reduce the risk of many chronic conditions including coronary heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, cancer, obesity, mental health problems and musculoskeletal conditions. Even relatively small increases in physical activity are associated with some protection against chronic diseases and an improved quality of life. These benefits can deliver cost savings for health and social care services. However, the benefits of physical activity extend further to improved productivity in the workplace, reduced congestion and pollution through active travel, and healthy development of children and young people. · The percentage of adults in England meeting previous physical activity guidelines: Men 40%, Women 28%. · The percentage of children (aged 2-15) in England  meeting previous physical activity guidelines: Boys 32%, Girls 24%. · The estimated direct cost of physical inactivity to the NHS across the UK is £1.06 billion. Despite the widely reported benefits of physical activity, the majority of adults and many children across the UK are insufficiently active to meet the previous recommendations. There are clear and significant health inequalities in relation to physical inactivity according to income, gender, age, ethnicity and disability. These guidelines apply across the population, irrespective of gender, race or socio-economic status. However, barriers related to safety, culture and access, for example, can have a disproportionate effect upon the ability of individuals to respond to the guidelines; therefore, interventions to promote physical activity must consider this. This is particularly significant where efforts are focused in locations comprising large numbers of traditionally sedentary groups and individuals."
12JUL11: Natural England, with support from the Forestry Commission and Defra, has published its second year of findings in the definitive survey of the way we visit and use the outdoors, the Monitor of Engagement with the Natural Environment (MENE) survey.  The results show that in 2010/11 alone, nearly 2.5 billion visits were made to England’s countryside and open spaces, during the course of which visitors generated over £17 billion in expenditure. Over half those surveyed responded that they visit the natural environment at least once a week.
12JUL11: At the JLAF Meeting on the 1st July, the Walkers are Welcome scheme was discussed.  It was suggested that this scheme would be suitable for many towns in the JLAF area. Of interest, Bradford-on-Avon (in Wiltshire) has recently acquired this status and have Walkers are Welcome information on the town website.  There is also a Walkers are Welcome website where towns or villages interested in joining the scheme can get more information.
12JUL11: Hilary Winter, Regional Coordinator SW Region LAFs has suggested that LAFs set up links to proposed Local Nature Partnerships.  In the recent Government White Paper, 'The Natural Choice' are proposals for Local Nature Partnerships, which are intended to "bring a diverse range of individuals, businesses and organisations together at a local level to create a vision and plan of action of how the natural environment can be taken into account in decision making."  If a Local Nature Partnership is set up for the West of England, memberships are likely to be decided early in 2012..
12JUL11: Natural England has funded a new guide to the creation of multi user public rights of way.  The guide, published by The Trails Trust (TTT) outlines their process for permanently securing "public rights of way through voluntary dedications by landowners, sometimes with the offer of an upfront capital incentive payment." (supplied by Hilary Winter, Regional Coordinator SW Region LAFs)
12JUL11: JLAF Member Ann Fay has highlighted a letter sent from Richard Benyon, Minister for Natural Environment and Fisheries to Mrs Ann Main, MP for St Alban's, stating that horse riders should be allowed to use cycle tracks: "Past research has shown that user conflict on shared use routes is actually infrequent but exaggerated, and that additional maintenance cost to ensure appropriate surfacing is minimal. "I would urge all local authorities to allow horse riders to use cycle trails, routes and any other ways where it is in their power to do so, and to encourage that permission or dedication to happen where it is not in their power. Unless there are good and specific reasons not to expressly allow horse riders to use such routes, local authorities should take steps to accommodate them. "Local authorities should be making the most of their off-road networks through integration of use. Multi user routes have been shown to be readily adopted and well appreciated by local people. Where they are done well they bolster community cohesion and create a better understanding between users." There is more information and a copy of the letter on the Horseytalk.net website.
02JUN11: Would you like to be a member of the JLAF and advise on the development of access to the outdoors in this area? The deadline for receipt of applications is 9am on Monday the 20th June 2011.
02JUN11: The JLAF has prepared a response to a government consultation on the future of British Waterways. Defra, the Government Department, is consulting on moving the management of inland waterways into a new waterways charity in England and Wales. The government are proposing to move functions for inland waterways from British Waterways in England and Wales first, then to the functions relating inland waterway navigations from the Environment Agency to the new waterways charity. The deadline for responses is the 30th June 2011. For more information, see the government consultation on the Defra website.
25MAY11: Natural England, the government agency whose responsibilities include aspects of Access Land, National Trail and Health Walk management, as well as advising on other access matters, has it's Board meeting today, the 25th May.  Papers are published on their website, and Hilary Winter, Regional Coordinator of SW England LAFs has compiled relevant quotes from the Chief Executive's Report.
18MAY11: A BBC programme about walking on the Kennet and Avon canal from Bath is the subject of a sample news article on the OutdoorsWest website, also published via Facebook and Twitter.
18MAY11: The Draft minutes of the most recent JLAF meeting, JLAF23 are on the website.
17MAY10: The Independent Panel on Forestry has now met, and the minutes are their first meeting are available. The JLAF submitted a response to the Forestry Consultation in March.
16MAY10: The JLAF Publishes an Annual Report, incorporated within an Annual Newsletter.  The most recent is the JLAF's Annual Newsletter for the year 2009-10, now on a dedicated page on this site.
03MAR11: Chris Bloor, JLAF member who runs the Friends of the Community Forest Path has now set up a Friends of the Community Forest Blog with news on the group and work on the path.  Latest news includes the role of volunteers, scrub clearance, a newly replaced bridge over the M5 motorway and the Green Man Challenge.
25FEB11: The next meeting of the JLAF is on Friday, the 4th March 2011, to be held at 2pm in the Carter Room of the Fry Club, Somerdale, Keynsham.  The Agenda is now available, and subjects include 'Health and Outdoors Access' and 'The future of the Forestry Estate in England'.
20JAN11: The Bristol area is set to become a celebrated destination for mountain bike riders of all abilities when new mountain bike trails are built at Ashton Court and Leigh Woods in 2011. Bristol’s Cycling City project has teamed up with the Forestry Commission, National Trust and the 1 South West cycling initiative to secure the £200,000 in funding needed at each site to provide 11km of new or reconstructed cycle trails. The trails should be open in the summer of 2011.
20JAN11: A message from Chris Bloor, a JLAF member who looks after the Friends of the Community Forest Path, who in turn look after the Community Forest Path: We have received 100 trees from the BTCV to plant along the path up the Dundry Slopes, which links the Community Forest Path to the frequent no.75 bus service in Bishport Avenue (also the 36 from Brislington). The hope is that these trees will help to shade out the brambles that have periodically blocked the path and encourage people out onto the CFP. We are looking for volunteers to help with the planting. This will take place on Tuesday 1st February. The actual planting will start at 1pm and preparation - bramble bashing etc. will take place in the morning from 10am. We will start near the St Andrew's Scout "hut" on Bishport Avenue. There will also be a quiz at the Green Man Alfred Place, Kinsgdown Bristol at 7-30 for 8 on Sunday 30th January to support the Friends of the CFP.
18JAN11: Work has started on site to build the Two Tunnels Route in Bath.  The Two Tunnels scheme will transform a four mile stretch of disused railway line into a new walking and cycling path linking together Bath and Midford.  Sections of the Linear Way route, along the disused railway are being closed whilst works are being undertaken, and diversions are in place.  There are more details on the Sustrans website.
13JAN11: The Forestry Commission has just published a press release: "Why mountain bikers love forests" which might be of interest, and also has implications for the forthcoming consultation regarding selling Forestry Commission woods.  The reference to the publication “Lifestyle, identity and young people’s experiences of mountain biking” at the foot of the article is a summary research note (6 pages) by Katherine King who carried out the research as part of her PhD. (supplied by Hilary Winter, Regional Coordinator SW Region LAFs)
04JAN11: An article by Steven Morris in the Guardian newspaper on New Year's Eve featured the author spending "a month working with fitness and sports psychology experts at Bath University and the National Trust. The concept was that a guinea pig – me – would spend alternate weeks exercising in a gym and on National Trust land."
04JAN11: Dr Helen Phillips, Natural England's Chief Executive, has briefed on the Natural England budget cuts. It is worth noting that one of the comments relates to the transfer to 'civil society' of Walking for Health schemes. There is no specific mention of access and recreation in this statement. (supplied by Hilary Winter, Regional Coordinator SW Region LAFs)
04JAN11: The British Horse Society is working with Plumpton College and the University of Brighton to provide more information on the health benefits of horse-riding, an area of research currently lacking compared with the information on cycling and walking.  The survey form can be completed here. (supplied by Hilary Winter, Regional Coordinator SW Region LAFs)
04JAN10: The Countryside Mobility South West  newsletter is available.  Countryside Mobility is a Big Lottery funded project (through Natural England’s ‘Access to Nature’ grant scheme) aiming to improve access to the countryside for people with limited mobility living in and visiting the South West.
22DEC10: The Draft Minutes of JLAF22, the most recent meeting of the JLAF, are now published. At that meeting there was a presentation to the JLAF on the proposals for OutdoorsWest, including the OutdoorsWest website.  The presentation is now available to view on this website (this may take a short time to download as it is a large file). The Draft minutes refer to additional updates that have been provided.  The first is an update on the Government plans for Forestry in England.  The second by JLAF Member Chris Bloor gives a review of recently published material on Walking, Running and Health, including the Marmot Report.  The third by Rennie Dickins of South Gloucestershire Council summarises some research Natural England commissioned on the use of the Outdoors by the public - called Monitor of Engagement with the Natural Environment (MENE).
03DEC10: The JLAF have submitted a response to the Planning Application to improve sections of route at Chew Valley Lake.  The JLAF letter of response refers to the JLAF Position Statement on Development and Green Infrastructure.
03DEC10: Chris Bloor, a JLAF member looks after the Friends of the Community Forest Path, who in turn look after the Community Forest Path, a 46 mile recreational trail circuiting Bristol.  They have just released their latest newsletter.
24NOV10: CABE (the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment) has just published a report on 'Community-led spaces - A guide for local authorities and community groups' about issues involved in transferring ownership and management of public space from local authorities to community groups.  Torbay Coast & Countryside is one of the case studies. (supplied by Hilary Winter, Regional Coordinator SW Region LAFs) On the same subject, of interest, this radio programme of the 28th October started with a discussion on the possible transfer of Nature Conservation sites from Government and Local Government to charities, including an interview with the Chief Executive of the Wildlife Trusts.
24NOV10: At the recent JLAF meeting on the 5th November, an item was raised on proposals by the government for the Forestry Commission in England and Wales.  This JLAF briefing on forestry plans was written following the meeting and summarises the current situation.  Of interest, Torbay Local Access Forum has drafted a letter they intend to send to Defra on this matter, and the matter was discussed at the recent meeting of SW England LAF Chairs.
24NOV10: Natural England carried out the consultation for a review of the England Access Forum over the summer of this year, to which the JLAF responded.  The Chair of the England Access Forum, Duncan Graham has sent this letter to all Local Access Forums in England because there has not yet been a conclusion to this review. Andrew Mackintosh from Natural England who acts as secretariat for the England Access Forum made the following statement last week: "The review findings have been collated and we are hoping to agree a way forward with EAF as to their further analysis and distribution. Meanwhile NE is considering its response to Duncan Graham's requests for NE commitment of financial support for 2011/12 and a meeting with the Chief Exec." This matter was also referred to in the recent meeting of SW England LAF Chairs.  Natural England are currently reviewing their structure and funding following the Government Spending Review. (supplied by Hilary Winter, Regional Coordinator SW Region LAFs)
24NOV10: Defra are continuing their consultation prior to the planned spring publication of a Natural Environment White Paper with 'grassroots engagement'.  The JLAF previously submitted a response to the first stage of consultation on this white paper.  Defra are now seeking further views, based on an example from the local area and ideally with views sought at a 'facilitated meeting'. This exercise runs until 31 January 2010. Their website includes 'facilitated meeting' pack, including a Guide for Facilitators, a Briefing Note for Participants, and a Feedback Form. (Supplied by Hilary Winter, Regional Coordinator SW Region LAFs)
23NOV10: Dr Helen Phillips, Chief Executive of Natural England, has released a letter on Natural England's work on the 'Big Society', or 'Update on progress: Transferring delivery of our access and engagement and related work to civil society.'
23NOV10: The Chairs of SW England Local Access Forums met with the Regional Director of South West England, Ciaran Gannon, on the 10th November 2010.  The notes of this meeting have now been distributed.
23NOV10: Defra has just announced important changes in the way Higher Level Stewardship is delivered. The headline news as far as Local Access Forums (LAFs) are concerned is that changes are being made to payments for permissive access and educational access options. One-off capital payments will continue to be made but Defra will no longer be providing annual (revenue) payments for NEW HLS agreements. There may be no immediate change but what LAFs may find is that much valued permissive access may stop at the end of the current agreement period if new HLS agreements provide no regular payment.  Further changes to Environmental Stewardship will focus resources on key environmental issues such as protecting wildlife and reducing water pollution. There is an announcement on the Defra website, and Natural England provide a Q&A document on their website. (Supplied by Hilary Winter, Regional Coordinator SW Region LAFs)
18NOV10: Following the death of a man in Nottinghamshire and the injury of his wife after they were attacked by a bull, there is press coverage including discussion on whether the legislation covering Bulls on Public Rights of Way needs to be updated, given the introduction of new dairy breeds in British herds over recent years. Section 59 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 covers Bulls and Public Rights of Way. Bulls cannot be kept in fields crossed by a right of way, except if the bulls are: · under the age of 10 months; or · not of a recognised dairy breed, provided that they are accompanied by cows or heifers.  ‘Recognised dairy breeds’ are: Ayrshire, British Friesian, British Holstein, Dairy Shorthorn, Guernsey, Jersey and Kerry
18NOV10: An article in the Guardian yesterday may be of interest - 'In praise of the daily walk', "A brisk half hour walk a day will keep you healthy – and sane – say researchers.  Eight people reveal what walking means to them." The article refers to the 'famous Cotswold Way' and includes quotes such as: "Walking my dog twice a day across the fields of Dorset around our house is better exercise than I could ever get in a gym – I don't have to compete with everyone and though the route may be repetitious, the natural cycles of the countryside make every day different" (Billy Bragg). There is also a link from that article to one on health walks.
10NOV10: Hilary Winter, SW Region LAFs has written a summary report on the SW LAF Conference held in Dartmoor on the 20th October 2010.
29OCT10: Ciaran Gannon, Regional Director (SW England) of Natural England has written to the JLAF with a first response to the Comprehensive Spending Review by the Government, indicating some changes at Natural England.
28OCT10: The papers for the next meeting, JLAF22, on the 5th November are now available on this website.
26OCT10:  Defra have just published new guidance on Authorising structures (gaps, gates & stiles) on rights of way for Local Authorities including their obligations under the Equality Act 2010.
25OCT10: (Supplied by Hilary Winter, Regional Coordinator SW Region LAFs) New publications by Natural England: Natural Leaders: actions for local environmental leadership (NECR047)  Natural Leaders looks at the role councils play in promoting their natural environment. It brings together ideas and experiences as councils work with the private and voluntary sector, acquire resources and develop a local vision to deliver benefits for people and wildlife."  Wild Adventure Space: its role in teenagers' lives (NECR025) This research was commissioned to explore the contribution the natural environment can make in relation to current debates about young people today."  Higher Level Stewardship schemes: As part of its SR settlement, Defra announced that the HLS budget will grow by 83% by 2013/14 as compared with 2010/11. This increase for HLS is within an overall RDPE budget that will be maintained over the next three years.  Because of the high level of new HLS agreements already approved so far this year we have now temporarily suspended further approvals while we assess with Defra the effects of the new post-SR budget profile. This is necessary because new commitments made this year impact on the budgets for subsequent years. Farmers who have already been formally offered HLS agreements will not be affected and will have a start date as indicated in their offer letters. It is important to stress that HLS remains open for business and farmers are encouraged to continue applying. Entry Level Stewardship, including Uplands ELS, and classic schemes (Countryside Stewardship and Environmentally Sensitive Areas) remain unaffected and these schemes will operate as normal."
18OCT10: Forest Research produces synthesis of evidence of benefits of green infrastructure Forest Research scientists have completed a critical review of the evidence of the benefits of green infrastructure. The work was funded by the Departments for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) and Communities & Local Government (DCLG), and supported by a steering group from 10 government agencies and departments. Green infrastructure includes parks, allotments, gardens, golf courses, canals and other inland waters, cemeteries, road verges, trees, community woodlands and green space around housing. Forest Research's Carl Foster, the project manager, said, "Green infrastructure's importance and scale of use are enormous, providing a wealth of facilities and benefits to urban communities. It has been reported that some 33 million people in England make 2.5 billion visits each year to urban green space." (Supplied by Hilary Winter, Regional Coordinator SW Region LAFs)
18OCT10: Defra have released their latest newsletter (number 47, October 2010) on access, including updates on Public Rights of Way and Coastal Access.  They have an archive of newsletters on the Defra website.
13OCT10: The JLAF has been involved in discussions about a multi-use route around Chew Valley Lake, and there is currently a Planning Application under consideration at Bath & North East Somerset Council for a section of this route.  Further information can be found by following the link below: Application Reference: 10/03624/FUL: "Enlargement of existing path to create a route for cyclists and walkers from the dam to the picnic area and the picnic area to Ham Lane". Consultation on the planning application is open until the 29th October 2010 and JLAF Members or any member of the public may wish to respond.
12OCT10: The National Highways & Transport (NHT) Network have published the results of a national survey on transport: 'Satisfaction with Highways and Transport Issues'.  The NHT Survey took place in July 2010 and questions are based on key themes: Accessibility, Public Transport, Walking/Cycling, Tackling Congestion, Road Safety and Highway Maintenance/Enforcement.
12OCT10: Norman Baker MP, of the Department for Transport, recently announced a new type of Transport Funding.  A letter outlines the 'Local Sustainable Transport Fund' and indicates that the current variety of existing transport grants will be pooled to 'create a smaller number of largely formula-based funding streams'.  As with most government funding, the letter states that further details will be announced following the conclusion of the Spending Review.
12OCT10: The third Joint Local Transport Plan (JLTP3) for the West of England has a deadline for publication of the 31st March 2011.  This is the timetable leading up to publication: 10DEC10 - Joint Transport Executive Committee; 15DEC10 - South Gloucestershire Full Council; North Somerset Full Council 04JAN11; 18JAN11 - Bristol City Full Council; 20JAN11 - Bath and North East Somerset Full Council; 31MAR11 - Publication of final JLTP3; Autumn 2011 - Refresh of Delivery Plan and Targets.
12OCT10: Forestry Statistics 2010, which has just been published by the Forestry Commission, includes some fascinating statistics and information on the access use of woodland, who uses it and why. It also includes figures compiled by the MENE project (monitor of engagement with the Natural Environment: The national survey on people and the natural environment). The recreation chapter is most useful to LAFs and I should be grateful if you could bring it to the attention of forum members. Any members attending the regional conference next week may have comments or questions to ask about some of the information. (Supplied by Hilary Winter, Regional Coordinator SW Region LAFs)
12OCT10: The SW has secured three of the 15 grants just awarded through the Access to Nature grants from Natural England, funded by the Big Lottery Changing Spaces Programme. The three projects demonstrate the innovative approaches being taken to engage people with their environments. Sea Green! Torbay's marine environment and coastline is its heart, however, there can be a lack of connection with this environment, particularly in areas of deprivation. This project will work to raise awareness of the Bay's important habitats, it's amazing species and in particular its fragile marine environment. Volunteer Wildlife Ambassadors will promote awareness and understanding of the Bay through community projects and educational activities. Grant: £243,852 - Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust Wild City will work with local people in deprived areas of Bristol so they are able to experience, enjoy and access the natural environment in creative and innovative ways. The project will work with local communities to increase community involvement, local pride and sense of ownership on a range of natural green spaces and nature reserves across the city. Grant: £250,000 - Bristol City Council Young Carers Project will give young people respite from their usual caring responsibilities by involving them in habitat and public access improvement activities on urban and rural sites within Somerset, Wiltshire and the Avon area. The aim is that young people taking part will have increased self-confidence; improvements in their health and wellbeing and a greater sense of involvement with their communities and, in some cases help them find employment. These are things currently jeopardised by their life situations. The project will also give the parents of the young carers a supported opportunity to help their children to learn about and appreciate wildlife. Grant: £240,000 - BTCV (Supplied by Hilary Winter, Regional Coordinator SW Region LAFs)
07OCT10: An Active Bristol newsletter has been published.  There is a related web page on Bristol City Council's website.
06OCT10: The Centre for Exercise, Nutrition and Health Sciences Speaker Series may be of interest to JLAF Members and others.  Dr Adrian Davis will be the first to present on Wednesday 13 October at 12 noon in the Lecture Room of the centre: "Transport and health: from theory to public health engagement". More information is on this flyer, and at the Centre for Exercise, Nutrition and Health Science's website.
27SEP10: Papers for the Natural England Board meeting to be held on the 30th September 2010 are now on the Natural England website. There is a Chief Executives Report containing information of interest; also of note is a "Consultation on Natural Environment White Paper", "Making Space for Nature: A review of England's wildlife sites and ecological network", and "Transferring management of Natural England's National Nature Reserves (NNR)".  Hilary Winter, Regional Coordinator, SW Region LAFs has compiled a useful summary of the meeting Agenda.
27SEP10: Sustrans and the England Access Forum had a meeting on the 20th August to discuss areas of mutual interest between Sustrans and Local Access Forums (LAFs).  The minutes of this meeting have been distributed to all LAFs. Also of interest is Sustrans' South West Strategic Plan 2010-13.
23SEP10: JLAF ACTION: Natural environment: an invitation to shape the nature of England.  Please respond by the 18th October 2010. Defra are consulting in advance of a new White Paper on the natural environment planned for spring 2011.  This major consultation has a deadline of 30th October, before the next full JLAF meeting.  Defra's consultation has two parts.  The first part is a simple four question form, the second part asks for comments on a discussion document.  These questions are all compiled in this document.  In order that the JLAF can make a response, can you please consider the questions then email them to the secretary who will compile a response on behalf of the JLAF.  Please email your responses  to the secretary by Monday, the 18th October.  The secretary will then submit a JLAF response, which will also be reported to the next JLAF meeting on the 5th November.  All of the original documentation to review, and further details if you wish to make your own individual response, are on Defra's website.
20SEP10: This news was passed on by Nicola Chidley of South Gloucestershire Council.  "Trevor Antill who set up and enthusiastically managed the Monarch's Way long distance route died on 29 August.   I liased with Trevor many times and found him to be very affable and cooperative to work with in improving the Monarch's Way for members of the public to enjoy. I expect that this was true for many other public rights of way officers along the route." The Monarch's Way follows the escape of Charles II after the Battle of Worcester in 1651, from the midlands to Shoreham on the south coast, where Charles II escaped to France.  Trevor wrote three guidebooks describing the route.
20SEP10: There is a meeting of a neighbouring Local Access Forum, the Somerset Local Access Forum on 29th September. The meeting will be held at the Wincanton Memorial Hall at 2:00pm
20SEP10: On Sunday 26 September there will be an ITV Walk4Life Walk in Bristol. The event is free and open to everyone from experienced ramblers to first-time walkers and the walk will be led by local ITV West reporter Ian Axton. You can find details of the walk below. Bristol has been chosen as the location for this 'mass participation walk' which will be filmed by ITV and used to encourage people to improve their health across the UK. The event, led by Bristol Country Council's Walking for Health scheme, kicks off at 10:30am when walkers are invited to meet at the Millennium Square, Cannons Way, Anchor Road, Bristol. At 10:45 walkers will set off on a flat, harbour side walk of around two miles - with the option to walk shorter distances by taking a ferry some of the way.  Adults and families are invited to visit the newly launched www.walk4life.info website which allows people to type in their postcode to find a local walk.
20SEP10: Statement by Natural England on Coastal Access: "We are pressing on with our plans to implement Coastal Access. The first stretch of the new All-England Coast Path, at Weymouth Bay in Dorset, will open in time for the Olympic and Paralympics sailing events there in 2012. Roll out in five further areas of England’s coast will begin in 2011. The availability of future funding for wider roll out of Coastal Access is being considered as part of the current Comprehensive Spending Review."  This is the full statement.
20SEP10: Some news compiled by Hilary Winter, Regional Coordinator SW Region LAFs: Greenspace SW has been awarded £5,000 by Natural England towards 'Green Space Community Engagement & Management in the South West'. "The aim of the project is to help enable community engagement to be placed at the centre of the management of green space, by collecting case studies, networking and sharing information & best practice".  IPROW has developed an annual survey which will produce, for the first time, a full national dataset for rights of way management. "It is intended to provide useful benchmarks for participating authorities as well as figures with which to inform government and media as required."  A new report by CABE, the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment gives evidence on the relationship between urban green space, inequality, ethnicity, health and wellbeing in the largest study of its kind in England. CABE has also produced a guide to good design, aimed at councillors; particularly useful if your LAF is trying to influence councillors to consider green space.   On a similar planning theme The Rural Challenge is a series of recommendations to the Government from CPRE's Rural Coalition   A new website is the South West region's central pool of knowledge about the development and implementation of Green Infrastructure (GI).  Naomi Wright from Natural England is the key contact person on the site.  The Local Government Information Unit has produced "Walk This Way, recognising value in active health prevention." < >  The Public Rights of Way (Combined Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2010 come into force on 1st October 2010.  The Annual Report of the 2009-10 Monitor of Engagement with the Natural Environment survey is now available, following its publication this week. This national survey - undertaken by TNS Research International on behalf of Natural England, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Forestry Commission - provides baseline and trend data on how people use the natural environment in England. Fieldwork took place between March 2009 and February 2010.
June 2010
29JUN10: JLAF Member Chris Bloor has been working on a new promoted route.  "The St Andrew’s Trail is part of a project to develop the Dundry Slopes area above the relatively deprived area of Hartcliffe/Withywood into a resource for the community."  Chris has put together a document outlining this proposal, and describing how the principle of "wayfaring" might apply to this proposal.
24JUN10: The papers for the JLAF21 Meeting on the 2nd July 2010 are now published.
03JUN10: There are two events being organised by the Avon Frome Partnership.  On the evening of the 7th June 2010 there is a leisurely cycle ride to look at projects carried out with South Gloucestershire Council Wildways project.  On the 4th July is a 'Walk the Frome in a day' event on the 20 mile Frome Valley Walkway, with coaches taking you to a start point in the morning, ready for you to walk back.  Follow the links for more details.
03JUN10: There is a section on the Ramblers website referring to 'the case for walking', explaining the benefits to Health, Economics, Transport and Society (link sent to the JLAF by Hilary Winter).
May 2010
17MAY10: Consultation on proposed regulations on representations and objections under Schedule 1A to the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 as inserted under Schedule 19 to the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009. Defra are consulting on the process in which representations and objections may be made about Natural England’s coastal access proposals.  The consultation is very procedural, but the principle of how to consult with 'interested parties' is considered.  The consultation deadline is the 14th June 2010.  The consultation is on the Defra website - if JLAF members have any comments on this, please contact the secretary.
17MAY10: Natural England and the England Access Forum are currently discussing future working arrangements, and a review after two years of the EAF.  A letter jointly from the EAF Chairman and Natural England outlines this, but they want JLAF members' views by the end of September 2010.  This will be an item on JLAF21 meeting in July, but please send your views to the secretary.  Please comment on: 1. The links between EAF and the LAFs through the regional coordinators 2. The effectiveness of the links between LAFs and Natural England at a national level through EAF 3. The added value that a national body representing LAFs can bring 4. The options for EAF's development.
05MAY10: JLAF Member Chris Bloor has been involved in the opening of a walking route from Hartcliffe over Dundry Hill and into the Chew Valley, the 'St Andrews Gateway Route':  "this Saturday (8th May) at 10:15am for 10:30am is our walk from Bishport Avenue to Chew Magna to celebrate the opening up of the path up the Dundry Slopes. If you come by car, I would advise coming early enough to walk from the Morrisons car park off Hareclive Road."  There is a poster for this event.
04MAY10: The Stakeholder Working Group on Unrecorded Public Rights of Way has issued their recommendations to government.  The report, 'Stepping Forward" (PDF) recommends a package of legal and procedural changes that would require detailed implementation by Government.  Natural England have issued a press release.
04MAY10: News articles of interest, from Google News: Green' exercise quickly 'boosts mental health' BBC News - May 1, 2010 Just five minutes of exercise in a "green space" such as a park can boost mental health, researchers claim. There is growing evidence that combining activities such as walking or cycling with nature boosts well-being. Five minutes of nature a day keeps the blues at bay: study National Post Telegraph.co.uk - Scotsman - Daily Mail all 118 news articles »
April 2010
23APR10: An opening ceremony was organised by The Ramblers on the 21st April for the new public Footpath along the Cotswold Escarpment on Access Land at Lansdown.  The JLAF has advised the Council on the value of this site for a number of years. Three sets of photographs at the opening ceremony - taken by the JLAF Deputy Chairman Ron Phelps - are here, here and here (pictures open in new windows).  The Ramblers have issued a press release.  The Bath & North East Somerset Council press release is below: "New public right of way open Bath & North East Somerset Council has worked with partners to create a new public footpath on the outskirts of Bath. The new footpath, which is now open, runs from Lansdown Lane along the edge of the playing fields and then crosses into fields and hills before meeting a pre-existing footpath opposite Granville Road. It provides views of Beckford's Tower, the western part of Bath and the countryside beyond. The footpath, which is just over a mile long, is stile-free and relatively flat and is accessible to less mobile members of the public. The path has been created by the Council’s Public Rights Of Way team, supported by the Ramblers' Association, local residents and the Joint Local Access Forum and. The Cotswold Voluntary Wardens have also installed some kissing gates and repaired traditional dry stone walling near the path. About 900 kilometres of public rights of way are maintained by Bath & North East Somerset Council for the benefit of local residents and visitors. Graeme Stark, Bath & North East Somerset Council's Public Rights of Way Officer, said, “Promoting walking is an essential part of the Council’s efforts to reduce reliance on cars whilst promoting exercise. Thousands of people enjoy public rights of way and we are delighted to be opening up this new path in partnership with the Ramblers Association.” David Waterstone, Chair of both the local Ramblers and Cotswold area wardens, said, "The final agreed solution was a very satisfactory compromise, in which a new path with stunning views across the Severn Vale was obtained, and a route through the farmyard, understandably inconvenient to the farmer, was relinquished. The new path is about a mile long, but can be incorporated in several circular routes around the area, Bath & North East Somerset Council is producing a booklet of routes which will be available from local outlets, like pubs, in the area."
The Department of Communities & Local Government has published its response to their 'Ordnance Survey Free' consultation.  This sets out the package of datasets and products from Ordnance Survey that will be made available for free use and re-use from 1 April 2010.  The JLAF had responded to that consultation. Two of the products that were proposed for free use in the consultation but which are now not to be released for free are the 1:25000 and 1:50000 Scale Colour Raster maps.  These are digital copies of the Explorer and Landranger paper maps.  Instead, there will be a new product: 'OS VectorMap District' to be released on the 1st May 2010: "This change addresses two concerns expressed by respondents about both the inclusion of 1:25000 and 1:50000 raster products. These were the potential damage to the national coverage of Ordnance Survey Landranger and Explorer paper maps and the absence of a mid-scale vector product to enable further innovation by developers. The changes will therefore increase the economic benefit of OS OpenData." (page 16 of response) The Ordnance Survey have already released some of their datasets for free use by the public.  The data can be viewed or downloaded from the OS Opendata website.  The data includes the following products: 1:50000 Scale Gazetteer, 1:250000 Scale Colour Raster, Boundary-Line™, Code-Point Open, Land-Form PANORAMA®, Contours Meridian™ 2, MiniScale®, OS Locator Strategi®, OS Street View®. In considering these products for outdoors use, none of the datasets (including the mockup of the OS VectorMap District) show field boundaries.
March 2010
"Value for Money: An Economic Assessment of Investment in Walking and Cycling" by Dr Adrian Davis, NHS (March 2010), provides some very useful statistics on the benefits of walking and cycling, particularly health cost savings. It provides helpful evidence based statistics to support LAF responses to Local Development Framework and Local Transport Plan etc. consultations. From the ROWIP point of view it also produces interesting information on how many additional cyclists are needed for a given scheme cost for it to produce an economic benefit, focussing on both urban and rural scenarios (sent to the JLAF by Hilary Winter).
The second Bristol and Bath Railway Path Quarterly Update has been published.  More information is on the Bristol and Bath Railway Path website.
29MAR10: The Stakeholder Group on reforming the legislative process for rights of way has now finalised its report and delivered this to Natural England who in turn have sent it to Government, emphasising that the report "is a cohesive and balanced package of recommendations, and that the consensus established around them is dependent on all of them being implemented in full."  The Government has been urged to: - Commission Defra officials to work up quickly the detailed legal changes needed to give effect to the Group's recommendations, and - Consult widely with stakeholders to ensure that such changes fully reflect their needs for an improved system.
Issue 43 (28JAN'10), Issue 44 (23MAR'10) and Issue 45 (30MAR'10) of Defra's Access Newsletter are available, particularly covering news on Coastal Access legislation.  Older newsletters are available on their website.
The draft minutes for the JLAF20 meeting, held on the 5th March, have now been published.
Duncan Graham, England Access Forum, attended a meeting in January convened by Natural England, on livestock and access. The minutes have been published.
04MAR10: The Department of Communities and Local Government are carrying out a consultation on releasing Ordnance Survey Products for free use, under the heading: "Ordnance Survey Free". The 91 page consultation document is very involved, but responses are summarised under 12 questions. The consultation is open until the 17th March 2010, but the JLAF only discovered it’s existence recently. The Deputy Chairman has considered the consultation and proposes the following response, to be considered by the JLAF before the 10th March 2010. Draft JLAF Response to: Policy Options for Geographic Information from Ordnance Survey
04MAR10: The notes of the JLAF OutdoorsWest working group meeting 1, held on Friday 26th February 2010, have now been published.
February 2010
19FEB10: Hilary Winter has compiled a very useful update on news from Natural England.
A new publication from Natural England is the Higher Level Stewardship Handbook which will be available to farmers and land managers applying for stewardship from February 2010.  Page 63 of the publication refers to the payments available for access options. These are: - Permissive linear and open access - Permissive bridleway and cycle path access - to include upgrading CRoW Act access to accommodate cyclists and horses - Access for people with reduced mobility - again to include upgrading CRoW Act access land - Educational access.
The Countryside Code is now on the Natural England website as the Countryside Access website is closing.
12FEB10: The papers have been published for next full JLAF meeting (JLAF 20) is on the 5th March 2010 in Fry Club, Somerdale, Keynsham.
11FEB10: There will be a meeting of the JLAF Local Walks and Rides Working Group on the 26th February in Riverside, Temple Street, Keynsham. BS31 1LA.  A dedicated "publicity" web page has been set up for this group, including meeting papers and background information.
2009
24NOV09: The Draft Minutes of the JLAF19 meeting on 6th November have been published.  They are 'draft' until agreed at the next full JLAF meeting.
19NOV09: Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (this summary is from Defra's Access Newsletter) On 12 November 2009 the Marine and Coastal Access Bill received Royal Assent and became an Act of Parliament. The Act helps fulfil the Government’s 2005 election manifesto commitments to: (1) introduce a new marine management framework, based on marine spatial planning – which aims to balance conservation, energy and resource needs; and (2) improve access to the English coast. Part 9 of the Marine and Coastal Access (MCA) Act 2009 introduces new powers to extend public recreational access to the English coast. Its provisions place a duty on the Secretary of State and Natural England to secure, as far as possible, a continuous, signed and managed long distance route and wider spreading room which will be accessible on foot. To achieve this, the Act amends existing legislation – namely the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 and the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. A paper explaining how the coastal access provisions will work is available here on Defra’s web-site  Further information and key background documents relating to the history of the MCA Bill are here on the Defra website. Copies of the MCA Act are available here on the Office for Public Sector Information website.
19NOV09: As the Marine And Coastal Access Act 2009 is passed, Natural England have launched a consultation on the Coastal Access Scheme, the methodology by which Coastal Land will be opened for access.  The deadline is the 5th February 2010.  The JLAF received a summary email on this consultation,  and there is a consultation page on the Natural England website with a summary, a link to an online form for submitting responses and the very detailled document.  The JLAF has established a working group to consider this consultation, and members of that group will receive more detailed information, and paper copies of the documents separately.  Any other members who wish to get involved can contact the secretary, or respond to the consultation on an individual basis.
19NOV09: Defra have published issue 42 of their Access Newsletter.
19NOV09: The JLAF have received a letter about the Forest of Avon.  Forest of Avon Partnership ended on the 31st October 2009.  The body has been responsible for carrying out landscape, woodland and access improvements in its area (Bristol and its surrounds).  A new organisation, the Forest of Avon Trust has been established to continue some work in this area.
19NOV09: The JLAF have received an email about a programme of work by the British Heart Foundation, reviewing the Physical Activity Guidelines in the UK.  More information can be found at http://www.bhfactive.org.uk/ or you can register for email updates on this programme at http://bhf.mosaic-digital.co.uk/.
04NOV09: Following the closure of the Discovering Lost Ways project, a Stakeholder's Working Group has been looking at PROW processes and legislation.  A draft Outline Agreement was distributed in the summer, and the JLAF Officers responded with their comments on this paper at short notice.
04NOV09: There was Cross party support of the value of Local Access Forums by Richard Benyon MP, Huw Irranca-Davies MP and Nick Herbert MP in parliament during a debate on Coastal Access (in the Marine Bill).
04NOV09: Natural England have published guidance on the links between Rights of Way Improvement Plans (ROWIPs) and Local Transport Plans (LTPs)
October 2009
28OCT09: The Agenda and Papers for the next JLAF meeting of the JLAF (JLAF 19) on the 6th November 2009 are now published.  Paper copies are in the post to JLAF Members.
02OCT09: JLAF MEMBER ACTION by 9th October 2009. REGIONAL LAF CONFERENCE TUESDAY, 20th OCTOBER 2009. From Hilary Winter, SW LAF Co-ordinator: Our regional event this year will be at the Genesis Centre, Somerset College of Arts and Technology, Taunton. I very much hope each LAF will be represented by three or four members and your Secretary will soon have booking forms and a full programme for the day. Keynote speaker for the day, Terry Robinson, Head of People and Access Policy, Natural England, will be giving a presentation on Natural England’s Access and Recreation Policy and the role of LAFs. Workshop subjects will be on: · Involving LAFs and local people in the coastal access implementation process. · Local Transport Plan 3 – the role of RoWIPs and the LAF. · The health agenda and LAFs. · Sustrans – implementation of regional policy and working more effectively with LAFs. It should be a useful day with opportunities to learn about key topics for LAFs and, importantly, to network with other LAF members from across the region. JLAF Members, please contact the Secretary by the 9th October if they wish to attend this day.  Please bear in mind that places are limited so this is a request for an expression of interest and availability.
02OCT09: JLAF MEMBER ACTION by 26th October 2009. Following a short consultation with the JLAF last month, Natural England are now carrying out a Statutory Review of the Access Land Restriction at Barn Field, Upper Chelscombe near Bath. This is known as Statutory Review Case 2009050241. This consultation will close on 4th November 2009.  Please see the consultation notice and plan. Please also see the Natural England website where this information also appears.  In accordance with statutory guidance, Natural England has a duty to: • review directions of a long-term character no later than their fifth anniversary; and  • revoke or vary directions where necessary. Under CROW section 27(3) the relevant authority (Natural England) must review, at least every five years, any direction it has given that restricts access indefinitely; for part of every year; for part of each of six or more consecutive calendar years; or for a specified period of more than five years. During the review the relevant authority must, having regard to the interest of the public in having access to the land, consider whether the restriction is still necessary for its original purpose; and if so, whether the extent and nature of the restriction is still appropriate for the original purpose. JLAF Members: If you wish to add anything to a response you might have previously made regarding Barn Field, please send it to me by the 27th October.  This consultation will close on 4th November 2009, but please send contributions to the JLAF responses by the 27th October to be compiled.
September 2009
16SEP09: Defra are consulting on proposals to make some amendments to the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 to allow for Coastal Access.  The "Consultation on proposals to amend the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 for coastal land" refers to amendments in the The Marine and Coastal Access (MCA) Bill which is passing through parliament, and includes proposals to establish a Coastal Access Right.  This coastal access consultation is on this page on Defra's website and the deadline for responses is Tuesday, the 1st December 2009.  JLAF Members can request a paper copy of the documents from the secretary.
16SEP09: Defra have published their Access Newsletter, Issue 41, for September 2009, highlighting a consultation on Coastal Access.  Previous versions of the Access newsletter can be found on Defra's website.
15SEP09: The JLAF Annual Newsletter and Report (PDF document) has been published.  It covers the period from April 2008 to March 2009 and gives an overview of the function of the JLAF.
15SEP09: JLAF MEMBER ACTION BY 5th October 2009: The JLAF has received a letter from South Gloucestershire Council.  The letter proposes a Gating Order at Kipling Road, Filton, and includes a draft Order, as well as maps and some evidence.  JLAF Members can request paper copies from the Secretary.  The JLAF, as well as other consultees such as local residents, have until the 14th October to respond to this consultation.  If the Council should proceed with the proposal, the JLAF will be formally notified when a Gating Order is made.  The JLAF now have a Position Statement on Gating Orders, agreed at the last meeting, which will be submitted as part of a JLAF response.  If JLAF Members have anything to add to this statement, either applying to this particular case, or to the general principle of gating orders, please submit them to the JLAF Secretary by Monday the 5th October 2009.   JLAF Members may wish to make their own representations to South Gloucestershire Council.
15SEP09: Hilary Winter, Regional Coordinator of SW Region LAFs, has compiled a Newsletter for Local Access Forums in the South West of England.
15SEP09: Bath & North East Somerset Council, Bristol City Council and South Gloucestershire Council have now all adopted a Joint Path Order Policy - which was an action outlined in the joint Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP).  This is the B&NES copy of the Path Order Policy.
August 2009
21AUG09: JLAF MEMBER ACTION BY 14SEP09: Bath & North East Somerset Council has written to the JLAF with a consultation on a Creation Order for a new public footpath at Chelscombe Farm on Lansdown just outside Bath.  The JLAF has had an ongoing interest in this site, since it was mapped as Access Land.  This Creation Order would create a significant new link along the edge of the Cotswold Escarpment north of Bath.  The letter contains the Statutory Notice relating to this Creation Order.  JLAF Members: (and anyone else) can respond directly to this consultation by the 17th September 2009, or you can send your response to the Secretary of the JLAF by the 14th September to be compiled and forwarded as a JLAF response.
21AUG09: JLAF MEMBER ACTION BY 01SEP09: The JLAF has received notification from Natural England that it is reviewing the Access Land Restriction at Barn Field, Upper Chelscombe. This is a piece of Access Land north-east of Bath. The JLAF advised in 2004 that the land could be closed whilst there were cattle in the field, because of the danger to the public from the Limousin Breed of cattle, particularly on this steep land where there is a maze of cut-throughs in the vegetation. There is a two week notification period at this stage, following which Natural England will decide if the restriction case is NO CHANGE/ VARY/ REVOKE. Following this, If the case is no change (i.e. everything is the same as it was at the time of the initial application), then it is the end of the matter. If Natural England needs to VARY or REVOKE the restriction, there will be a second 4 to 5 week consultation period where the JLAF can respond. The applicant would also have a right of appeal against any decision made after this second consultation From Natural England: "Please see the attached review documents for Statutory Review Case 2009050241. This initial consultation will close on 1st September 2009. Please also see http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/enjoying/places/openaccess/consultationappeals.aspx In accordance with statutory guidance, Natural England has a duty to: " review directions of a long-term character no later than their fifth anniversary; and " revoke or vary directions where necessary. Under CROW section 27(3) the relevant authority must review, at least every five years, any direction it has given that restricts access indefinitely; for part of every year; for part of each of six or more consecutive calendar years; or for a specified period of more than five years. During the review the relevant authority must, having regard to the interest of the public in having access to the land, consider whether the restriction is still necessary for its original purpose; and if so, whether the extent and nature of the restriction is still appropriate for the original purpose." JLAF Members: can respond to the JLAF Secretary by the 1st September with any comments on this matter.
14AUG09: The 'Stakeholders Working Group' (SWG) was set up following the end of the Discovering Lost Ways (DLW) Project.  DLW was intended to legally protect existing, but unrecorded public rights of way across England and Wales.  This potentially massive project closed following a review of its feasibility.  The SWG was set up to recommend on reforms to Public Rights of Way law to ease the recording of existing Public Rights of Way.  The SWG have released this paper -  they are said to be 'moving towards a consensus over a package of procedural reforms'.
14AUG09: Defra have published their Access Newsletter, Issue 40, for August 2009, highlighting news on the introduction of Coastal Access to England.  Previous versions of the Access newsletter can be found on Defra's website.
11AUG09: Natural England had a board meeting on Wednesday, the 29th July 2009.  The papers for the meeting are on this page on their website.
10AUG09: The Chairman of the JLAF has written to Peter Jackson, Director of Planning at South Gloucestershire Council expressing concern about the possible withdrawal of walking leaflets in South Gloucestershire.
10AUG09: The JLAF have received a Briefing Note on the changes that are taking place to the open access restrictions casework system administered by Natural England.
10AUG09: Natural England have published a newsletter highlighting the Walking the Way to Health programme in their Glos, Wilts and West of England Region.
04AUG09: Natural England published [on the 31st July] 'region by region maps showing that the public do not have full access to over a third of England’s coastline'.  These maps and the accompanying report can be found on Natural England (NE)'s website.  This follows a survey undertaken by NE in preparation for the Marine and Coastal Access Bill, which is expect to go through Parliament in the autumn
July 2009
31JUL09: The draft minutes for the JLAF18 meeting, held on the 3rd July, have now been published.
31JUL09: JLAF MEMBER ACTION BY 14SEP09: The Forestry Commission have contacted all Local Access Forums in England as part of their consultation: 'The Long-term Role of the Public Forest Estate in England'. This consultation is part of a study to: 'consider the future long term sustainable role for the public forest estate making recommendations about any necessary changes to improve its ability to deliver relevant priorities in the Strategy for England's Trees Woods and Forests and contribute to other government objectives' There is a consultation page on the Forestry Commission website, and there are two key documents:      - The consultation document itself: The Long-term Role of the Public Forest Estate in England (4Mb PDF file, 76xA4 pages)      - The consultation response form (553Kb interactive PDF file, 22xA4 pages) JLAF members can request paper copies of these documents from the JLAF Secretary. The JLAF intends to make a response to this consultation.  JLAF Members: please send your views on this consultation to the JLAF Secretary by Monday 14th September, who will compile them as a JLAF response.  It would be helpful if you could format your responses using the Forestry Commission's response form - though this is not essential.
June 2009
03JUN09: The next meeting of the JLAF is at 2pm on the 3rd July 2009 in Keynsham.  This meeting is held in public.  The papers have now been published on this website and JLAF members will receive copies in the post in the next few days.
03JUN09: Defra, the government department, has written a letter to all Local Access Forums (LAFs) to outline a few changes to the Statutory Guidance on LAFs.  The letter outlines the changes, and can be inserted into the 2007 guidance, or the revised 2009 Guidance is available in its entirety.
03JUN09: Essex Local Access Forum have written to Suffolk LAF on the subject of the severance of public rights of way by major roads, where the major roads are too busy to cross safely, where it is physically not possible to cross or where paths become dead ended through legal extinguishment.  Essex LAF wanted to express support for Suffolk LAF's lobbying of the Highways Agency on this matter.
03JUN09: The Marine and Coastal Access Bill is currently being debated in the House of Lords, shown on the parliament website.  The current text of the Bill is here and an overview of the Bill which would introduce a new right of access to the coast is on the Defra website.
May 2009
27MAY09: "Put your best foot forward on Get Walking Day this Saturday, 30 May. The day is an opportunity for thousands of people to enjoy a short, free introductory walk with the Ramblers. There is a Get Walking Day walk taking place in the Cam Valley which everyone is welcome to join. Full details of the walk are on the Ramblers website."
18MAY09: A meeting arranged for the Chairs of Local Access Forums from the South West of England was held on the 12th May in Taunton.  Ray Newbigin attended as the Chairman of the JLAF.  The notes of the meeting have now been published.  At that meeting, an election took place where Ray Newbigin was appointed to attend the  England Access Forum, on behalf of the SW England Region, along with Paul Heal, Chairman of Somerset LAF.
18MAY09: British Waterways today launches a national debate at the House of Commons about the future of Britain's former industrial waterways, and their role in the 21st century. The organisation is proposing that its 2,200 miles of canals and rivers should, over time, be moved out of direct state control and into a new ‘national trust’ for the waterways in order to continue the renaissance of the 200 year old network.  Over 260 million visits are made to waterways each year by walkers, anglers, cyclists and nature lovers.  The press release and a related article from the Bath Chronicle are in this document.
15MAY09: Each council issues press releases which may sometimes be of interest, for example at Bath & North East Somerset: "Schools join in Walk to School Week", at Bristol City Council: "2009 Bristol Half Marathon running workshops" and at South Gloucestershire: "Plans for new Cycling City routes go on display".  These three press releases are compiled here.
12MAY09: Natural England has today issued a consultation letter regarding "Open Access Guidance for relevant authorities - Phase 2".  The following has been taken from their website: "Natural England has a duty to provide guidance to the relevant authorities that administer restrictions on open access rights in England. We want to update our guidance, building on experience of administering restrictions since March 2004. In 2007 we completed a first phase review of the guidance to relevant authorities. During the review we identified areas that we intended to consult on at a future date. This paper outlines our current position on those areas. Before recommending amendments to the Secretary of State, we want to give interested people a chance to comment on them. Our proposals are set out in full in this paper. Closing date 4 August 2009.  Issued 12 May 2009"
11MAY09: The JLAF have responded to Bristol City Council's informal consultation on a prospective Gating Order at Public Right of Way 163, in Fishponds, Bristol.
07MAY09: One of the JLAF's neighbours, the Somerset LAF, has at meeting at County Hall in Taunton at 6pm on Wednesday 13th May.
05MAY09: This article in the Bristol Evening Post may be of interest - it is about Horse Riding in Knowle West in Bristol.
05MAY09: The deadline for applications for JLAF Membership has been extended by one week.  The deadline is now Friday the 22nd May 2009.  More information is on the Apply page.
April 2009
24APR09: There is a guide, published in March 2005 and available from Natural England called: "Managing Public Access - A Guide for Land Managers".  This document, endorsed by the Country Land and Business Association and the National Farmers Union, may be of particular interest to JLAF members and others.
24APR09: There was an England Access Forum (EAF) meeting on the 11th March 2009.  There is an Agenda and Background Papers for the meeting.  The Minutes of this meeting are also available.  Subjects covered at this meeting include: Gating Orders, Diversity and Equality, LAFs’ strategic influence of Highway Authorities, Access Policy and NE's Review of Trails and Routes.
24APR09: There was a presentation at the England Access Forum (EAF) on the 11th March 2009 about 'Outdoors for all', Defra's Action Plan 'to increase the number of people from under-represented groups who access the natural environment' (also available in an 'easy read' version).  This document outlines how Defra, Natural England and others will be achieving the Vision of "England’s natural beauty, from its rural countryside and varied coastline to the urban green spaces closer to home, is enjoyed by everyone."  The presentation includes some suggested actions for Local Access Forums.
24APR09: The EAF had a working group meeting in November 2008, that discussed matters such as: Gating Orders, Bicycles on Trains and RoW - monitoring quality.  The working group minutes are available.
20APR09: At the JLAF meeting on the 6th March, members were shown two locations where gating of public rights of way have been proposed. This is reflected in the draft minutes of the meeting.  There are also details in the background papers for that meeting on the same page. One location was in Filton, South Gloucestershire where a formal Gating Order had been made. The other location was Public Right of Way No. 163 from Oldbury Court Road to Vassall Road in Fishponds. As the JLAF is a statutory consultee once a Gating Order is made (though this proposal is prior to that process) the JLAF will be responding to this consultation. As agreed at the JLAF meeting on the 6th March, please will you consider this proposal and respond this time by email to Ron Phelps, the Deputy Chairman of the JLAF by the 5th May 2009.  Ron will then collate the responses he receives, drawing together any consensus that emerges in JLAF Members' responses. In responding to this consultation, you may also want to consider a document prepared by the JLAF Chairmen and sent to the Councils in January, outlining issues that Councils should consider when considering making Gating Orders. If Bristol City Council resolves to make a Gating Order at this site, the JLAF will be consulted again.
March 2009
27MAR09: The Draft Minutes for the JLAF17 meeting held on the 6th March have been published.
12MAR09: The Deputy Chairman of the JLAF, Ron Phelps, attended a SE England conference for LAFs on the 3rd of March and has written a summary report on that conference (PDF file, 62Kb, 2xA4 pages).
11MAR09: Please review the websites shown under 'Actions for JLAF Members'.  Please help with advice for a new Outdoors Access website for this area.
06MAR09: There is a meeting of the JLAF at 2:00pm at Fry Club, Somerdale, Keynsham
February 2009
11FEB09: The Agenda and Background Papers for the next meeting (JLAF17) on the 6th March have been published.  There are more details on the meetings section of this website.
04FEB09: The Environment Agency's report 'Enjoying Water, A strategy for water based recreation in the South West' (PDF file, 1.1Mb, 16xA4 pages) has been published.
02FEB09: Following discussion on Gating Orders at the last JLAF meeting, a JLAF paper on consultations for Gating Orders (PDF file, 69Kb, 2xA4 pages) has recently been submitted to South Glos Council and also sent to B&NES Council and Bristol City Council.
January 2009
30JAN09: 1SW Off-road Cycling Project have published their January update (link to external website).
22JAN09: There will be a Cycling City (Bristol) briefing session on Thursday 5th February. This drop in session runs between 5pm and 7pm in the Drawing Room of The Marriott Royal Hotel, College Green, BRISTOL, BS1 5TA. There will be an opportunity to meet the project team and look at the Cycling City programme. Light refreshments will be available. Please let the team know if you are interested in attending by emailing cycling.city@bristol.gov.uk.
22JAN09: 1SW Off-road Cycling Project (link to external website) aims to develop 'the south west of England as a world-class off-road cycling region for all to enjoy’.  The south west is the most visited region in England and demand for off-road cycling in the south west outstrips the supply of managed facilities to enable this activity.  The 1SW project is funded by Sport England's Community Investment Fund and aims to increase the total number of active off-road cycling visits to the area by over 200,000 over the next 4 years.  1SW Project Manager Paul Hawkins recently gave a presentation (PDF file, 1.069Mb, 21xA4 pages) to South West public rights of way officers.
22JAN09: Ron Phelps, the Deputy Chairman of the JLAF, attended a session held by South West Planning Aid in Bath & North East Somerset on the 24th November 2008 and wrote up some notes shortly afterwards.  The session and notes cover Section 106 payments (PDF file, 53Kb, 1xA4 page). S106 payments are made, through the planning process, by developers for works that mitigate the impact of the development.  Such works could include improvements to public rights of way and the provision of other outdoors access.
21JAN09: The Stakeholder Working Group (link to external website) was set up by Natural England after the Discovering Lost Ways project was dropped. It is looking at improving public rights of way, and has been examining the issues surrounding the process of making changes to the definitive map based on historic evidence.  The notes of their latest meeting (PDF file, 102Kb, 10xA4 pages) have been issued. The group now wants to hear from people who have experience of trying to amend the definitive map. This includes local authority officers, applicants or others affected by proposed changes.  They want to hear about specific examples of what problems have arisen, what the impact has been and how the situation was resolved. It would also be good to know of success stories, where the system and processes have worked well.  The evidence collected will be added to the body of knowledge amassed during the Discovering Lost Ways project, with the aim for the Group to reach agreement on a package of measures which will bring real and lasting benefits to the various interests affected by changes to the public rights of way system. The Group will report by December 2009.  So, if you have knowledge yourself or know stakeholders who may like to contribute, please send examples to swg@naturalengland.org.uk.  Closing date 27 February.
21JAN09: Two publications may be of interest to JLAF members: Natural England’s Draft Policy on Inspiring People to Value and Conserve the Natural Environment (link to external website);  Natural England’s Draft Policy on Transport and the Natural Environment (link to external website).
16JAN09: Following a meeting of the JLAF officers with Bristol Water about the proposed Chew Valley Lake Trail, the Chairman of the JLAF has written to Cllr Charles Gerrish (PDF file, 136Kb, 1xA4 page), Executive Member for Customer Services at Bath & North East Somerset Council.
16JAN09: Public consultation on the Draft Public Realm & Movement Strategy for B&NES (link to external website) is underway for a six week period until 20 February. "The strategy is based on a big idea that Bath's public realm - the streets and spaces between its buildings - should be recognised, invested in and managed as one of the city's most exciting assets. It also proposes that Bath should become the UK's most walkable city, with the public realm being viewed as a canvas upon which a healthier, more vibrant, inclusive and dynamic public life can be established."
December 2008
23DEC08: A B&NES Executive Member Report on 'Equestrian Access on pedestrian and cycle paths - multi use trial review' has now been published for the Cllr Charles Gerrish to make a decision after the 31st Dec 08.  If you would like to make a representation on this please send and an email to transportation@bathnes.gov.uk or write to Bath and North East Somerset Council, Planning and Transport Development, Riverside, Temple Street, Keynsham, BRISTOL. BS31 1LA.
18DEC08: On the 18th December the JLAF received a response from the Department for Transport (PDF file, 244Kb, 2xA4 pages) to their letter sent to DfT on the 7th November.
18DEC08: The England Access Forum (EAF) received a letter (PDF file, 472Kb, 2xA4 pages) in response to their letter to Defra about funding for ROWIPs.
18DEC08: Natural England carried out a review of Rights of Way Improvement Plans across England and have published the results (link to external website).  The Joint Rights of Way Improvement Plan covering the JLAF area was assessed as: "Good – some good practice and / or exceeding requirements in some areas".
17DEC08: On the 8th December the JLAF received a response from Defra (PDF file, 317Kb, 2xA4 pages) to their letter of the 7th November, originally sent to DfT.
10DEC08: Natural England have launched a consultation on National Trails and Routes, the deadline for which is the 6th February 2009.  Most relevant information is in the main consultation document (PDF file, 144Kb, 16xA4 pages) including the consultation questions from page 9.  There is also a summary of the main findings and implications from a review (PDF file, 182Kb, 17xA4 pages) of National Trails undertaken for Natural England, or the full report "The Market for Strategic Recreational Routes" (PDF file, 481Kb, 61 pages) and a Natural England presentation (PowerPoint file, 863Kb) about this subject that might be of interest.  This is significant to the JLAF area as the Cotswold Way National Trail runs through the area as well as other regional routes.
10DEC08: Following its inclusion in the Queen's Speech on the 3rd December, the Marine and Coastal Access Bill (link to Parliament website) was published on the 5th December, and is due to have its second reading in the House of Lords on 15 December  This Bill includes provisions for a new right of access for people to walk round the English coast for the first time.  More background information to the Bill (link to external website) from Defra.
10DEC08: At the JLAF meeting on the 7th November, Bristol City Council consulted the JLAF on their Draft Gating Order Policy.  A copy of South Gloucestershire Council's Gating Order Policy (PDF file, 105Kb, 10xA4 pages) was requested at that meeting.
08DEC08: The British Horse Society (BHS) has revised its leaflets on riding on beaches and along estuaries and they appear on their website with other BHS equestrian access information (link to external site).
08DEC08: Following the JLAF's prompt, the England Access Forum (EAF) has sent letters to the Secretary of State for Transport (PDF file, 50Kb, 1xA4 page) and the Minister for the Natural Environment, Wildlife and Rural Affairs (PDF file, 47Kb, 1xA4 page) highlighting the potential benefits of spending on access projects.
08DEC08: The Chairman of the JLAF received a letter from DfT (JPG image, 366Kb) advising that his correspondence had been forwarded to Defra.  The Chairman's response was sent by email (PDF file, 73Kb, 1xA4 page).
08DEC08: Natural England recently gave LAFs an opportunity to comment on their draft Outdoor Access Policy (PDF file, 63Kb, 10xA4 pages).  Hilary Winter, the South West England LAF Coordinator, compiled and submitted a joint SW England LAFs response to the draft policy (PDF file, 111Kb, 7xA4 pages), including the JLAF response ratified at the last meeting on the 7th November.
08DEC08: The Chairman of the JLAF wrote (PDF file, 139Kb, 1xA4 page) to the Secretary of State for Transport immediately following a resolution to do so at the JLAF Meeting on the 7th November, highlighting resources for local transport improvements.
05DEC08: Following members' suggestions at the November JLAF meeting, the JLAF website has being reorganised - hopefully to make the site easier to navigate and less cluttered.  The main menu has been changed, with a new 'news and business' section and the five most recent items showing on the site's front page.  The meeting pages are now much simpler.   Many pages have been made shorter by moving older information away from the main pages.  Information that has arrived whilst these changes have been made will be added to the 'news and business' page over the next few days.  If you have any comments or suggestions, please contact us.
05DEC08: The Draft Minutes of the last JLAF meeting (JLAF16) on the 7th November are now available.
November 2008
JLAF Meeting (JLAF16) on the 7th November 2008.
06NOV08: This paper has been prepared by Andrew Short, a JLAF Member for the JLAF16 meeting of 07NOV08, an annotated summary of the Bristol Cycling (PDF file, 87Kb, 5xA4 pages) Demonstration report.
03NOV08: ROWIP Review of Signs.  As part of the Council's implementation of the Rights of Way Improvement Plan, a review of the use and design of signs on Public Rights of Way is underway.  A page on the JLAF website has been set up to assist with this review, at www.jlaf.org.uk/wayfinding.  This includes a gallery of signs for JLAF members to review and for further examples (good and bad) to be added to for consideration.
October 2008
30OCT08: The Agenda is now available for the next meeting of the JLAF on the 7th November.
29OCT08: There are two South West England positions on the England Access Forum (EAF) who are sent as representatives of SW LAFs, and drawn from LAF membership.  There is a vacancy for one of these two positions and JLAF Members along with all SW England LAF members are invited to apply by the 14th November.  Further details are in this email (PDF file, 73Kb, 1xA4 page) and by contacting the JLAF Secretary.  This will be raised at the next JLAF meeting on the 7th November.
29OCT08: Natural England has agreed with the new England Access Forum (EAF) which will allow the appointment of part-time paid Regional Co-ordinators in all regions, plus some scope for training events and regional meetings, as well as the establishment and supporting of the EAF.  Hilary Winter will once again be engaged by Natural England as SW Regional Co-ordinator for LAFs, initially for the period to 31 March 2009.
27OCT08: The Cabinet of Bristol City Council will be considering a report on the Cycling City Project (PDF file, 1.4Mb, 16xA4 pages) at their meeting at 4pm on the 30th October 2008.  Full details of the meeting and a webcast of the meeting are available on this page of the Bristol City Council website.  A related press release is available on this page (links to external websites).  A similar report (PDF file, 1.5Mb, 13xA4 pages) went to the 15th October meeting of the Planning, Transport and Strategic Environment Select Committee (link to external website) of South Gloucestershire Council.
24OCT08: The Chairman of the JLAF, Ray Newbigin has today written to Bath & North East Somerset Council about a planning application for a new route by Chew Valley Lake.  The letter (PDF file, 114Kb, 2xA4 pages) requests that the application is processed as promptly as possible if planning consent can be granted.
14OCT08: Natural England have revised and republished their short "guide to definitive maps and changes to public rights of way" booklet.  This, and other useful information can be found on their publications website.
14OCT08: The England Access Forum now has its own place on Natural England's website. See: http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/leisure/access/eaf/default.htm.
09OCT08: A newsletter (PDF file, 533Kb, 11xA4 pages) has been published for August to September 2008 by South West WHI (Walking the way to Health Initiative).
09OCT08: Following the government reshuffle, there is a new Minister at Defra with particular responsibility for matters relevant to the JLAF: Huw Irranca-Davies MP, Minister for the Natural and Marine Environment, Wildlife and Rural Affairs.  Further information is on this page on the Defra website (link to website).
08OCT08: This National Trail presentation (PDF file, 263Kb, 9xA4 pages), as delivered at the England Access Forum meeting. At the regional coordinators meeting yesterday Peter Ashcroft, NE Secretary of EAF, said that if any LAFs wished to input into the three questions to LAFs at the end of the presentation please could he have comments next week (by Friday 17th October 2008). Bear in mind that the review covers strategic recreational routes and NOT just National Trails so this covers many more routes. Any comments will inform the final consultation document which he is currently writing. The final consultation will be out later in the year and there will, of course, be the opportunity to make full comments at this stage. Peter's e-mail is Peter.Ashcroft@naturalengland.org.uk. Please respond directly to this address with a copy to the secretary of the JLAF.
08OCT08: The England Access Forum Minutes (PDF file, 60Kb, 3xA4 pages) have already been published, along with a copy of the English Access Forum Constitution (PDF file, 67Kb, 4xA4 pages).
08OCT09: The England Access Forum met on the 23rd September.  The minutes of the meeting will be posted here, but for now the Chairman of Devon's LAF who attended the meeting has written up his notes of that meeting (PDF file, 45Kb, 1xA4 page).
September  2008
19SEP09: Clear links have been added to every page of this website to the National LAF Members' Handbook (link to another page on this site).  This is a useful resource for JLAF members to compare best practice and ideas of other (J)LAFs around England.
19SEP08: JLAF Chairmen recently attended a meeting of the North Somerset LAF.  At that meeting (minute LAF75) (link to website) it was suggested that the JLAF and the North Somerset LAF could work closely on some matters of joint interest.  The JLAF and the North Somerset LAF also asked the councils to ensure that both Forums had copies of both Rights of Way Improvement Plans.  North Somerset's ROWIP is found on North Somerset Council's website.
18SEP08: The England Access Forum have their second meeting on Tuesday the 23rd September 2008 in Cheltenham.  The agenda and papers (PDF file, 104k, 14xA4 pages) for this meeting have been published.
August 2008
19AUG08: "The Rights of Way Review Committee is a non-statutory committee which reviews matters relating to public rights of way in England and Wales with the aim of agreeing, by consensus, proposals for action".  This group had a meeting on the 10th July 2008 and here are the papers of that meeting: Agenda (PDF file, 80Kb, 1xA4 page), Draft Minutes ( PDF file, 132Kb, 4xA4 pages) and Membership of the Rights of Way Review Committee (PDF file, 56Kb, 1xA4 page).
12AUG08: The Draft Minutes (PDF file, 126Kb, 6xA4 pages) of the most recent JLAF meeting (JLAF 14) are now available.
12AUG08: ACTION: JLAF Members invited to a joint Bristol City Council Councillor/ JLAF Member training session ( PDF file, 86Kb, 1xA4 page) on the 23rd October 2008 from 5.30pm - 9.00pm in the Council House (buffet tea will be provided).  This session will be particularly useful for members of the JLAF who have recently been appointed.  The course fee and expenses will be paid for JLAF Members who have not already been on such a course.  Please contact the secretary for further details and to book a place.
12AUG08: Deadline: 26th August 2008.  A job is being advertised by Bath & North East Somerset Council for a PROW Mapping Officer.  Further details are on the council's Jobs website.
12AUG08: Defra Access Newsletter Issue 35 - August 2008 ( PDF file, 53Kb, 1xA4 page) This newsletter refers to a Joint parliamentary Committee report (link to external website) issued on 30 July 2008. The committee has been considering the draft Marine Bill during pre legislative scrutiny and the report includes recommendations on the coastal access proposals at Section 10.
12AUG08: Defra sent a letter about the right to apply provisions (PDF file, 71Kb, 4xA4 pages) in the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 to the JLAF as the JLAF had submitted a response to a consultation on this subject a year ago.
12AUG08: Hilary Winter, Secretary of Devon LAF and ex-Regional LAF Secretary helpfully sent this information: "You may recall the SW LAFs responded collectively to the draft RSS in the summer of 2006. The Secretary of State's proposed changes to the Regional Spatial Strategy (link to external website) are now up for consultation until Friday 17th October. The most useful document is probably the Proposed Changes Composite Document as this shows what has been deleted and new additions to the RSS. Although the LAFs commented strongly on the need to incorporate the term rights of way in the RSS this does not appear from a cursory reading to have happened. Nonetheless there are some changes which do reflect the comments made and the sections on tourism and green infrastructure are stronger. There also seems to be a shift towards protecting green infrastructure from recreational pressures. I have put the most interesting changes in this attachment (PDF file, 77Kb, 4xA4 pages) highlighting text amendments. A large number of sections of the original RSS have been removed. I don't anticipate that the Secretary of State will go any further in including specific comments on rights of way if that has not taken place as part of the earlier process. However, individual LAFs may wish to pursue further."
12AUG08: Defra Access Newsletter Issue 34 - July 2008 (PDF file, 59Kb, 1xA4 page)
12AUG08: Bob Harvey who attends the England Access Forum on behalf of South West England LAFs has provided some notes of a South West LAF meeting (PDF file, 62Kb, 2xA4 pages) held in Haldon Forest near Exeter on the 28th July.
12AUG08: Natural England will be undertaking an initial coastal access audit between now and the end of March 2009.  This will involve an initial meeting with Local Authorities in September then further work.  Natural England have provided a briefing on this audit (PDF file, 73Kb, 3xA4 pages).  More detailed surveying and consultation will follow if the Marine Bill is enacted.
12AUG08: Natural England issued a press release (PDF file, 67Kb, 3xA4 pages) on the 17th July 2008: "Natural England has announced the membership of a new Stakeholder Working Group on Unrecorded Rights of Way".  This follows Natural England's Discovering Lost Ways project.
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Last updated: 14/12/2011

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