Issue - meetings

Letters had been received in February from the England Access Forum (EAF) outlining problems with support and funding from Natural England for the EAF. At an EAF meeting on 8 March 2010 it was decided that the existing relationship with Natural England could not continue. Funding for the future was an issue and letters had been sent to the Minister Huw Irranca-Davies, Labour MP and Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Marine and Natural Environment), Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, requesting help.

Duncan Graham CBE would be writing to LAF Chairmen setting out conclusions and suggestions, including the possibility of putting the EAF on a statutory basis and the government providing funding, such as from DEFRA, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Detailed letters could be e-mailed to Forum members on request.

Each authority needed to be involved in an Access Forum, and there were national, country and regional forums. It was queried whether the establishment of Access Forums originated from the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 and this would be investigated.

(Action: Graham Pockett)