Issue - meetings

LAF views had been sought from Duncan Graham, Chairman of the England Access Forum, and Rob Cooke, Director of Environment Advice and Analysis, on Natural England and the England Access Forum’s future working arrangements. Feedback had been requested by 30 September 2010.

Forum members queried whether Natural England should have a statutory remit to consult with Government and non-governmental bodies. Natural England’s government funding originated from DEFRA which was currently in the process of revising its status after the new coalition government was elected. LAF’s would likely not be directly affected by this.

Feedback would be gathered at a national and regional level. Forum members queried whether government funding was essential to the running of the England Access Forum (EAF).

Forum members decided that the two points they would like to feedback on were logical structure from local through regional to national representation and secure funding. Draft wording for the feedback would be circulated to Forum Members for agreement and then forwarded to Natural England by 30 September 2010.

(Action: Graham Pockett)