Wiltshire and Swindon Countryside Access Forum

Terms of Reference

Status

Wiltshire and Swindon Countryside Access Forum is required under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. The appointing authorities are Wiltshire Council and Swindon Borough Council. The Forum is an independent advisory body which provides guidance on ways to improve public access, open air recreation and use of the public rights of way network.

Function

· To provide advice to section 94(4) bodies listed below on the improvement of public access to land in Wiltshire for the purposes of open-air recreation and the enjoyment of the area, and as to such other matters as may be prescribed.

· Advise and assist with the implementation of the Wiltshire and Swindon Rights of Way Improvement Action Plans.

· To encourage mutual understanding between owners/occupiers, representatives of user groups and interested organisations.

· To advise on functional access issues in relation to the economic benefits, tourism or sustainable transport.

· To provide independent, informed, constructive and inclusive advice focusing on the most relevant issues in Wiltshire on a strategic level.

· To promote and educate on the appropriate use and enjoyment of the countryside and rights of way network by all, whilst having regard for the needs of land management and the conservation and enhancement of the natural beauty of Wiltshire.

· Endeavour to establish and sustain links with neighbouring Forums to ensure that issues of common concern or about adjacent parcels of land or rights of way are considered in a consistent way.

Section 94(A) Bodies

· The appointing authorities, Wiltshire Council and Swindon Borough Council.

· The Secretary of State

· Defra

· Natural England

· Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Conservation Boards, Cranborne Chase & West Wessex Downs AONB and North Wessex Downs AONB

· The Forestry Commission

· English Heritage

· Sport England (the English Sports Council)

· Parish and Town Councils

· Any other body as seen appropriate

Membership

· Members will be appointed by Wiltshire Council and Swindon Borough Council for a minimum of 1 year and maximum of 3 years with the option of renewal on expiry in each case.

· There will be a reasonable balance between the number of members who are representative of users and the number who are representative of owners or occupiers. Only one place may be occupied by an elected member of Wiltshire Council and only one place by an elected member of Swindon Borough Council.

· Forum members will represent an area of interest/s rather than the views of any specific organisation they belong to.

· Forum members who are directly or indirectly interested in any matter brought up for consideration by the Forum are to disclose the nature of that interest to the meeting. The Forum member with a direct/indirect interest can participate in the discussion but the secretariat must record all declared interests in the minutes of the meeting.

Chair and Vice Chair

· The Chair and Vice Chair will be drawn from the Forum members and elected annually.

· In the event of an equality of votes the Chair will have a casting vote.

· In the event the Chair is not available for the meeting the Vice Chair shall chair the meeting. In the absence of both the Chair and the Vice Chair those present shall appoint one of them to act as Chair for the meeting.

Meetings

· Meetings will be held at least quarterly.

· A third of the recorded membership will constitute a Quorum.

· Specific sub/working groups will be established by the Forum as and when required. Updates are to be reported back at the following Forum meeting.

· The Forum to produce and distribute an annual report.

· Members attending Forum meetings or meetings on behalf of the Forum are entitled to claim travel expenses, and any expenses in arranging for the care of their children or dependants, in accordance with Regulation 12.

Public Access to Meetings

· All meetings are open to the public.

· The Forum, or its Chair, may invite Advisers or expert witnesses to attend part or all of a meeting and be invited to participate but not to vote.

· Observers may attend and take part in the discussions at the discretion of the Chair but cannot vote or take part in decision making.

· Representations from the public must be submitted in writing to the Secretariat 2 weeks prior to the meeting. Representations will be at the discretion of the Chair.

· Agendas, minutes and reports relating to the Forum will be available to the public at the offices of Wiltshire Council, Swindon Borough Council and on the Wiltshire and Swindon Countryside Access Forum website.

Members’ Responsibilities

· Share experience, knowledge, skills and opinions.

· Provide an independent view rather than the delegated views of any particular organisation/s.

· Value the contribution of other Forum members, respecting minority views, engaging in constructive debate and seeking consensus where possible.

· Actively pursue opportunities to publicise the work of the Forum.

· Members who are absent from all meetings in a one year period may have their appointment to the Forum terminated by the appointing authorities.

Wiltshire Council and Swindon Borough Council Responsibilities

· Have regard to the Forum’s advice when making their decisions.

· Relay the advice given by the forum to the relevant body.

· Promote the work of the Forum including press releases and web pages.

· Wiltshire Council to provide a secretariat.

· Provide a venue and refreshments of Forum meetings.

· Reimburse Forum members travel and child care expenses.

Review

This document is to be reviewed as and when required.