Peak DistrictLOCAL ACCESS FORUMAnnual Report 2013

Peak District LOCAL ACCESS FORUM - Annual Report 2013

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Annual Report 2012

CONTACT DETAILS

If you would like to learn more about the work of the Forum, please contact:

Mike Rhodes

Access and Rights of Way Manager Peak District National Park Authority, Aldern House, Baslow Road, Bakewell, Derbyshire DE45 1AE

T: 01629 816289 E: mike.rhodes@peakdistrict.gov.uk

Gill Millward / Claire O’Reilly

Countryside Access Improvement Officer Derbyshire County Council, Shand House, Dale Road South, Matlock, Derbyshire DE4 3RY

T: 01629 539656 E: gill.millward@derbyshire.gov.uk

Full details of the Forum, its reports, minutes from meetings and information on members, are published on the website www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/laf

Salt Cellar, Derwent

Peak District LOCAL ACCESS FORUMwww.peakdistrict.gov.uk/laf

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CHAIR’S INTRODUCTION

2013 has been another busy and interesting year. The LAF met quarterly throughout the year and provided advice on access matters through several sub groups. The Access Sub Group and Green Lanes Sub Group continue to prioritise and provide advice which is then taken to the full Local Access Forum.

We welcomed the action by the Peak District NPA to sustain essential resources for Access, Rights of Way and Green Lanes management work and thanked Derbyshire CC for their excellent work and actions under their ROWIP. Despite pressures on staff time, sound advice from Peak District NPA, Derbyshire CC staff and LAF volunteers helped us make significant contributions to the National Trust’s High Peak Moors Vision and Management Plan, PDNPA Traffic Order proposals at Chapel Gate and Leys Lane, Derbyshire County Council’s Countryside Service Volunteer Policy and High Peak Borough Council Dog Control Orders.

It is always a pleasure to chair the meetings as the members engage in constructive debate and seek consensus. Obtaining this consensus is important when considering that users of the countryside may all have valid but different interests. If we all continue to respect the rights and responsibilities of others the countryside will continue to provide pleasure and enjoyment for years to come.

Thank you for the tremendous work from the LAF volunteers, officers from Peak District National Park Authority and Derbyshire County Council. The time and dedication is very much appreciated.

Edwina Edwards Chair, Peak District Local Access Forum

CONTENTS

Chair’s Introduction ....................................................................................................................................page 3

Purpose of the Forum ...............................................................................................................................page 4

Membership of the Forum .....................................................................................................................page 4

Meetings and Major Issues for the Forum in 2013 ...................................................................page 5

The Year Ahead ............................................................................................................................................page 10

Financial Statement .....................................................................................................................................page 10

Member Details and Attendance .......................................................................................................page 12

Peak District LOCAL ACCESS FORUM - Annual Report 2013

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Annual Report 2012

PURPOSE OF THE FORUM

The Peak District Local Access Forum (PDLAF) is a statutory body, appointed jointly by the Peak District National Park Authority (PDNPA) and Derbyshire County Council (DCC). It covers the National Park area and the countryside of north-west Derbyshire around Buxton, New Mills and Glossop (refer to back cover for geographical coverage).

This appointment is a requirement of Section 94 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, which states that the purpose of the Forum is:

“To advise the appointing authorities on the improvement of public access for the purpose of open-air recreation and enjoyment of the area.”

In undertaking the above, the Forum has due regard to the needs of land management and of conserving the natural beauty of the area.

• Details of the duties and responsibilities of the Forum are laid out in:

• The Countryside and Rights of Way Act (CRoW) Act 2000

• Local Access Forums (England) Regulations 2007

• Guidance on Local Access Forums in England issued by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

All Forum meetings are open to the public and by prior arrangement members of the public may speak at the meetings. Meetings are advertised on the National Park Authority’s website at www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/lafmeetings

MEMBERSHIP OF THE FORUM

Membership of the Forum is reviewed regularly and appointments are made on renewable three-year terms. Recruitment is made on the basis of ‘expressions of interest’ made to the Authorities in response to adverts in the local press and direct mailing. Interviews of applicants are then held, to ensure that prospective members fulfil the requirements of the position.

The appointing Authorities are required to ensure a reasonable balance is made between the number of members from land owning, recreation and local interests. Details of the current membership are included at the end of this report and on the National Park Authority’s website at www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/laf

Peak District LOCAL ACCESS FORUMwww.peakdistrict.gov.uk/laf

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Peak District LOCAL ACCESS FORUM - Annual Report 2013

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Annual Report 2012

MEETINGS OF THE FORUM IN 2013

During 2013, the formal meetings of the Local Access Forum took place on the following dates:

Thursday 21 March, Aldern House, Bakewell

Thursday 13 June, Moorland Discovery Centre, Longshaw Estate

Thursday 19 September, Aldern House, Bakewell

Thursday 5 December, Aldern House, Bakewell

In June, there was a site visit to view Sheffield Moors Partnership’s proposals for Burbage Valley.

In 2013, the following major issues were discussed:

Cycling

The year started with LAF attendance at a cycling summit to discuss preparations for the cycling festival in September and the Pedal Peak District bid. The partnership bid was successful and work will now be taking place on the key link routes and a funding scheme for cycle hubs. The NPA will also be producing a cycle strategy. A presentation on mountain biking was also provided to the Forum.

Volunteers

There have been presentations by both DCC and the PDNPA about their work with volunteers and how this will be taken forward in the future. Forum members also contributed to DCC’s Countryside Service Volunteer Policy which has been developed during the year.

Ballidon

Kinder Loop

Peak District LOCAL ACCESS FORUMwww.peakdistrict.gov.uk/laf

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Recreational Motor Vehicles

The Forum was updated on the resources and action plans for managing motor vehicles on green lanes and off-road and responded to several consultations on potential traffic regulation orders on routes in the National Park. The Green Lanes sub-group met in January, February, April, June and November. LAF representatives spoke at NPA committee meetings and attended meetings of the Green Lanes Forum.

DCC Rights of Way Improvement Plan

The LAF had regular updates on progress in delivering Derbyshire’s Rights of Way Improvement Plan and the proposed work programme for 2013/14. The Statement of Action through to 2017 was also published in 2013 following a public consultation and the input of the joint Derby and Derbyshire and Peak District LAF Sub-group.

Open Access

The LAF received updates from the Access Sub group which met in May and November to discuss desired access improvements, implications and opportunities from agricultural policy reform, and the dedication of National Nature Reserves.

Properties and Trails

An update was provided to the Forum on the Authority’s management of its properties. This included details of the future for North Lees which the Forum had made representations on. The Forum’s involvement in the ongoing management and interpretation of the trails was also noted.

Duke of Edinburgh Award

A presentation was given to the Forum on the operation of Duke of Edinburgh expeditions in the Peak District. Members heard about the numbers taking part, training and liaison arrangements and future opportunities.

Peak District LOCAL ACCESS FORUM - Annual Report 2013

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Annual Report 2012

Formal Consultations

In 2013, the Forum responded to the following consultations:

National Trust’s High Peak Moors Vision and Management Plan

PDNPA Traffic Regulation Orders proposals at Chapel Gate and Leys Lane

DCC’s Countryside Service Volunteer Policy

High Peak Borough Council Dog Control Orders

Training/Liaison

In 2013, Forum members attended:

The Local Access Forum National Conference

Peak District LOCAL ACCESS FORUMwww.peakdistrict.gov.uk/laf

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THE YEAR AHEAD

Some of the likely priorities for the work of the Forum in 2014 are outlined below.

• Exploring the links between countryside access and health

• Cycling strategy work and opportunities for the Peak District

• Working towards the 10th anniversary of the introduction of open access land

• Advice in relation to the future management of NPA properties and trails

• Management of events in the National Park

• On-going work on managing recreational motor vehicles in the countryside

• Monitoring progress on Rights of Way Improvement Plans delivery

• Working with neighbouring Local Access Forums, Access and Highway Authorities

• Training opportunities in conjunction with Natural England and others

• Promote the Local Access Forum among a wider audience

• Increase the use of Huddle to exchange information with other LAFs

DATES OF MEETINGS 2014

Thursday 13 March - Aldern House, Bakewell

Thursday 19 June – Aldern House, Bakewell

Thursday 11 September – Moorland Discovery Centre, Longshaw Estate

Thursday 4 December – Aldern House, Bakewell

FINANCIAL STATEMENT

Members’ Travel £466.70

Room hire, refreshments & lunches £105.47

Annual Report £147.00

TOTAL £719.17

The Peak District National Park Authority administers and provides secretariat for the Forum with financial support from Derbyshire County Council.

LOCAL ACCESS FORUM MEMBERS

Above: Back row Left to Right – Richard Entwistle, Henry Folkard, Adge Last, Jon Stewart, John Thomson, Jon Clennell, Terry Howard, Sue Weatherley, Caroline Hanson Front row Left to Right – Charlotte Gilbert, Edwina Edwards, Mike Johnson, Claire Griffin

Peak District LOCAL ACCESS FORUMwww.peakdistrict.gov.uk/laf

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KIRKLEES MBC

BARNSLEY MBC

SHEFFIELD CC

NE DERBYS. DC

DERBYSHIREDALES DC

STAFFORDSHIREMOORLANDS DC

MACCLESFIELD BC

HIGH PEAK BC

OLDHAM MBC

Local Access Forum Area

National Park Boundary

Council Boundary

MACCLESFIELD

GLOSSOP

BUXTON

LEEKMATLOCK

BAKEWELL

CHESTERFIELD

SHEFFIELD

MANCHESTER

BARNSLEY

Tideswell

Longnor

Warslow

Hartington

Baslow

HathersageCastleton

EdaleHayfield

Upper Derwent

Langsett

Holmfirth

Ashbourne

Access Land

Geographical Coverage of the Peak District Local Access Forum

www.peakdistrict.gov.uk

Aldern House, Baslow Road, Bakewell, Derbyshire DE45 1AE T: 01629 816200 E: customer.service@peakdistrict.gov.uk

www.derbyshire.gov.uk

Derbyshire County Council, County Hall, Matlock, Derbyshire DE4 3AG T: 0845 605 8058 E: contact.centre@derbyshire.gov.uk

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