Newport City Council are seeking nominations from members of the public for membership of the Newport City Local Access Forum.
The function of the Forum is to advise the local authorities, Natural Resources Wales and other bodies exercising functions under Part I of the CROW Act, as to the improvement of public access to land in the area for the purposes of open-air recreation and the enjoyment of the area. These bodies must, by law, have regard to relevant advice given by the Forum.
Regulations require the Forum to meet at least twice a year and additional meetings can be arranged as needed.
The forum will be involved in the review of Rights of Way Improvement Plans across Newport City. These plans outline how the Local Authorities will manage and improve the Public Rights of Way (PRoW) networks over the next 10 years. The Forum will work with the Council’s PRoW teams and help advise officers to ensure work carried out benefits all users for healthy exercise and mental well-being, improved management of the network and key strategies and key aims are achieved.
The Forum will consider all forms of access, including horse riding, cycling and off-road driving, and not just access on foot. The exact nature of this work will be decided upon by the LAF itself based on the key strategies and key aims aligned to ROWIPs in agreement with the local authority.
Selection criteria
The following is a list of criteria against which applications will be selected. However, applicants will not necessarily have to comply with all of the criteria to be successful.
It is essential that LAF members…
Be committed to the function of the Forum:
the function of the Forum will be to advise the local authority, Natural Resources Wales and others as to the improvement of public access to land in the area for the purposes of open- air recreation and the enjoyment of the area;
Be willing and able to play a full part in all aspects of a LAFs work. Persons who are only willing or able to represent a narrow specific interest may not be suitable members.
It is desirable that LAF members…
Have a wide range of experience of access issues in the area;
Have experience of working on, and contributing to, similar Forums in the past;
Reside in, be particularly familiar with, or have any other interests especially relevant to, Newport.
Be able to network with a wide range of organizations and individuals, with an aim to disseminating the LAFs work.
Be able to attend meetings of the Forum, which will be held in Newport. Deputies are unable to be permitted
Favourable consideration will be given to those applicants representing youth, mobility and/or sensory needs and/or ethnic groups.
NB: These are unpaid positions but Forum members will be able to claim reasonable expenses.
Applications
If you wish to be considered for membership please complete the application form and return by email to mike.johnson@newport.gov.uk or post to:
Public Rights of Way
Newport City Council
Civic Centre, Godfrey Road
Newport NP20 4UR
