Agenda item

Josh Mynott, Democratic Services Manager, explained that it was a legal requirement for highways authorities to establish and support a LAF. In Lancashire, the three highways authorities (LCC, Blackburn with Darwen Council and Blackpool Council had agreed to establish a joint LAF for Lancashire.

The statutory role of the LLAF was to advise relevant organisations as to the improvement of public access to lands in the area for the purpose of open-air recreation and the enjoyment of the area, and as such other matters as may be prescribed. Organisations so advised are required to have regard to any relevant advice given by the LLAF.

The PROWAF had no statutory basis, meaning that there was no legal requirement for an area to have a PROW type committee.

Local authorities and other public sector bodies continued to experience major reductions in available resources. Councils were making significant service reductions, and focusing expenditure on statutory services and where maximum value could be obtained. The LLAF, as a statutory requirement, was not at risk. However, it was clear that the LLAF was operating in a changed environment, which represented both a challenge and an opportunity.

It was felt that this was a good time to consider where the Forum was at and what the future held. Areas to look at were:

·  Public Suppliance

·  Joint Working, i.e. Combined Authority

·  Partnership Working with the LEP and Marketing Lancashire.

Ways had to be found to make the LLAF work well and have the best impact, especially on policy decision making. It was difficult to see a role for both the LLAF and the PROWAF. Both had items that overlapped.

One way for the LLAF to go was to engage in Health and Wellbeing issues. At the Regulatory Committee meetings there could be an item on the agenda from the LLAF.

The Terms of Reference stated that the LLAF could have no more than 3 County Councillors. It was noted that some County Councillors on the LLAF never attended the Forums. The County Councillors on the PROWAF had better attendance records. There must be better County Councillor representation on the LLAF. If Forum Members felt the agenda for the LLAF meetings had value then they would most likely attend. The Forum had to be worthwhile to attend.

The LLAF would welcome working in partnership with Marketing Lancashire.

LCC was told by law to have a LLAF. The original purpose of the LLAF was to have an overall view of access. The Government had given some funding for the LLAF when it was set up. This funding was for the servicing of the LLAF.

It was put forward that both Forums become one and that existing members of the PROWAF suggest members from their Forum to sit on the LLAF. It was noted that there were no representatives from the British Horse Society (BHS) on the LLAF so maybe one of the BHS members from the PROWAF could join the LLAF.

It was up to LCC to have both the LLAF and PROWAF meetings, or just have the LLAF with a few members from the PROWAF joining it. LCC would review the Terms of Reference and Membership of both Forums and come to a solution.