Public Access Strategy - Implementation Framework - North Lanarkshire Public Access Forum

It is recommended that a local access forum is established for the area of North Lanarkshire.  A local access forum can play a crucial role in opening dialogue between key stakeholders, and in developing a consensus based approach to access provision.  The National Access Forum has proposed that local authorities should establish at least one access forum in their area, and that its membership should be equally balanced between land managers, users and public body representatives.

The Planning Workshop illustrated the potential benefits bringing together local stakeholders to debate the benefits and problems of access provision and management.  Building on this, and established partnership working at the area wide level, the forum should include representatives of the following stakeholder groups:

• North Lanarkshire Council
• Paths for All Partnership
• Scottish Natural Heritage
• Scottish Wildlife Trust
• Area Tourist Board
• West of Scotland Water Authority
• Sportscotland
• Forest Enterprise
• Lanarkshire Health Board
• Lanarkshire Association for Mental Health-Recycle
• North Lanarkshire Access Panel
• Central Scotland Countryside Trust
• Scottish Enterprise Lanarkshire
• North Lanarkshire Forward
• British Horse Society
• Ramblers Assocation (Scotland)
• Scottish Rights of Way and Access Society
• Cyclists Touring Club Scotland
• National Farmers Union
• Scottish Landowners Federation
• Scottish Agricultural College (Area Officer) and / or FWAG
• Lanarkshire Environmental Education Forum
• Kelvin Valley Countryside Project
• Community and Voluntary Organisations Council
• Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
• Clyde Valley Woodlands Initiative
• Local Access Group Representatives (one from each)

North Lanarkshire's local access forum should focus on the strategic level of access provision across North Lanarkshire as a whole.  Acting on an advisory basis, members should be committed to the following key areas of responsibility:

• reviewing the implications of the new legislation on access as it progresses.  This should include the provision of an area based response to the national consultation on the legislation which is anticipated to begin in early 2001;
• overseeing the implementation of the Access Strategy;
• advising on the identification of core path networks;
• advising on wider policy frameworks relating to access provision;
• assisting on disputes and other specific problems as they emerge. This would be undertaken on the basis of an overall commitment to developing a consensual approach to access management and development;
• developing advice for local users and land managers on their responsibilities and obligations;
• promoting responsible behaviour by the public, land managers and public bodies, partly through interpreting the forthcoming Scottish Outdoor Access Code;
• acting as a consultee on the local authority's use of powers for path diversion, closure, and for the creation of management rules and bylaws (i.e. helping to develop standard access agreements etc.);
• delivering on the access strategy by identifying specific local priorities for resourcing and management.

As convenor of the forum, North Lanarkshire Council will play an important role in defining practical aspects such as an appropriate meeting place, frequency of meetings, information needs of members, and arrangements for administrative support.  However, NLC's control of proceedings should not extend to the actual decision making of the forum, representatives instead acting as facilitators, and providing expertise on access issues where appropriate.

The forum should formalise its activities through taking the following steps: