The Leicestershire Local Access forum is one of over 80 local access forums covering almost all of England. These are statutory advisory bodies established under section 94 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.

Leicestershire County Council is the appointing authority and supports the forum carry out its duties.

Its primary role is to advise as to the improvement of public access to land within the county, for open air recreation and the enjoyment of the area. In doing this the forum considers the needs of land management and conservation.

The Forum is a statutory consultee on any byelaws made by the County Council in respect of access land, any proposals by the Council to appoint wardens for access land, and on the recently published Rights of way improvement plan for the county. The Forum is also consulted by English Nature on maps of open country and registered common land.

Local access forums have a wide remit in advising access authorities (local highway authorities and National Park authorities) and other bodies (such as Government departments, Natural England, the Forestry Commission, English Heritage, Sport England, AONB Conservation Boards, district councils, town and parish councils) on managing the public's right of access to open country and registered common land, management and improvement of public rights of way, as well as public access issues more generally within the local area

The bodies to which it is the legal function of forums to give advice are collectively known as "section 94(4) bodies". Section 94(4) bodies are legally required to have regard to relevant advice from a forum.

The Local Access Forums (England) Regulations 2007 (SI 2007 No 268) set out detailed provisions on the operation of forums and replace the earlier regulations made in 2002.

A copy of the regulations can be obtained here www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2007/uksi_20070268_en.pdf

The Leicestershire forum meets about 6 times a year. Members of the public are entitled to attend meetings and may be permitted to speak.

Forum members are appointed by the appointing authority (the local highway authority or a National Park authority) to represent the interests of people who use the right of access to open country and registered common land, and public rights of way, as well as owners/occupiers of land affected. Members can also be appointed to represent other interests relevant to the area such tourism, sport or nature conservation.

Members serve in a personal capacity to represent interests rather than particular organisations. The appointing authority must ensure there is a reasonable balance between user and landowners/occupier interests.

If you want to contribute or apply to join the the new forum, you can find out how to join here.

Members are unpaid although may be reimbursed for travel and subsistence costs, or for expenses incurred in the care of children or dependents.

In 2007 the Secretary of State issued revised Guidance on local access forums. This replaced guidance issued in 2002 and is intended to guide the work of forum members.

The guidance may be obtained www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/cl/laf-guidance.pdf