Mission Statement:
The Cambridgeshire Local Access Forum will provide advice to help ensure significant and measurable improvements in responsible recreational access to the countryside.

Terms of Reference:
The Cambridgeshire Local Access Forum has a wide role in advising upon strategic access and recreation issues in Cambridgeshire and acts as a statutory advisor to the County Council as local highway authority. This involves:

1. Being consulted on: 

• the draft maps of open countryside and registered common land for Cambridgeshire 
• any byelaws to be made by the access authority affecting access land 
• the appointment of access wardens on land where the right of access applies 
• directions proposed by "relevant authorities" which would restrict or exclude long-term access from access land 
• the preparation of rights of way improvement plans by the County Council, including any opportunities for access to open countryside especially where new linear routes may be desirable and assisting in setting priorities for implementation

2. Providing advice on for example: 

• strategies or plans incorporating recreation and access which set rights of way and open access in a broad context 
• the extent to which fair provision is made for all current and potential users and reflects the needs of local people and businesses 
• the co-ordinated use of resources to provide and manage integrated recreation and access 
• the dissemination of information to interested groups and the wider public

In providing advice the Local Access Forum has regard to: 

• the needs of land management
• the desirability of conserving the natural beauty of the area 
• the management and maintenance of access whilst balancing this against the needs of biodiversity, wildlife management, the interests of land owners and managers, and countryside management projects in Cambridgeshire.

CAMBRIDGESHIRE LOCAL ACCESS FORUM (Cambridgeshire LAF) Draft 1 - 20 November

Procedural matters:
Due regard is given at all times to the Statutory Instrument 2002 1836 (Local Access Forums (England) Regulations), in particular ‘Proceedings of a Local Access Forum Section 6’(appended 1)

1. The quorum for any meeting is any eight members. 

2. Declarations of interests will be an agenda item at the start of each meeting to enable any member who has an interest (either personal or pecuniary) to declare it. 

3. All papers for meetings will be sent to members at least five days in advance and should be supported by a clear recommendation wherever possible. 

4. Members who are not able to be present may send a note to the Secretary, which will be read out at the appropriate time. 

5. A consensus should be reached whenever possible but opposing views will be recorded.

6. A vote may be taken on any occasion when the meeting is obviously split but the Chairman will not have a casting vote as it is acknowledged that all views are important. 

7. Members will identify their own training needs.

N.B.   It is acknowledged that procedures and Terms of Reference will evolve as time passes, the Local Access Forum develops its role and in response to any legislation/guidance advice from outside bodies and organisations.

These Terms of Reference will be reviewed at least annually and may also be changed by resolution of the Cambridgeshire LAF following public notice of such intention on the agenda.