The Hampshire Countryside Access Forum (HCAF) is currently looking for two new members, to represent the interests of off-road cyclists and of people with disabilities. Would you be able to help promote these vacancies among your contacts and through the Winchester Area Access for All website or newsletters, as appropriate?
The following text provides further information about these two volunteer positions:
New members are needed for a group which advises on ways to improve access to Hampshire’s countryside.
The Hampshire Countryside Access Forum (HCAF) needs two new members to represent the interests of off-road cyclists and people with disabilities, to advise organisations including Hampshire County Council and Portsmouth and Southampton City Councils.
HCAF is the statutory Local Access Forum for Hampshire (excluding the New Forest and South Downs) Southampton and Portsmouth, required under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. Its members are people from a cross-section of interests, from landowners, farmers, councillors and rural business owners to walkers, horse riders, cyclists and motor vehicle users. This ensures that the needs of all groups are taken into account when the Forum provides advice on access to the countryside.
- Shaping and influencing: The Forum has recently provided guidance and advice on the review of the Countryside Access Plan (Hampshire’s Rights of Way Improvement Plan).
- Awarding grants: the Forum also makes up the Panel that assesses applications to the Small Grants Scheme (www3.hants.gov.uk/sgs), which since 2006 has provided funding to Parish Councils, community groups and landowners for improvements to rights of way and other access.
- Major projects: the Forum recently completed the Providing Access to Hampshire’s Heritage project (http://www3.hants.gov.uk/countryside/hcaf/pathh.htm) after securing funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund. This project recruited over 100 volunteers to research historical evidence for rights of way which are not yet shown on our legal records but still meet current needs. Some of these routes have now been added to the definitive map of rights of way and other additions are in progress.
Forum members are volunteers but can claim back travel and other related expenses. An employed Forum Officer provides administrative support for the Forum, which meets four times a year. Members are usually appointed for three years, however current membership is due to be renewed in September 2017. These two vacancies are therefore for a 1-year term, at the end of which you may reapply for a period that will bring you into line with other members.
To apply for Forum membership, download an application pack and return by 27 February 2017 to: petronella.nattrass@hants.gov.uk