Local Countryside Access Forum terms of reference

Published: 18 March 2026

A review by the Local Countryside Access Forum (LCAF) and Bracknell Forest Council (the appointing authority) in 2025 identified the need to update LCAF’s terms of reference.

This is required to better reflect the current workings of the forum.

The updates, which were approved in February 2026, factor in changes, such as:

  • meeting frequency
  • recruitment process
  • general administration

LCAF will continue to operate in line with the Local Access Forums (England) Regulations 2007 (“2007 Regulations”).

1. Constitution

Section 94 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 requires local highway authorities to establish Local Access Forums to advise authorities about improvement of public access to land in their area for open-air recreation.

While these Terms of Reference do not repeat the provisions of the 2007 Regulations in detail, the Bracknell Forest Local Countryside Access Forum shall operate in line with the Local Access Forums (England) Regulations 2007, which set out procedural rules for the establishment and the administration of the forum.

These Terms of Reference will be updated in line with any changes to the governing legislation.

2. Membership

2.1 Bracknell Forest Borough Council (therein known as ‘the council’), in their role as the appointing authority, advertises vacancies to the Local Countryside Access Forum (therein known as ‘the Forum’). This includes:

(i) in such local or regional newspapers circulating in the authority’s area as they consider appropriate; and

(ii) if they maintain a website on the internet, on such a website

The council will also promote membership to the forum through other communications channels, such as social media and e-newsletters, where appropriate.

2.2 The membership of the forum shall be appointed so that they shall represent local people within the following groups:

  • users of local rights of way or open access land (for example, walkers, disabled people, dog owners, horse riders, cyclists, carriage drivers, trail riders and other recreational vehicle users)
  • owners, occupiers or land managers of land crossed by public rights of way or owners and occupiers of open access land within the borough
  • 2 councillors (at most) from the council if the group is comprised of between 10 and 16 members, or 3 councillors (at most) if the group is comprised of between 17 and 22 persons
  • other interests especially relevant to the borough, such as parish council, conservation volunteers and nature conservation

2.3 Individuals who are existing members of an interest group must act in a non-partisan manner by representing the interest of that group in the broadest sense, for example, the ramblers representing walking issues and walkers as their priority.

2.4 Anyone is welcome to apply to become a member of the forum. Preference will be given to applicants who live or work in the borough, especially those with experience and knowledge of rights of way and access matters.

2.5 Preference will also be given to applicants who are not members of other local access forums.

2.6 Membership appointment lasts for not less than 1 and not more than 3 years. This is subject to prior termination or resignation in line with the procedure prescribed in the 2007 Regulations.

Upon expiry of their term, a member may be formally reappointed at a meeting. This allows continuity of expertise while remaining compliant with the 2007 Regulations.

Reappointments must be made by the council, as the appointing authority, in consultation with the forum. All reappointments will be formally recorded in the minutes of the meeting at which they are agreed.

3. Terms of reference

3.1 To represent and be available to local people so that a wide range of local issues can be expressed.

3.2 To offer advice to the council about improving public access to land within the borough for the purpose of open-air recreation and enjoyment for all.

3.3 To provide advice to the council on all matters relating to Public Rights of Way in the borough. For example, actions that can be taken to improve access to all and offering potential solutions for where a right of way is likely to be affected by a 15 future development proposal.

3.4 To assist the council with the development and implementation of a ‘Rights of Way Improvement Plan’ for the borough. This includes action around developing new routes and links and championing access for all.

3.5 To provide input to, and comment on, other strategies and plans being developed by the council, which have a direct connection to the forum’s work. Examples include the Local Transport Plan, Local Plan and Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan.

3.6 To comment on the preparation of maps of 'open access' land in the borough and future management of any such land.

3.7 To comment on national or local consultation documents relating to public rights of way or access to open countryside.

3.8 To liaise with neighbouring Local Access Forums on matters of shared interest, and with other groups or agencies with an interest in the borough's countryside.

4. Procedures - applications

4.1 Applications to join the forum can be made to the council (Bracknell Forest Council is the appointing authority) using the Local Countryside Access Forum application form (PDF, 0.81MB) form. Accessible formats, such as large print, can be made available upon request.

4.2 Interested parties are welcome to contact the council’s rights of way team to arrange an informal discussion about the forum.

This can be done by contacting the Rights of Way team using:

Meetings need to be arranged in advance and can be conducted by telephone call or a video chat.

4.3 The council will:

acknowledge the application, aiming to do so within 5 working days

  • assess the application, and the applicant’s suitability to assume a membership role (this may require some further liaising with the applicant)
  • consult the Forum Chair (or Vice Chair where the Chair is unavailable) on the application, including the council’s intention to accept or reject it
  • inform the applicant of the outcome and facilitate to those accepted onto the forum the offer of an online meeting of introductions with the council and the Chair

4.4 The forum members and supporting officers from the council will aim to welcome new members at the forum’s next scheduled meeting.

5. Proceedings

5.1 In accordance with 6(3) of the 2007 Regulations, the forum must appoint a Chair and Vice-Chair by election from among its members. There is no prescribed election method in the Regulations, and it is the forum which may set its own procedure under Regulation 6(1).

5.2 If either role of Chair or Vice Chair becomes vacant, the Forum Secretary will invite expressions of interest from members. An election will then be held at a future forum meeting, with voting restricted to forum members.

5.3 Each potential candidate for Chair or Vice Chair will need to be nominated and seconded, with a vote then taken. This can be done by a show of hands, verbally or by other means agreed with the Chair prior to the meeting. Members may nominate themselves or another member (with that member’s consent). A deadline may be set for advance nominations, though nominations may also be accepted at the meeting by agreement with the Chair. The candidate receiving the majority of votes will be elected to that role.

5.4 Where there is only one candidate for a vacant position of Chair or Vice Chair, a vote will still be required. If the majority of members vote in favour, the candidate is duly appointed. If the majority does not vote in favour, the appointment cannot proceed. The Forum can either choose to reopen nominations immediately or defer the appointment to the next meeting.

5.5 The Vice Chair may preside (Reg. 12(2)) where consensus cannot be reached about the appointment of the Forum Chair.

5.6 The term of office will be agreed by the forum but cannot exceed the member’s remaining appointment period. The Forum Chair or Vice Chair may be re-appointed following the completion of their term. They would need to formally step down from their role and be re-elected (as set out in points 5.2, 5.3 and 5.4) to begin a new 3-year term in office.

5.7 Where practicable, the Forum Chair and Vice-Chair should represent different interest categories.

5.8 Under 2007 Regulation 6(1), a Local Access Forum is responsible for setting its own meeting procedures, including what constitutes a quorum. A Forum meeting shall be quorate when at least one‑quarter of appointed members, and in any case no fewer than 5 members, are present.

5.9 If a forum meeting is ever inquorate, it may be cancelled. This will be for the forum to determine in consultation with the council. The decision would be based on if there is benefit for the meeting to still proceed. For example, where there is an important or time-sensitive matter requiring discussion.

5.10 In accordance with 6(2) of the 2007 Regulations, a local access forum must hold at least 2 meetings every year. The forum meets 3 times a year, with extra meetings or site visits arranged by the agreement of the forum.

5.11 The council will host meetings, and to enhance flexibility, will endeavour to provide hybrid facilities whenever possible. This involves participants joining either physically at a meeting location or remotely by video conferencing.

5.12 The council will provide the secretarial support for meetings, including recording and distributing the minutes. The forum’s minutes shall be open to inspection by 17 the public, and as such are available on the council’s website.

5.13 The forum meetings shall be open to the public, subject to powers of exclusion to suppress or prevent disorderly conduct or other misbehaviour. Individual members of the public will have an opportunity to ask questions to Members of the forum in a 10 minute ‘question time’ at the end of each meeting.

5.14 The forum meetings are recorded for the sole purpose of accurately recording the meeting minutes. Once the minutes are prepared and published, the digital recordings are deleted.

5.15 Copies of agendas and reports for the forum meetings shall be open to inspection by the public at least 3 clear days before the meeting, except that where the meeting is convened at shorter notice, the copies of the agenda and reports shall be open to inspection from the time the meeting is convened.

5.16 The forum may consider urgent items at meetings without prior notice, at the Chair’s discretion, but only by reason of special circumstances, which shall be specified in the minutes of the meeting.

6. Amendments

The council may amend the Terms of Reference if required, provided they consult and agree with the forum on any proposed changes. Amendments must comply with the Local Access Forums (England) Regulations 2007, or any subsequent replacement regulations, where appropriate.

More information

Overview of LCAF and the legislation surrounding them:

Information about LCAF:

Bracknell Forest Council information: