Suffolk Local Access Forum membership

Under the Countryside & Rights of Way Act 2000, Suffolk County Council as Highway Authority has established a Local Access Forum.

Members of the forum represent those involved in access to the countryside, including landowners, users and conservation interests.

Jenny Antill - A retired investment banker, Jenny is now Member of Babergh District Council for Waldingfield, a largely rural ward that abuts the edge of Sudbury. Closely involved with local conservation group, Jenny is keen to protect the vulnerable green edges of the town, while encouraging the citizens of Sudbury to get out into the countryside.

Melinda Appleby – Since childhood Melinda has had an interest in wildlife and conservation. With a degree in Rural Environmental Studies, Melinda has pursued these interests in her career with the Countryside Movement, the RSPB, NFU, and at Suffolk County Council.

David Barker (Vice Chairman) – With his wide experience within the NFU, CLA and as a former Countryside Agency commissioner, David seeks to work to balance all interests involved in access to the countryside.

Bryan Collen (Chairman) – Brian has been involved in many organisations, including the NFU, Anglian Water, Internal Drainage Boards and the County Council’s Rights of Way Liaison Committee, so he is able to appreciate other people’s views.

Barry Hall – Barry is a retired local government officer with experience of working on countryside and rights of way projects. Since his retirement Barry has retained an interest in the provision and promotion of access to the countryside, and is a member of RSPB, Suffolk Wildlife Trust and National Trust.

Margaret Hancock – Margaret is a Blue Badge Tourist Guide and is interested in promoting the benefits of Suffolk to visitors and locals alike. Also a keen cyclist, Margaret is passionate about promoting sustainable tourism by encouraging walking, cycling and the use of public transport. Margaret is a volunteer for the Out and About charity, providing support for children and young people with disabilities, enabling them to access leisure facilities and to travel by public transport.

Ann Langley – Ann is involved with the Pony Club, the Easton Harriers Hunt, and is a founder member of the Mid Suffolk Bridleways Association which works to maintain and open bridleways. Ann is also Councillor on Ashfield cum Thorpe Parish Council.

Gordon Merfield - With a background in agriculture, since the 1980's Gordon has been active in participating and coaching in field sports events as well as being interested in the wider countryside and walking in foreign countries.

Alan Moore – Alan is a retired Head of Regional Planning and Transport for the East of England Regional Assembly, and is now a volunteer with the Stroke Association and West Suffolk Headway. With a particular focus on access for disabled people, Alan is interested in the issue of local access and the need to ensure that it is properly and effectively provided for in both urban and rural areas.

Mary Norden – Mary works for the RSPB, is a member of Suffolk Bat Group, a bat worker for Natural England and supports the Bat Conservation Trust’s National monitoring programmes. Mary is also a keen walker and cyclist.

Monica Pipe – Monica farms just north of Ipswich and has many well-used footpaths on her land including the promoted Fynn Valley Walk.

Norman Southgate - Motorised vehicle use (other interests: water based activities and walking). As rights of way officer for the Suffolk Landrover Owners Club Norman keeps members aware of where they can legally go off-road. He is also a keen sailor and a member of the Copdock & Washbrook footpath maintenance working group.

Mike Taylor – With his Forestry Commission background, Mike will bring the experience of managing large tracts of land as a business whilst ensuring that conservation and public access are fully taken into account at the Forum.

John Wayman – A former district council member farming in the Stour Valley, John feels that he now would like to contribute to a the wider rural picture.

Anthony Wright – A long-term cyclist and walker, Anthony has worked with several local authorities on the production of cycling and walking publications and works part time with the sustainable transport charity Sustrans.


In addition there are local authority members:

Councillor Sandy Martin – Ipswich Borough Council and SCC Councillor. Sandy Martin lived in Halesworth from 1971 to 1993, and has lived in Ipswich since then. He is a keen walker and cyclist. He was elected to Suffolk County Council in 1997 and to Ipswich Borough Council in 2002, and is currently a Councillor on both Authorities. He acted as deputy to the County Portfolio Holder for Environment & Transport from 2001 to 2005, and is now opposition spokesman for environment at Ipswich Borough council and Leader of Suffolk County Council Labour Group

Councillor Jane Storey – SCC Councillor for Thedwastre North, has interests around walking, dog-walking, off-road driving and being a farmers daughter with some strong views along the lines that with rights come responsibilities. Jayne believes that we should preserve our Rights of Way, including BOATS and Bridleways, but not at the expense of common sense. These are an important part of presenting Suffolk as the Greenest County - useful for getting from A to B but also for getting people who do not normally exercise out and about at little or no expense.

The role of the Suffolk Local Access Forum is to provide strategic advice "on the improvement of public access to land in their area for the purposes of open-air recreation and the enjoyment of the area, and to such other matters as may be proscribed."

The forum meets at least four times a year and information about its meetings (which are open to the public) is made available on this site.

If you have any queries please contact the Suffolk Local Access Forum by email at http://slaf@suffolk.gov.uk

or by post to:
 
David Falk
Countryside Access Development Manager
Countryside Access
Economy, Skills and Environment
Suffolk County Council
Endeavour House
8 Russell Road
Ipswich
Suffolk
IP1 2BX