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.
John Pearson was elected chair and
David Barker vice-chair.
Jenny Antill - Interests: Local Authority,
Conservation, Open Access and Walking. 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.
David Barker - (Vice Chairman) – Landowner (other
interests: local business and conservation). 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.
Angela Brown - Equestrian riding (other
interests: walking and access for all). Angela has a long-standing
involvement in long distance riding and is a member of the Mid
Suffolk Bridleways Association. In her professional capacity she is
very much aware of the health benefits that stem from
walking.
Bryan Collen - Landowner (other interests: tourism
and walking). 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.
Julie Craven - Walking (other interests:
conservation and access for all). Through her past involvement in
local government and other bodies, Julie has a wide breadth of
knowledge of rights of way, countryside management and
conservation, access and tourism issues.
Bryan Freemantle – Building Contractor (other
interests: horse riding) Bryan worked as county access and
bridleways officer for 8 years. He also worked on a large country
estate in Suffolk for 10 years and attended agricultural
college.
Barry Hall – Interests in walking, conservation
and cycling. 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.
Gordon Merfield - Access for all (other interests:
walking and cycling). With a past 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.
Mary Mitson-Woods – Chief Executive, Suffolk
Association of Local Councils. Membership of the SCC Countryside
Access Group which involved encouraging parish and town councils to
value rights of way and the hinterland countryside of their village
as the most valuable recreational facility in the village. Working
knowledge of the CROW Act and its impact on parish councils and
landowners.
John W Pearson – (Chairman) – Retired Principal.
Professional qualifications in horticulture agri-conservation,
environment and business management. As principal he was involved
in all aspects of countryside development. Country member of NFU.
Former education training director of British Landscape Industry
training organisation.
Monica Pipe - Landowner (other interest:
conservation). 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 - Landowner (other interests:
conservation and tourism). 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.
Mark Timms - Walking (other interests:
conservation and cycling). Mark is the Project Officer for the
Upper Waveney Valley Project, is a keen walker and cyclist, He
works with local communities and landowners on a day to day basis
on conservation and access issues.
Keith Turner - Conservation (other interests:
tourism and access for all). Through his past and current work
Keith has broad experience of balancing the needs of conservation
with public access and liasing with other user and interest
groups.
Kirsty Turner - Interested in conservation and the
concerns of landowners and land managers. As a conservation officer
with the RSPB, Kirsty has worked within nature conservation since
2002, striving to ensure that the needs of wildlife and the
environment are integrated appropriately with the provision of new
or increased access opportunities for people.
John Wayman - Landowner (other interests:
tourism and conservation). 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.
Annette Whybrow - Landowner (other interest: local
business). A solicitor who is a former chair of the Suffolk Chamber
of Commerce, Annette is involved with the CLA and attends the
County Council’s Rights of Way Liaison Committee.
Anthony Wright - Cycling (other interests:
tourism and walking). 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:
- Rosemary Clarke was elected to Suffolk County
Council in May 2005. She is the Assistant Portfolio Holder for
Adult and Community Services, co-Chair of the Learning Disability
Partnership Board and a member of Suffolk Police Authority. Rosie
lives within a mile of the coast in the Suffolk Coast and Heaths
AONB.
- 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 Labour opposition spokesman on the environment at both
Ipswich and Suffolk County Council.
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:
David Falk
Countryside Access Development Manager
Countryside Access
Environment & Transport
Suffolk County Council
Endeavour House
8 Russell Road
Ipswich
Suffolk
IP1 2BX