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