Countryside Access & Local Access Forum
Rhondda Cynon Taf's beautiful countryside and open spaces cover an impressive 80 per cent of the county borough.
Residents and visitors alike can enjoy the amazing and diverse scenery and views, from the rugged, dramatic landscapes left from mining in the Rhondda to the green, rolling hills of Taf Ely and the moors-like atmosphere of the mountain tops and Cynon Valley.
Local Access Forum
The Council has gone through the process of re-establishing a statutory Local Access Forum (LAF), as required by Part I of the Countryside & Rights of Way Act 2000 (CROW Act 2000).
The sixth term of the statutory Forum started March 2023.
The function of the Forum is to advise the Council, Natural Resources Wales and other bodies about making improvements to public access for outdoor recreation and sustainable travel in the Council’s area. These bodies must, by law, have regard to relevant advice given by the Forum.
Members of the Forum are appointed in their own right, not as representatives of any organisation or user group. In appointing members to the Forum, the Council is required to ensure it includes users of local access land and local rights of way owners, and occupiers of access land and land with rights of way.
Regulations require the Forum to meet at least twice a year. However, it is anticipated that meetings will generally take place more frequently at a time and place agreed by the Forum members.
Areas of Work
The Forum considers a wide range of issues and advises on improvements to public access for open air recreation and enjoyment in the Council’s area, including Public Rights of Way, and the right of access to open country and registered common land. The Forum will consider all forms of access, horse riding, cycling and off-road driving, and not just access on foot. The exact nature of this work is decided upon by the LAF itself, in agreement with the Council.
The Forum also assists with the implementation of Rhondda Cynon Taf''s Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP).
Annual Reports
Apply to join
There are currently no membership vacancies.