Local Access Forum

The Mid and West Berkshire Local Access Forum (LAF) is a statutory body, set up under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. It advises West Berkshire Council (as well as Reading and Wokingham Borough councils) on matters that affect access to the countryside for public recreation and enjoyment. It also advises the councils on the implementation of their Rights of Way Improvement Plans (ROWIP).

The LAF is an independent group that tries to strike a balance between representatives of people that use the countryside (eg: walkers, cyclists, equestrians, vehicle-users), the owners of the land, and other people and organisations with relevant interests.

Discussions are wide-ranging. To ensure that specific topics are considered, LAF members contribute to four additional different "working groups". These focus on:

• education and communications
• access for disabled people
• development of new access and maintenance of existing rights of way
• the West Berkshire Rights of Way Improvement Plan (or the equivalent for Reading or Wokingham Borough councils)
   

Volunteering as a Local Access Forum member

Our voluntary roles include advising on the management of the public rights of way network, commons, parks and green spaces. The Forum is made up of representatives from a cross-section of interests, from walkers, cyclists, horse-riders, to rural business owners, farmers and landowners. 

You can apply to volunteer as a Local Access Forum Member using our volunteering online form (select the 'Seeking members for the Local Access Forum' option on the second page of the form).
 

Meetings

The Mid and West Berkshire LAF meets three times a year, once in each council's area.

The next meeting is taking place on Wednesday 31 January 2024 from 2-5pm in Reading.

Followed by the next meeting on Wednesday 22 May 2024 from 2-5pm in West Berkshire.

Final meeting of the year will take place on Wednesday 25 September 2024 from 2-5pm in Wokingham.

Members of the public can attend the meetings and contribute to discussions. There are also vacancies that arise on the LAF from time to time.

For further details or more information, please use the contact details below:

• Mrs Sandra Griffin - Secretary Mid and West Berkshire Local Access Forum
• sandra.griffin1@westberks.gov.uk