Sula Rayska has indicated that she would be happy to remain as Chair for a second year.

Please ensure you sign the attendance record. Could members also check their contact details against the list sent with this agenda. Jim Stabler has been appointed Access Development Officer, in succession to Karen Wilson. Shropshire Council’s Outside Bodies Working Group will be considering member appointments to a large number of outside organizations at their meeting on 15 July 2009.

Caroline Bedell has indicated that she would be happy to remain as Vice-Chair for a second year.

To confirm the minutes of the last meeting held on 30 April 2009 (attached marked: A).

To receive any questions, statements or petitions of which notice has been received from members of the public.

Mrs Evelyn Stabler, Natural England, will give a talk on the operation of permissive access schemes.

An oral report will be made by Deb Hughes, Countryside Access Manager.

As requested at the last meeting, information is provided (attached marked: B ) on the exercise of Shropshire Council’s regulatory functions relating to public rights of way as set out in Schedule 1 of the Local Authorities (Functions and responsibilities ) (England) Regulations 2000 (as amended) and the matters delegated to the Countryside Access Manager. Shona Lewis, Access Mapping Team Leader, will be pleased to answer any questions.

Consultation on the long term role of the Public Forest Estate in England was launched on 6 July 2009 and will finish on 28 September 2009. A copy of the summary is attached marked: C. The consultation document may be downloaded at http://www.forestry.gov.uk/england-estatestudy and there is an online response form. Regional meetings are being held to support discussion on the issues raised by the consultation, and to encourage written responses. A meeting will be held at Hatherton Country House Hotel, Pinfold Lane, Penkridge Staffordshire on 9 September 2009.

Caroline Bedell has asked what support messages the Forum can give farmers with concerns regarding cows and calves and dog walkers following recent well publicized incidents involving the public and cattle. Guidance notes from the Shropshire Council website and an HSE Leaflet are attached: marked: D.

The following minutes/papers are provided as updates for members: Minutes of Shropshire Riders and Carriage Drivers Groups held on 23 February 2009, (attached marked: E) Minutes of the Byways Liaison Group meeting held on 25 March 2009 (attached marked: F) Access newsletter issue No. 39 (attached marked: G) DEFRA letter from Huw Irranca-Davies MP (Minister for Marine and Natural Environment, Wildlife and Rural Affairs dated 28 May 2009 (attached marked: H) DEFRA letter containing amendments to Secretary of State’s guidance on Local Access Forums dated 28 May 2009 (attached marked: I) Natural England have been asked to provide documentation on the following matters set out in the minutes of the England Access Forum held on 11 March 2009: - A summary of the legal basis for gating orders to be disseminated to LAFs - Local Area Agreement paper to be disseminated to LAFs - The recent response from the Highways Agency on Rights of Way and Trunk Road improvements be shared with the Suffolk LAF and the main points be passed to other LAFs - The Diversity and Equality presentation be disseminated to LAFs

Jim Stabler will give a demonstration of this website: www.shropshire riding.co.uk at the meeting.

Country Parks and sites Members are asked to suggest other agenda items for the next meeting on 20 October 2009. ………………………………………………………………………………………….. Following lunch members are invited to a tour of the exhibition at the Discovery Centre which gives a geological history of the Shropshire Hills.