Agenda item

PDLAF Member, Ben Seal from Paddle UK, gave a presentation on the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Outdoor Recreation and Access to Nature.  The APPG held an Inquiry on expanding access to blue and green spaces, including expert witness sessions across a broad range of user and interest groups, and have produced the Outdoors For All Recommendations Report.  Lots of outdoor recreation groups were involved, including Paddle UK.  A Summary of Consensus has been drawn up with 40 recommendations split into 9 sections.  The Inquiry is the start of a process to consult on Access to Nature.  The PDLAF needs to consider what good access is by looking at the report findings and being prepared to respond to a future Access to Nature consultation.  New APPGs are imminent for National Parks and Outdoor Education.

Forum members discussed access issues and the findings of the report on public awareness and education. It is a small percentage of the population that cause problems in the countryside. How to educate in the right way is key.  The Countryside Code could be better communicated through social media, promoted through retailers and businesses and broken down into specific activity codes for wild camping, fire risk and dogs.

The PDLAF didn’t respond to the consultation due to difficulties in achieving consensus within the timeframe, but Ben indicated that responses subsequently directed to the APPG on Access to Nature were welcomed.

Action:  The link to the Outdoors For All report be circulated. PDLAF members to contribute to a response to the APPG consultation recommendations.