Joint Local Access Forum (JLAF)

Use this page to find out about the Joint Local Access Forum (JLAF), including what it does, when it meets and how you can become a member.

What the JLAF does

The JLAF is a statutory forum set up by three councils; Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol and South Gloucestershire.

The Forum provides independent advice to the three Councils about improving public rights of way in the area.

This advice aims to improve public access for outdoor recreation and sustainable travel. JLAF's guidance council strategies, such as the Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP).

The JLAF currently meets 3 times a year.

JLAF structure

There are 21 members in the forum. All members are volunteers.

Each council nominates one member. The other 18 members are independent.

Other members include:

land owners and land managers
access users such as walkers, cyclists and horse riders
representatives for other interests, such as health and conservation

Select a topic below to find out more about the JLAF.

JLAF members and roles

JLAF members are volunteers from varied backgrounds. All members work collaboratively to improve public rights of way and outdoor access.

JLAF members
Name	Role	Membership category
Kathy Thomas	Chair of the JLAF	User interests
Donald MacIntyre	Vice-Chair of the JLAF	Land managing interests
Cllr Cam Hayward	Member	Council representative (Bristol City Council)
Shaun Stephenson McGall	Member	Council representative (Bath & North East Somerset Council)
Vacant	Member	Council representative (South Gloucestershire Council)
Chris Bloor	Member	User interests
Rennie Dickens	Member	Other interests
Ann Fay	Member	User interests
Andrew Gough	Member	User interests
Ken Mill	Member	User interests
Peter Bird	Member	User interests
John Darvill	Member	Other interests
Charlie Moore	Member	User interests
Piers Horry	Member	Land managing interests
Jeff Rowland	Member	User interests
Graeme Stark	Secretary	User interests

Graeme Stark is Secretary to the JLAF and works on behalf of Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol City and South Gloucestershire Councils.

Become a JLAF member

If you are enthusiastic about public rights of way and access to outdoor spaces, you can apply to become a JLAF member.

Becoming a JLAF member will allow you to contribute your views and ideas on the potential of the network of paths in the area, and how to make it more accessible and enjoyable for all.

We are particularly keen to receive your application if you have a land-owning or land management background.

We review membership applications every two years.