Perth and Kinross Outdoor Access Forum Annual Report 2024-25
Perth and Kinross Council · 10 November 2025
Back to Climate Change and Sustainability Committee — 10 November 2025 and its agenda
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PERTH AND KINROSS COUNCIL Our vision is a Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequalities ___________________________________________________________________ Committee or Board: Climate Change & Sustainability Committee Date of Meeting: 10 November 2025 Report Title: Perth and Kinross Outdoor Access Forum Annual Report 2024-25 Report Number: 25/301 Report Author: Dave Stubbs – Greenspace Coordinator – Communities/Andy Clegg – Community Greenspace Manager Organisational Lead: Elaine Ritchie, Strategic Lead – Housing and Communities ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Purpose 1.1 This report summarises the activities and progress of the Perth and Kinross Outdoor Access Forum over the last year and recommends the appointment of two new members to the Forum. 1.2 Sections 1. Purpose 2. Recommendations 3. Background/Main Issues 4. Proposals 5. Conclusion 6. Impact Value Assessment 7. Appendices 2. Recommendations It is recommended that the Committee: 2.1 Confirms the appointment of two new members for a period of four years. 2.2 Notes that the remaining members are retained in their appointments for at least a further year as set out in Appendix 1.
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2.3 Delegates to the Strategic Lead (Housing & Communities) the filling of any casual vacancy arising in this period through recruitment by Forum members, as detailed within the Forum’s Terms of Reference. 2.4 Notes the contribution of one retiring member, the activities and progress of the Forum since October 2024 and the ongoing commitment to maximise effective partnership working to make the best of the exceptional landscapes, paths networks and access rights for all within Perth & Kinross. 2.5 Notes the progress in reviewing the working relationship between the Council and Forum and possible need to bring proposals for any formal changes to a future committee. 3. Background/Main Issues 3.1 This report follows on from the previous report (Report No. 24/285 refers) to the Economy and Infrastructure Committee on 21 October 2024. It was subsequently decided that future reports would go to the Climate Change and Sustainability Committee. 3.2 Part 1 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 requires local authorities to set up at least one local Access Forum and to appoint members to it. The Act states that the functions of a Forum are to advise the local authority and any other person or body consulting the Forum on matters having to do with: • the exercise of access rights • the existence and delineation of rights of way • the drawing up and adoption of a plan for a system of core paths. • the offer of assistance in disputes about access rights etc. 3.3 The Perth and Kinross Outdoor Access Forum (the Forum) was established in 2004, and their statutory role is as advisors to the Council and others on public access matters. Whilst the main service contact is with the Community Greenspace Service, the Forum can work directly with other services covering legal, planning and infrastructure projects, on matters relevant to them. Key topics the Forum have been advising the Council on over the last year include obstructions to access, path diversions and level crossings. 3.4 The Forum has capacity for sixteen members. Twelve members are voluntary and represent the interests of landowners/managers, the community and recreation equally. These members are elected at an open Forum meeting and their appointments confirmed by the appropriate Council Committee. The remaining members represent agencies and other bodies and are invited onto the Forum by the Council. The list of members and prospective new members is shown in Appendix 1. 3.5 Four ordinary meetings took place over the last year including the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and an open meeting on 15 May 2025 at Pullar House in Perth and online.
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In terms of the membership, existing members John Andrews, Nick Cole and Sarah Walker stood down, but in the absence of new nominations, indicated a willingness to continue in their roles and were duly elected. Mary Conacher indicated that she would step down once a suitable replacement had been found. 3.6 After that meeting, two new candidates, Jonathan Love and Richie Neill, put themselves forward as members and Karen Inkster confirmed that she wished to continue in her role. 3.7 As such there are changes to the membership which require to be confirmed by the Committee: • In the Recreation Group, Mary Conacher stood down to be replaced by Richie Neill. Existing members Karen Inkster and John Andrews were re- elected to serve for up to a further four years. • In the Communities Group, existing members Nick Cole and Sarah Walker were re-elected to serve for up to a further four years. • In the Land Managers’ Group, a longstanding vacancy is to be filled by Jonathan Love. • No changes were made in the Agencies and Other Bodies Group. 3.8 Founder member of the Forum, Mary Conacher, stood down from her role after 21 years’ service. Mary has been an active member of the Scottish Canoe Association, now Paddle Scotland, and as such her knowledge and experience has been invaluable to managing access to our lochs and rivers. Her replacement, Richie Neill, is Paddle Scotland’s River advisor for the Tay, ensuring continuity in this important area. 3.9 The Forum is carrying two vacancies for the Agencies and Other Bodies Group. Officers are working with the Forum to identify suitable replacements. The Forum will fill any casual vacancies which may arise as per the Terms of Reference. 3.10 Also to note, Peter Pearson, founder member and former Vice Convenor of the Forum 2004-19, passed away in August 2025 after a lengthy illness. Peter made a very valuable and much appreciated contribution to the work of the Forum and the Council pass on their sincere condolences to his family and friends. 3.11 The Forum has an active subgroup which provides advice and assistance to the Council on exemptions and obstructions to access. During August 2024 to September 2025, the subgroup assisted with 152 alleged obstructions. The Forum was able to close off 54, with 33 cases resolved, 12 cases closed as unresolved and 9 closed as out of the Forum’s scope. Another subgroup provides advice to Scottish Forestry and the forestry industry in relation to forestry proposals. During 2024-25, the Forum responded to 42 consultations and engaged positively with the industry to achieve better outcomes. This work involved on-site investigation, cross referencing existing guidance and forging good working relationships with forestry agents.
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3.12 In July 2024, the Scottish Government wrote to Perth & Kinross Council, directing the Council to review the Core Paths Plan in relation to private level crossings. Following legal advice, consultation with other access authorities and with the Forum, officers wrote back in October 2024 stating that the Council did not intend to amend the Plan to exclude private level crossings. No further action is planned on this currently. 3.13 Wild camping, or more specifically irresponsible vehicle-based camping, has been an ongoing concern for rural communities across Perth & Kinross during 2024-25. Council Members wrote to NatureScot seeking an urgent review of the Access Code and associated legislation in August 2025. Going forward, the Access Forum’s advice and support is being sought to build a case for changes at a national level and on the further measures the Council may wish to take to address these concerns. 3.14 As reported at the previous Economy and Infrastructure Committee, a review of the relationship between the Council and Forum is underway to fully address the changes to roles and budgets over the last 20 years. Meantime, support to the Forum remains the same but this is unsustainable in the longer term. Discussions with the Forum will continue to try and reach an agreement and any changes to the Terms of Reference. A further report will be brought to a future committee as appropriate, depending on the scale of the changes and requirement for resources. 4. Proposals 4.1 It is proposed that the appointments noted above and detailed in Appendix 1 are confirmed and that any casual vacancy arising is filled by the Forum as detailed in the Terms of Reference. 4.2 It is also proposed to continue to seek ways to work with the Forum to maximise the effective use of collective resources. This will include consideration of the NatureScot draft Guide to Good Practice and changes to the Terms of Reference, as required. 5. Conclusion 5.1 The Council’s Community Greenspace Service manages the statutory functions in relation to the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 and values the partnership relationship with the Forum and the advice it has to offer. There is a wide range of activities undertaken in relation to the management of core paths and access rights more generally. Opportunities to involve the Forum in these, with their agreement, will continue to be sought. This will help to make the best of the exceptional landscapes, paths networks and access rights for all within Perth & Kinross. 6. Impact Value Assessment 6.1 This report has been classified as being an operational report and as such does not require a full Impact and Value Assessment.
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7. Appendices 7.1 Appendix 1 – Candidates for Appointment to the Forum.