National Access Forum - 8 February 2023

National Access Forum – 59^th meeting on Wednesday 8 February 2022,  10.30 – 13:15

Hybrid meeting - In-person at Battleby, and Virtual via MS Teams

1. Welcome, introductions, apologies – Don Milton – Convenor - 10:30 – 10:45
2. Minutes of previous meetings, & action points and matters arising – 10:45 – 11:00 - (unconfirmed minutes from the virtual meeting held 21 September 2022 attached)

Carried over from 2 February 2022, as discussed in Sept:

AP 56/3: - Mark Wrightham to circulate a paper to the camping sub-group to look at the cumulative impacts of camping; potential actions could then be considered by the Forum.

On- going: Sept update: No further progress since paper circulated to the sub-group for comment earlier in the summer but report from Scottish Government and NatureScot presenting behavioural research on promoting responsible camping to be published early October and associated webinar - Full report;  Summary.  Feb 2023 update: Bridget Jones confirms that messaging around camping including fires & responsible behaviour and cumulative impacts is now included in the Visitor Management Strategy action plan for 2023

AP 56/5: - NatureScot to investigate the legal position on liability for third party promotion of paths. On- going: Sept update: Bridget Jones from NatureScot is considering how best to take forward. 

Feb 2023 update: Bridget Jones confirms NatureScot has prepared a draft brief and will be seeking legal advice, using our legal advisors, with a response anticipated by early spring.

Carried over from 8 June 2022:

AP 57/2: - Forum members wishing to be part of a working group to look at wild deer management and access should inform the NAFsec.  Discharged

From 21 September 2022:

AP 58/1 – NAFsec to circulate the note of the Ben Alder level-crossing site meeting between SLE and Network Rail (an SLE member) to NAF members when available.  Discharged

AP 58/2 – NAFsec to publish the NAF Guidance Note on Roads and Access Legislation on the SOAC website, and enlist NAF members’ support in disseminating it to the target audiences.  Discharged

AP 58/3 – NAF Convenor to write to Scottish Ministers, providing the Guidance Note on Roads and Access Legislation and recommending future legislative change.  Discharged

AP 58/4 – Nick Cole to seek feedback from LAF Chairs on the issue of support / resourcing of LAFs by local authorities.  Discharged

AP 58/5 – NAFsec to provide info on the Ian Findlay Path Fund  Discharged

AP 58/6 – Helen Todd to invite reps from land management bodies to join the resources for access sub-group.  Discharged

AP 58/7 – The resources for access sub-group to develop a work plan to include NAF responses to the current consultations on land reform and agriculture legislation.  Partially discharged.  See agenda item 5

AP 58/8: Additional volunteers for the NAF/LAF event working group and ideas for the proposed late-spring meeting should be sent to the NAFsec who will convene the first meeting as soon as practicable.  Discharged.  See agenda item 6

3. Wildlife Disturbance sub-group – updated Guidance attached - Alan Macpherson, NatureScot -  11:00  -  11:20

Comfort break                 11:20 – 11:30

4. SOAC Communications planning for 2023 – Cat Synnot, NatureScot – paper attached  -  11:30  -  11:50
5. Resources for Access sub-group - Helen Todd, Ramblers Scotland - paper attached  - 11:50  -  12:10
6. NAF / LAF event – proposal -  Nick Cole, LAFs rep. - paper attached  -  12:10 – 12:30
7. Membership Review – outcome of second phase – Alan Macpherson, NatureScot  – paper attached  -  12:30 - 12:50
8. Forthcoming meetings & agenda items - Don Milton - updated work programme attached

12:50 – 13:00

• NAF / LAF event -    TBC
• NAF meeting - Wednesday 7 June 2023 – Battleby
• NAF meeting - Wednesday 20 September 2023 – Battleby
• NAF meeting – Wednesday 7 February 2024     TBC

June agenda items:

• Phraseology relating to right of access
• Forestry planning and how best to minimise impacts on access
• GB-wide eMTB study published 19 January by British Cycling

9. Any Other Business (please inform the secretary of any substantive items)  –   13:00 – 13:15

-  Paths for All:

• Ian Findlay Path Fund
• Scottish Walking Awards

Close – 13:15

Purpose

This paper presents the outcome of the review of the forum’s guidance on access and wildlife disturbance. The review was initiated in 2022 in the context of growing recognition of the benefits of outdoor recreation; a progressive increase in participation, amplified during the pandemic; and growing concerns about disturbance of wildlife in some places.

Action

The Forum is asked to approve the updated guidance, subject to any comments, and consider how members can assist with dissemination to its target audience.

Background

At the February 2022 meeting, the proposal to review the forum’s guidance on access and wildlife disturbance was discussed and agreed. The guidance published in 2014 focused on disturbance of ground-nesting birds by poorly controlled dogs, but was structured using a framework of management approaches which was recognised as being more widely applicable to other wildlife disturbance issues.

Following the 2022 NAF meeting a sub-group was formed to undertake the review, chaired by the NAF Convenor and comprising representatives from: BASC, Cairngorms NPA, Canoe Scotland, Cycling UK, Kennel Club/Scottish Kennel Club, LAFs rep, Mountaineering Scotland, NatureScot, Ramblers Scotland, RYA Scotland, RSPB, Scottish Land & Estates and Scottish Raptor Study Group. Two drafts of the updated guidance have now been discussed at meetings of the sub-group and there has also been input from NatureScot access, species and protected area specialists.

In reviewing and updating the original guidance, the aim was to help site managers, access officers and other staff involved in local access management to deal with a broader range of issues impacting on sensitive species and important habitats within the context of biodiversity loss and climate change.

The text has been revised, updated and refreshed to reflect the wider applicability to wildlife disturbance issues and feedback on using the previous guidance. Where necessary, additional content has been provided, for example on balancing the relationship between evidence based and precautionary action. The length of the guidance document remains about the same, but it has been restructured to reduce duplication and draw out the key messages more clearly. The guidance is supported by case examples, provided using hyperlinks to available information published online.

Recommendation

Attendees at the sub-group meeting on 26 January welcomed the updated guidance, offered a range of minor comments (incorporated into the attached version) and expressed a keenness to publish the final version in readiness for this year’s bird breeding season.

The final draft takes on board feedback from the sub-group but it should be noted that improvements to the document’s design / presentation are still to be actioned. It is recommended that NAF’s discussion of this paper, and any final suggestions made on content including additional online case examples, should conclude with approval to publish by the end of February.

NatureScot
February 2023

Purpose

This paper provides an update of the proposed priorities for Scottish Outdoor Access Code promotion in 2023 by NatureScot.

Action

Members are asked to comment on the suggested priority topics, audiences, and any other aspects of Code promotion during the coming year.

Background

NatureScot has a statutory duty to promote the Scottish Outdoor Access Code (SOAC). Our communications approach in 2022 was informed by considerable previous discussions at the Forum.

In 2022, a large part of NatureScot’s promotion of the Code was social media-based - using a library of newly designed graphics featuring key messages (available to download from the SOAC website), which we tested on our target audiences. Organic social media activity was periodically ‘boosted’ through an agency to reach a wider audience and direct traffic to the relevant part of the SOAC website. This focus on social media enabled us to share issue-specific messages with our target audiences and also allowed the campaign to operate on a broader front - with a wider reach than was previously the case. The development of the campaign on social media also allowed us to be more flexible in responding to particular issues as they arose. We complemented this activity with adverts on local radio that featured across the local Bauer network, reinforcing the messages shared on our social media channels.

The SOAC campaign now sits in the context of the collaborative national Visitor Management Strategy (VMS). Code promotion will therefore continue to be shared between a range of key partners including NatureScot, VisitScotland, Forestry & Land Scotland, the National Park Authorities, Zero Waste Scotland, Ramblers Scotland, and Keep Scotland Beautiful, and co-ordinated through the VMS Education & Marketing sub-group. This combined effort will also involve a combination of online/social and traditional media to target a variety of audiences e.g. Ramblers Scotland’s video campaigns targeting late teens and young adults aged 16-24. Ongoing discussion between member bodies will facilitate cross-promotion of content across partner channels and support local promotional activity.

NatureScot ran SOAC activity workshops aimed at teachers / outdoor educators utilising the newly designed SOAC on-line education pack to help participants learn about SOAC, its links to the curriculum and a variety of activities to help pupils understand more about their rights and responsibilities.  This approach will continue in 2023 and it is hoped, broaden, to include potential induction / training of visitor information staff at key sites across Scotland.

In 2023, the timing of different parts of the campaign will continue to reflect the seasonality of some issues e.g. dogs and livestock, and birds on the foreshore in winter. As seen in previous years, a marked increase in outdoor visits is likely at some stage in early spring, and clear and sustained SOAC messaging will be required from that time onwards.

The key themes that have been identified are summarised in the following table, along with a suggested approach to messaging in 2023.

Key proposed topics and audiences

2023 campaign strategy

We plan to communicate the desired behaviours through positive messaging, encouraging personal involvement, and providing informative content for those accessing the outdoors in Scotland. Involving users generates a sense of joint ownership - of both the issue and solution - and an opportunity for developing awareness, understanding, and trust. Research on responsible camping found that, although often lacking in knowledge and experience, most people wanted to do the right thing - we must harness this desire.

Positive messaging:

• Use ‘do’ rather than ‘don’t’ messages whenever possible e.g. do use a stove (and why), rather than don’t light a fire.
• Use ‘tips’ when giving information rather than instructions/guidance.

Personal involvement:

• Encourage people to take personal responsibility – not just for their actions when outdoors but for sharing messages about the desired behaviours. By targeting those receptive to the messages (and encouraging them to share these) we can take advantage of cascading behaviour – meaning our messages will reach a wider audience.
• Motivate people using what interests them about the outdoors e.g. a dog walker may be more likely to keep their dog on the lead around seals if they understand that their pet could get bitten.

Informative content:

• Provide information on practical actions people can take to do the right thing and enhance their experience of the outdoors, without assuming prior knowledge e.g. top tips, checklists.
• Provide the rationale behind the actions we are asking for and identify a victim of certain behaviours if appropriate, e.g. a photo of a wader chick (that could be abandoned by the parent if the nest is disturbed).

As well as using social media influencers to target specific audiences (such as dog walkers, campers, and watersports participants), we plan to utilise our following on social media to get people to be ‘Outdoors Ambassadors’. We will encourage them to share their experiences of doing the desired behaviours and offer others tips on how to do this. Research has shown that our rangers are held “in great respect” and are a trusted source of advice and information. We will also support them to deliver these messages across our channels – via video or written content, such as blogs and social media posts.

Further plans for 2023 include:

• Work on the SOAC website to improve user journeys through the site (making it easier for people to find what they are looking for), tie in positive messaging (while ensuring that the content from the Code remains), and archive old information that confuses/conflicts with the messaging.
• Traditional press releases and media work to coincide with seasonal messages.
• Blogs from NNRs related to Visitor Management (sharing positive news, as well as highlighting issues) and by/about social media influencers/ambassadors taking part in the campaign.
• Enabling people to test their knowledge of SOAC through online polls and quizzes. Quizzes and polls are fun for the participant and can be used to gauge awareness levels on specific issues outside of yearly monitoring.

Comments on any of the above, including suggested topics, key audiences or the overall approach to this year’s campaign, would be very welcome.

NatureScot
January 2023

Purpose

This paper summarises the outcome of the second, and final, phase of the membership review covering representation within the ‘Public bodies’ and ‘Others’ groupings, building on the progress report provided at the NAF meeting on 21 September 2022.

Action

Members are invited to note the outcome of consultation with member organisations in the ‘Public bodies’ and ‘Others’ groupings during the second phase of the membership review and the resulting changes to full and corresponding member status. Recommendations are made within each grouping for consideration by members.

Background

The first phase of the membership review, concluded in June 2022, looked at the representation of ‘Recreation Bodies’ and ‘Land Management’ bodies on the Forum. For the ‘Recreation Bodies’ grouping this concluded with the Forum agreeing to Scottish Cycling (represented by Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland) taking up the vacancy arising from Scottish Sports Association’s decision to move from full to corresponding membership status. The review resulted in no changes within the ‘Land Management’ grouping as there were no vacancies, although the Forum encouraged the development of a close working relationship between the National Sheep Association Scotland (NSAS) and the SLE and NFUS representatives in response to NSAS’s interest.

Outcome of Phase 2 

All 65 full and corresponding member organisations within the ‘Public bodies’ and ‘Others’ groupings were initially contacted by the NAF Secretary by email in August 2022 to ascertain if they wished their status to remain the same.

1. ‘Public bodies’ grouping

The previous 2018 membership review resulted in the Forum having seven public body full members. Three are permanent members – Scottish Local Authorities, the National Park Authorities (one joint seat), and NatureScot (which is non-voting) with the other four seats held by Local Access Forums, sportscotland, Police Scotland and Forestry Commission Scotland.

Responses have been received from all nineteen organisations in this grouping, with the following requested changes:

• sportscotland wish to continue involvement with NAF but as a corresponding rather than a full member, in light of the level of representation from the outdoor sports governing bodies on the Forum.
• Scottish Forestry (SF) and Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) have requested full membership of the Forum following the reform of the public forestry sector and the establishment of both organisations in 2019 as separate executive agencies of the Scottish Government.
• Scottish Enterprise and Office of Rail and Road no longer wish to be corresponding members.

There are therefore, in effect, two full member places available to be allocated within this grouping resulting from sportscotland’s withdrawal and the re-organisation of Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS). While FCS was a full member, its involvement with NAF was, in practice, supported and assisted by Forest Enterprise whose representatives attended relevant NAF meetings and engaged with relevant working groups.  Since their establishment, both SF and FLS have engaged actively with NAF and attended Forum meetings and working groups, continuing the involvement of their predecessor bodies.

The membership review has provided an opportunity for both organisations to formally request full membership of NAF. As a land manager and the largest provider of outdoor recreation in Scotland, FLS bring extensive experience of managing access alongside their large scale operational forestry programme. FLS is also a key partner in the parallel strategic Visitor Management Strategy work. SF’s responsibility for forestry policy, support and regulations enable it to influence and support access provision (through the forestry grant scheme) and access management across the whole forestry sector. FLS and SF contend that these respective remits and functions enable both organisations to play an active and complementary role in the Forum that is best served by full membership status for both organisations.

Members are asked to support the requests from FLS and SF for full membership, taking up the two available places within the ‘Public bodies’ grouping.

2. ‘Other bodies’ grouping

The outcome of the 2018 membership review resulted in the Forum having six full members representing ‘other bodies’. In accordance with the operating principles, these should include at least one representative of education interests within access rights; commercial interests within access rights; and conservation interests. Since 2018, these three roles have been fulfilled by Scottish Advisory Panel for Outdoor Education (SAPOE), Wild Scotland and Woodland Trust Scotland respectively. The remaining three seats (for bodies which do not fall into any of the above categories) have been occupied by Kennel Club/Scottish Kennel Club, ScotWays and Paths for All Partnership.

Responses have been received from 36 of the 46 organisations within this grouping – organisations are still being chased (gaps are largely the result of named contacts having left an organisation), with often painstaking work required to establish new contacts and update NAF distribution lists. The outcome of the consultation responses is that:

• All six current full members (SAPOE, Wild Scotland, Woodland Trust Scotland, Kennel Club/Scottish Kennel Club, ScotWays and Paths for All Partnership) confirmed that they wished to remain as full members, meaning there are no vacancies.
• Association of Heads of Outdoor Education Centres (AHOEC) and Scottish Countryside Rangers Association (SCRA) expressed interest in moving from corresponding to full membership.
• Moray House - Outdoor & Environmental Education Group asked to be added as a new corresponding member.

Follow-on discussions were facilitated between SAPOE and AHOEC in recognition that both organisations work in the same area (outdoors/educating young people) albeit serving different needs and interests. This concluded in agreement between the two organisations to co-ordinate their input, with SAPOE, as a full member, agreeing to feed in views from AHOEC, as required, and AHOEC remaining as a corresponding member.

SCRA is a corresponding member, but initially attended the NAF meeting on 5 June 2020 as a guest, prompted by a desire to be directly engaged in the discussions on the particular visitor management issues during the early months of the pandemic. Their continued attendance as a guest has been mutually beneficial during the last two years given the key role Rangers have played in managing visitor pressures and promoting responsible behaviour over this period. However, as all the existing full members within this membership grouping wish to continue, there is no seat available to allocate to SCRA at this time under the Forum’s operating principles.  In preserving the broad balance in Forum representation, the precedent in similar previous circumstances has been to ask the organisation to continue as a corresponding member and to investigate ways of developing a closer working relationship with the NAF through existing full members. Members are asked if they support this approach.

Next steps

Following discussion and decision on Phase 2 of the review at the Forum in February 2023, the list of NAF members (full and corresponding) will be updated and circulated. A partially updated working version, as of January 2023, is attached for reference at Annex A.

The Secretary will continue to chase responses and updated named contacts for the remaining organisations: Boys’ Brigade; Duke of Edinburgh Scotland; Girls’ Brigade; Venture Trust; Scottish Youth Hostel Association; Trekking and Riding Society of Scotland; Disability Equality Scotland; Salmon & Trout Association; Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors; and Scottish Chambers of Commerce. If members have had any recent contact with any of these organisations and can suggest possible leads, please get in touch with the Secretary.

The review provides a timely opportunity to remind members that following discussion and agreement in 2018 on how to involve young people in the work of NAF, members were invited to bring a young person from their organisation to Forum meetings, alerting the Secretary in advance to manage numbers. If necessary, this could be done on rotation. The approach could be broadened to encourage greater equality, diversity and inclusion within NAF’s work.

The NAF operating principles require a review of membership every four years, so the next review will be due to commence in 2026.

NatureScot
January 2023

Hybrid meeting: 8 February 2023

Present:

* in attendance as additional representatives or guests

Item 1 – Welcome, introductions and apologies 

1. The Convenor opened the hybrid meeting, welcoming everyone to the Forum. He introduced new representatives, Carol Ritchie for Wild Scotland, Constable Graeme Scott for Police Scotland, and thanked Alan Dron for all his input into the NAF, wishing him well on his forthcoming retirement. Ali Tait was officially introduced to the Forum as the new NAF secretary, taking over from Bridget Finton. Bridget was thanked for her help with the NAF.

Apologies: Colin Shedden (BASC), Paul Timms (Cycling UK), Andrew Hopetoun (Historic Houses Scotland), Eileen Stuart (NatureScot), Stephan Hennig (ScotWays), Graeme McLean (Scottish Cycling).

Convenor’s report: 

2. The Convenor reported that he had attended a Scottish Forestry stakeholder meeting where he was pleased to see access raised as a topic for discussion. He noted that SORA (Scottish Outdoor Recreation Alliance) had submitted a response to the UK Forestry Standard consultation and was a good example of sectoral interests within the NAF working together when there was no time for a NAF response. He also noted that he has received representations from NAF members and the public raising concerns with him over the use of the phrase “access-takers” and the negative connotations potentially associated with it. He felt that further discussion by Forum members was needed on this matter and in the meantime, he stated that neither the NAF Secretary nor himself would use the phrase in correspondence or published documents.

AP 59/1: Members to consult with their organisations/representative areas to seek views on the use of the phrase “access takers”, whether the NAF should provide guidance, confirm suggested or propose better terminology and to send comments or proposed new terminology to NAFsec before the June meeting. 

Item 2 – Minutes of previous meetings, action points and matters arising

3. Minutes: the unconfirmed minutes of 21st September 2022, previously circulated, were approved with no amendments.
    
4. Action Points:

AP 56/3: Mark Wrightam to circulate a paper to the camping sub-group to look at the cumulative impacts of camping; potential actions could then be considered by the forum. Feb 2023 update: Bridget Jones confirms that messaging around camping including fires & responsible behaviour and cumulative impacts is now included in the Visitor Management Strategy action plan for 2023. Discharged.

AP 56/5: NatureScot to investigate the legal position on liability for third party promotion of paths. On-going – Feb 2023 update – Bridget Jones confirms NatureScot has prepared a draft brief and will be seeking legal advice, with a response anticipated by the spring.

AP 57/2: Forum members wishing to be part of a working group to look at wild deer management and access should inform the NAFsec. Discharged. The working group met in December 2022, meeting next in February 2023.  Terms of Reference have been drafted.

AP 58/1: NAFsec to circulate the note of the Ben Alder level-crossing site meeting between SLE and Network Rail (an SLE member) to NAF members when available. Discharged.

AP 58/2: NAFsec to publish the NAF Guidance note on roads and access legislation on the SOAC website, and enlist NAF members’ support in disseminating it to the target audiences. Discharged.

AP 58/3: NAF Convenor to write to Scottish Ministers, providing the Guidance Note on Roads and Access Legislation and recommending future legislative change. Discharged. NAFsec received a response from Mairi McAllan, Minister for Environment & Land Reform on 7th Feb 2023: this will be circulated with 59th NAF meeting minutes. 

AP 58/4: Nick Cole to seek feedback from LAF chairs on the issue of support/resourcing of LAFs by local authorities. Discharged. Covered in Agenda item 6.

AP 58/5: NAFsec to provide info on Ian Findlay Path Fund. Discharged.

AP 58/6: Helen Todd to invite representatives from land management bodies to join the resources for access sub-group. SLE and NFUS now represented. Discharged.

AP 58/7: The resources for access sub-group to develop a work plan to include NAF responses to the current consultations on land reform and agriculture legislation. Discharged.  Covered in agenda item 5.

AP 58/8: Additional volunteers for the NAF/LAF event working group and ideas for the proposed late-spring meeting should be sent to the NAFsec who will convene the first meeting as soon as practicable. Discharged. See agenda items 5 and 6. 

Item 3 - Wildlife disturbance sub-group 

5. Alan Macpherson introduced the revised guidance developed by the sub-group.  He reminded members that the original 2014 NAF guidance on this topic had focused on the issue of dogs disturbing ground-nesting birds However, as the principles underpinning it were more widely applicable, the aim was to revisit the guidance to broaden its scope to help site managers and access authorities respond to a broader range of issues impacting on sensitive species and important habitats. He thanked everyone who had provided input to the sub-group and expressed specific thanks to NatureScot’s Caroline Fyfe for doing the bulk of the work in revising the guidance into its updated form. Input has also been provided by NatureScot’s species and protected area specialists. The revised guidance is similar in length to the previous version, but has been restructured to remove duplication, draw out the key messages more clearly and give it a more logical flow (as well as making the content less dog focused). Case studies and further advice have been included. The sub-group is supportive of the final draft – the consensus being that while it was complex, it is clear – and subject to any final comments from the full Forum recommends that it is finalised and published before the 2023 bird breeding season begins. The document is intended for a professional audience to assist with planning visitor management to protect sensitive habitats and species.
    
6. Members welcomed the updated guidance and suggested a number of minor edits, comments including references to the role of commercial activity providers and the issue of the construction of unauthorised mountain bike routes. As the guidance will be published online only, it was noted that it could therefore be updated relatively easily,   with NatureScot suggesting that the sub-group could review any issues arising during the autumn, in the light of experience of using the guidance.
    
7. While NFUS indicated it would like time to consider the guidance, the Convenor concluded the discussion by confirming that the consensus of the Forum was that because of time sensitivity the guidance should be published with minor edits before the start of the bird breeding season, and consideration be given for a review in the autumn.

Finalised NAF guidance now available: Managing Public Access in Areas of Wildlife Sensitivity in Scotland

Item 4 – SOAC communications planning 2023

8. Cat Synnot, NatureScot’s Head of Communications, presented the paper and began by outlining the 2022 approach which Cat acknowledged was largely shaped by advice from the NAF. 2022 had seen the growing use of new graphics designed for social media which enabled quick response to issues related to increased use of the outdoors as a consequence of Covid-19. Collaborating with partners involved in the Visitor Management Strategy and sharing SOAC messaging on social media platforms made the campaign more effective in reaching wider audiences including those new to outdoor access and recreation.   
    
9. The 2023 campaign will continue with a seasonal approach, will aim for a welcoming tone that explains and encourages responsible behaviour, and will use “do” rather than “don’t” messages. Rangers are seen by the public as trusted sources of information and a way to amplify SOAC messaging. The SOAC website will be improved to make it easier to navigate and will use enticing helpful tips backed up by stronger messaging. Use will still be made of traditional media and press releases, supplemented by online polls and quizzes to gauge levels of understanding of SOAC messages.
    
10. In reflecting on the issued raised, Alan Dron commented that there is a lack of awareness regarding SOAC, the visible presence of rangers has made a big difference, and people need clarity in definitions and consistency of messaging. Cat agreed with the suggestion to use simplified messaging and also discussed using social media influencers and peer pressure to make it clear what irresponsible behaviour is and why the influencers disapprove of it.
     
11. Stephen Jenkinson noted that most people want to do the right thing and felt that national messaging about access with dogs should be reiterated locally on-site. Carol Ritchie suggested that more segmentation of the targeted audiences would help the messages be amplified effectively and also noted that commercial operators can be a good means of promoting SOAC messaging. Other techniques like nudge messaging, apps that can give information, films that show best practice and use of novel techniques to reach specific target audiences could be helpful.
     
12. Other points raised by members included: the SOAC website should have more information on the reciprocal duties of land managers and how to create a welcoming environment for visitors; resources such as leaflets for rangers to pass to people they engage with would be helpful; contact information for ranger services and an explanation of their role should be provided on the SOAC website; methods are needed to reach those who disregard the principles of the SOAC.
     
13. NAF members expressed support for the communications plan outlined for 2023, with several organisations offering to provide help to convey messages. Regarding the need for continued staff resources on the ground, Alan Macpherson confirmed that additional funding from Scottish Government for a Better Places Fund 4 will be available this year to support the recruitment of seasonal rangers and visitor management staff in areas under visitor pressure.

Item 5 - Resources for access sub-group 

14. By way of introduction, the Convenor commended Ramblers Scotland for the event held in the Scottish Parliament in January to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the passing of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2023 which helped raise awareness of the value of access and which had received good coverage by the media. Helen Todd then provided feedback from the Resources for access sub-group which recommended a number of actions including: 

• NAF members promote the value of outdoor access and recreation in Scotland within their organisations and represented groups; 
• the sub-group prepare a short briefing for Ministers and MSPs on the framework for access in Scotland and the importance of access as a delivery mechanism for a range of government priorities including health and economy; and
• NAF members write articles/blogs celebrating 20 years of access legislation.
• Consideration of inviting a Minister to a NAF/LAF event

15. The Forum welcomed and appreciated the paper. In the discussion that followed, it was noted that there may be opportunities to engage in the parliamentary process for the Land Reform and Agriculture Bills, building on NAF’s responses to the earlier consultation phase.  Members were not supportive of the proposal to invite a Minster to a NAF/LAF event, agreeing that it would more productive to find other ways of engaging with the Minister such as arranging an opportunity to meet with Ministers on-site to discuss issues around resourcing outdoor access. Members supported the other recommendations in the paper and asked the sub-group to take forward and co-ordinate further work on these as part of its work plan.

AP 59/2: Resources for access sub-group to progress and co-ordinate work on the agreed actions that seek to increase awareness of the value of Scotland’s outdoors for public access and recreation and promote the case for funding to maximise this potential. 

Item 6 - NAF/LAF event 2023 proposal

16. Nick Cole introduced the topic by reporting on communications he had had with five LAFs, who all reported having difficulties in maintaining or re-establishing their forums. Information from access officers on the operation of LAFs is also available in a West Lothian Council paper (Proposal to Re-structure and Raise the Profile of the West Lothian Local Access Forum) reporting on a survey they undertook in 2022 when they were exploring ways to reinvigorate their LAF.
     
17. Noting that the last NAF/LAF meeting was held in November 2021, the planning group had outlined in the paper its proposal for a meeting in spring 2023. The NAF/LAF meeting was originally proposed as being hybrid but it was subsequently agreed that the event would be held virtually at the end of April. The Convener explained that Battleby cannot support a hybrid meeting of the expected size, and it was felt that there were some advantages in an all-virtual meeting. Ministerial engagement had previously been suggested by the resources sub-group but after further discussion by the Forum it was decided that it would be more suitable to seek to involve a Minister in a different type of event, possibly promoted by NAF members because of their previous successes. The Convener confirmed that the issue of ministerial engagement will be given back to the resources sub-group as part of their remit. 
     
18. The Convenor asked the NAF/LAF planning group to arrange a virtual meeting of the NAF/LAF in late April, at which interest in a further hybrid event in the autumn would be explored.

AP 59/3: The NAF/LAF event planning group to plan the spring virtual meeting and circulate details to LAF Chairs, Local Authority Access teams, and full NAF members as soon as possible.   

Item 7 - Membership Review – outcome of second phase

19. Alan Macpherson introduced the item which addressed the review of NAF members in the ‘public bodies’ and ‘others’ groupings. In terms of the public bodies, the review had generated requests from both Forestry & Land Scotland and Scottish Forestry to become full members, taking up the seat previously occupied by Forestry Commission Scotland prior to the re-structuring of the public forestry sector, and the vacant seat created by sportscotland’s decision to move from full to corresponding membership. This was approved by the NAF. Within ‘other bodies’, all six existing full members had confirmed that they wished to remain as full members, meaning there were no vacancies. As a consequence, the recommendation was that the Association of Heads of Outdoor Education Centres and the Scottish Countryside Ranger Association, who had both expressed interest in becoming full members, would remain as corresponding members. This was approved by the NAF and both organisations were advised that they should liaise with relevant full members to ensure their feedback is given to the NAF.  
     
20. As noted in the paper, the NAF Secretary is still trying to establish up to date contact information for a small number of organisations. Members were asked to pass any suggested points of contacts for these organisations to the secretary. The membership review is now concluded. Please see updated membership list: National Access Forum - Current Members (April 2023)

Item 8 - Forthcoming meetings & agenda items

• NAF / LAF virtual meeting – 26th April
• NAF meeting - Wednesday 7 June 2023 – Hybrid format with in-person attendees at Battleby
• NAF meeting - Wednesday 20 September 2023 – Hybrid format with in-person attendees at Battleby 
• NAF meeting – Wednesday 7 February 2024 – location TBC 

21. As above, if alternative phraseology around “access-takers” is agreed by correspondence before June it can be taken out of committee. If not, it will be discussed at the June NAF meeting. Other June items:

• Forestry planning and how best to minimise impacts on access
• GB-wide eMTB study published 19 January by British Cycling
• Progress report from the deer and access management sub-group

Item 9 - AOB

22. The issue of wild camping in Dartmoor was raised with little discussion. Alan Dron thanked the NAF and the other working and sub-groups. Stephen Reeves from Scottish Countryside Rangers Association expressed thanks for inclusion in the meeting and was encouraged by all the positive feedback surrounding rangers.

Summary Action Points

AP 59/1: Members to consult with their organisations/representative areas to seek views on the use of the phrase “access takers”, whether the NAF should provide guidance, confirm suggested or propose better terminology and to send comments or proposed new terminology to NAFsec before the June meeting. 

AP 59/2: Resources for access sub-group to progress and co-ordinate work on the agreed actions that seek to increase awareness of the value of Scotland’s outdoors for public access and recreation and promote the case for funding to maximise this potential.

AP 59/3: The NAF/LAF event planning group to plan the spring virtual meeting and circulate details to LAF Chairs, Local Authority Access teams, and full NAF members as soon as possible.