Commons Bill [HL]

It may help the noble Lord if put on the record that the functions of local access forums, established under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act, include advising local authorities on the improvement of public access to land for the purposes of open-air recreation and enjoyment of the area. Should the forum consider it appropriate, this could include advising on the use of enforcement powers. We will consider very carefully, as part of the current review of the powers of the forums, whether their advisory function should be extended to any other bodies. The review will also consider whether it would be desirable to issue guidance to forums on the subject of enforcement against unlawful works on commons. I should like to write to the noble Lord on the detail of the more discrete point he raised about golf courses.