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CAIRNGORMS LOCAL OUTDOOR ACCESS FORUM

Title: A review of the Operating Principles

Prepared by: Adam Streeter-Smith, Outdoor Access Officer

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to review the current Operating
Principles and seek advice from the Forum on proposed changes.

Advice Sought

The Forum is asked to consider the following specific questions:

a) How frequently should a review of the Forum take place and what form 
should the review take?
b) Do we wish to consider a new item stating that members should be 
encouraged to declare an interest in any of the items on the agenda?
c) Are Forum members content with the proposed wording?
d) Are there any further substantive changes required?
e) Is the Forum content with amendment 5g Appendix One that affirms 
the role of the Convenor and Vice Convenor in being responsible for 
the agenda?

Background
1. The Forum approved the Operating Principles in June 2005. These 
principles are important because they set out the role and remit of 
the Forum as well as how the Forum should operate.

2. The last review of the operation of the Forum, as per item 4 (c), 
was carried out by questionnaire in March 2007 with a paper presented to 
the August 2007 with the findings of the review. At that time there was 
a high degree of satisfaction in the way the Forum was functioning.

3. In the period between the last review and now there has been a 
substantial change in membership and it is timely that we revisit the
Operating Principles. It also provides an opportunity to address the 
comments and concerns raised after the LOAF meeting in February 2010. 
As the Communication Plan is an integral part of the Operating Principles 
it is timely to review it as well, as such it is included as appendix 2.

4. The process of updating the Operating Principles was started by the 
Convener and Vice Convener at a meeting held on the 25th of March 2010,
in Tomintoul, where discussion centred on where the Forum is now and its 
future direction? A file note of the meeting was circulated to all members.

5. There as a lapse in reviewing the progress of the Forum in 2009 so advice 
is now being sought on both the wording in the Operating Principles and nature 
of the review. The review in 2007 was a very valuable exercise and we would
favour carrying out another review in 2010 and biannually thereafter 
rather than an annual standing item. How frequently should a full review of 
the ForumÕs operation take place and what form should the review take?

6. There have been instances in the past where members have had a personal or
professional interest in a particular item. This has never been serious issue 
as the Forum is not making decisions, but generally providing advice. The current 
Operating Principles do not require members to declare this interest in a particular 
item. However, in the interests of transparency, and so that all members understand
what may lie behind what is said at meetings, it is suggested that at the start of 
each meeting an opportunity is provided so that members can highlight anything 
that they think might be relevant. Generally there should be no need for 
members to withdraw from any discussion but they may opt to do so if they feel
more comfortable. Do we wish to consider a new item stating that members should
be encouraged to declare an interest in any of the items on the agenda? 

7. The proposed wording for the item is Š In the interests of transparency 
and good governance Forum members are encouraged to declare any particular
interest they might have in an agenda item at the start of the meeting. 
Generally there should be no need for members to withdraw from discussions.
Are Forum members content with the proposed wording?
Are there any further substantive changes required?

Minor amendment
8. There is one minor amendment proposed to the Operating Principles 
(5 (g) Appendix 1) that affirms the role of the Convener and Vice Convener
in being responsible for the agenda.
Is the Forum content with the minor amendment?

Next steps
9. The next steps would be to revise and re-circulate Operating Principles and
to instigate a review of the operation of the Forum before the November meeting.

Adam Streeter-Smith
Outdoor Access Officer
May 11 2010