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CAIRNGORMS LOCAL OUTDOOR ACCESS FORUM

Title: Options for Biannual Event

Prepared by: Adam Streeter-Smith, Outdoor Access Officer

Purpose This paper presents a number of options on the format for a
Biannual Forum Event.

Advice Sought
The Forum is invited to consider the options proposed; consider 
whether other formats may be appropriate; and agree which one 
is to be pursued.

Background

1. Holding an event unlike the normal business meetings is an ideal 
way to involve the wider population of outdoor access interests in the 
work of the LOAF. They also present the best opportunity to showcase 
the work of the LOAF in tackling access issues.

2. The current Communications Plan indicates that, in addition to the 4 
business meetings a year, the LOAF and the Park Authority should host an
event on an outdoor access related theme.

3. Members of the public can still attend business meetings and seek
advice from the Forum but the opportunity these events pose is for 
more informal networking.

4. The last event was held in Braemar on the 27th September 2008. 
It was attended by 53 delegates and feedback from the event was largely 
positive although people felt they would have liked to learn more about 
the role of the Forum. The two previous events were held in Nethybridge
2007 and Strathdon 2006.

5. The Forum reflected on the event at the November 2008 meeting
and took the view that the next event should be:
o Biannual;
o An evening event;
o More focussed on the role of the LOAF; and
o More social in nature to encourage networking.

6. The Forum also thought that on balance the resources required to
organise and run a weekend day event outweighed the benefits of an 
event in that format.

Options

7. Reflecting on feedback from the Forum, as well as new ideas, 
five options are set out in Appendix 1 and the pros and cons for 
each is listed as well as an indication of the resources required. 
The Park Authority will work closely with Forum members in the organising 
of the event. The Forum is invited to consider the options proposed; 
consider whether other formats may be appropriate; and agree which one 
is to be pursued. 

Adam Streeter-Smith
Outdoor Access Officer
15/04/10