All Local Authorities and National Park Authorities were required under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 ('CRoW Act') to establish a Local Access Forum to provide strategic advice on 'the improvement of public access to land in that area for the purposes of open air recreation and the enjoyment of the area, and as to such other matters as may be prescribed'. The membership of this group must be balanced between different interests in the countryside so that it can provide well-argued unbiased advice. The Act requires Councils and Natural England to take the forums advice seriously.

On April 2010 Central Bedfordshire Council and Luton Borough Council established a joint forum due to the synergies between the two authorities and the significant growth agenda in the Central Bedfordshire  and Luton Borough Council areas. This forum is know as the 'Central Bedfordshire and Luton Joint Access Forum'.

• Perform a statutory duty to advise on the improvement of public access to land in Central Bedfordshire and Luton for the purposes of open-air recreation and enjoyment, as described in the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.
• Contribute in an advisory capacity to the development of the Rights of Way Improvement Plan(s) for Central Bedfordshire Council and Luton Borough Council.
• Promote the appropriate use of opportunities to enjoy the countryside, including appropriate use by people using cycles and walking with dogs.
• Advise upon the appropriate management and maintenance of access, balancing the provision of access against the needs of bio diversity, wildlife management and of land owners and managers.
• Advise on developing additional opportunities for everyone to enjoy the rights of way and access network, in particular for those with disabilities.
• Work to ensure that the necessary resources are available to fulfil forum aims and to deliver agreed improvements.

It is likely that the forum will often be discussing contentious issues and that their advice will be guide policies and actions of Central Bedfordshire Council and Luton Borough Council. Therefore, it is desirable that the forum contains a balance of ages, ethnicity and geographical locations across the appointing authority areas. It is also vital that the membership of the forum represents a wide range of interests and is balanced between the wish to increase access and the need to protect the landscape and its economic use. To ensure that is achieved, the councils as appointing bodies have agreed that the forum should include representation of the areas of interest listed:

• Walking
• Dog walking
• Cycling
• Equestrian (riding and driving)
• Motorised vehicles use
• Mobility access
• Ethnic minority groups
• Tourism
• Rural Business
• Conservation
• Countryside Sites ('Friends of' groups)
• Young people
• Sport/ Health
• Voluntary section/ P3
• Land-owning/ managing; up to six members, to include individuals and organisations
• Councillors; a maximum of one councillor from each of the two appointing authorities
• Chilterns area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, through the Chilterns Conservation Board.

Ability for each member to recognise the validity of the views of others and to seek consensus will be vital, as will independence from the views of any particular organisation.

In addition to members of the forum, observers may attend meetings and can comment but cannot vote; these will include officers from the authorities and Natural England, who are overseeing Local Access Forums across the country.  

The following process has been approved by all appointing authorities as appropriate.

a) Appointing authorities selection panel made up of relevant officers manages the process. This group follows all relevant regulation and guidelines to agree selection criteria, the contents of an application form, text for advertisement and for letters to all known contacts who may be interested in applying. Once the closing date has passed, the group examine the applications and make recommendations for membership of the Central Bedfordshire Council and Luton Joint Local Access Forum.

b) These recommendations from officers will be taken to the Assistant Directors of the relevant Directorates within the appointing authorities and the member form each of the appointing authorities. they will be assess the recommendations to ensure that the criteria for appointments have been adhered to and approve appointments.

c) Once the decision has been made, all applicants will be informed whether they have been successfully appointed to the forum or not.

The Forum meets approximately six times a year, usually mid week evenings but this is determined by the members themselves. Members will be expected to attend all meetings but must attend a minimum of three per year; membership should be for an initial period of one to three years, and may be renewed. Members will be expected to actively seek the views of the interest groups (not just one organisation) they are linked with and to spread news of the work of the Forum.