Tim Allen, 55, is leading a British Caving Association (BCA) campaign to get the Countryside and Rights of Way (Crow) Act 2000 extended to include caves
martinr said:Tim Allen, 55, is leading a British Caving Association (BCA) campaign to get the Countryside and Rights of Way (Crow) Act 2000 extended to include caves
BCA campaigning for CROW to apply to caving? So does that mean the BCA constitution was changed when I wasn't looking? Just asking, I've not been following the CROW debate for a while.
Cookie said:No it hasn't been changed.
In fact the BCA interpretation of the Constitution was clarified at the 2015 AGM when it passed the following motion with virtually everybody voting in favour.
"This meeting confirms that the Constitution allows BCA to seek clarification from DEFRA and Natural England on their existing guidance on The CRoW Act and its application to caving."
I believe this doesn't allow the National Council to pursue a very public campaign.
Whether you are pro CRoW or not, it must be a serious concern that the National Council is not following the will of the AGM.
I would like to hear Councils justification and intend to raise this at the next Council meeting.
Beardy said:Hang on a minute -
I suspect that the 1402 people that voted yes to the poll which asked
"Should BCA, on your behalf, campaign for The Countryside and Rights of Way Act to apply to going underground?"
Would actually want to get what they voted for - and would be somewhat annoyed with the gerrymandering that appears to be being tried by those with sour grapes over the issue.
I suspect that the numbers of cavers that voted in this recent poll were several factors greater than those that installed the constitution. The constitution should be changed asap in line with the majorities view.
Beardy said:I suspect that the numbers of cavers that voted in this recent poll were several factors greater than those that installed the constitution. The constitution should be changed asap in line with the majorities view.
Cookie said:Until the Constitution is changed this motion set out the limit of what the AGM thought possible in trying to satisfy the wish of the membership.
complex said:It seems that the government's position is unchanged, and was clearly re-stated yesterday in a written answer to a question from a member of Parliament:
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2016-03-18.31768.h
"Section 2(1) of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 provides for a right of access on foot for the purposes of open-air recreation to land which has been mapped as open country (mountain, moor, heath and down) and registered common land. The Government has no plans to extend the definition of mapped land under that Act to apply to caves."