Governance Arrangements for National Parks and the Broads
Consultation on the Governance Arrangements for the National Parks and the Broads
The Coalition Agreement contained a commitment ‘to review the governance arrangements of national parks in order to increase local accountability’. In November 2010 Defra launched a consultation document for the review, the aim of which was to :
- look for ways in which the governance of the national park authorities (NPAs) can be made more effective;
- look for ways in which the NPAs can be more responsive to the concerns of their local communities (whilst still operating within the existing statutory purposes and the Spending Review 2010 budgets); and
- consider the extent to which different arrangements are appropriate for different NPAs.
Following an extensive consultation the Broads Authority submitted its formal response to the consultation in February 2011. Defra has now issued its response to the submissions submitted by the Broads Authority and the NPAs.
The Government’s conclusion is that the Broads Authority should retain its current membership and procedures for appointment. However, two National Parks – the New Forest and the Peak District – will trial a system of direct elections from 2013. If the pilot proves successful other parks could begin electing people to their boards from 2017.
When the Broads Authority considered the matter of direct elections in 2008 it supported the principle but was concerned that the narrow boundary drawn around the Broads posed difficulties, not least in defining who should form the electorate. There are approximately 6,370 people living in the Broads, of whom about 5,600 are adults eligible to vote. However, a tight definition of the boundary would exclude important settlements adjacent to the Broads, such as Beccles and Bungay in Suffolk, Wroxham and Hoveton and Acle, whose population has an interest in the area. These areas are currently represented on the Authority by appointments of Members from the six district councils and two county councils.
The Government now plans to consult on the length of service for members of national park authorities. It is recommending a maximum service of eight years. Currently Broads Authority members serve for 10 and those appointed by the local authorities do not have a maximum term. The chair of each national park authority will also now be required to produce an annual report assessing the collective performance of members.
The links below set out:
• the Government’s responses to the proposals submitted by the Broads Authority and NPAs; (pdf document) [327kb]
• the Written Ministerial Statement by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Natural Environment and Fisheries, Richard Benyon MP; (pdf document) [62kb]
• Defra’s consultation document dated 9 November 2010; (word document) [140kb]
• the consultation letter from Defra dated 9 November 2010; (word document) [136kb]
• a list of formal consultees (word document) [35kb]
• the Broads Authority’s response to the consultation dated 17 February 2011. (pdf document) [92kb]
Copies of individual responses are available from the Broads Authority on request. An administrative charge may be made to cover postage and photocopying costs.
