Governance consultation

Consultation on the Governance arrangements for the National Parks and the Broads

Defra’s draft Structural Reform Plan published on 16 July 2010 delivers the coalition agreement commitment ‘to review the governance arrangements of National Parks in order to increase local accountability’.

Although the majority of the National Park Authorities have broadly similar governance arrangements, the most effective way to undertake the Review is for each Authority to consult locally on potential changes which would work best for their areas, whilst at the same time reflecting the status of the Parks as national assets. This consultation does not therefore contain proposals for any particular structures or arrangements.

The Government wishes to retain an independent authority, as currently exists, for each of the National Parks and the Broads. It intends that these authorities (“the NPAs”) should continue to be the local planning authority for their areas.

Review's purpose

The purpose of the Review is to:

a. look for ways in which the governance of the NPAs can be made more effective;

b. 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

c. consider the extent to which different arrangements are appropriate for different NPAs.

Key questions the Review should seek responses on:

a. whether the membership of NPAs, both the size and composition, should be changed

b. whether the selection process for all categories of members of NPAs can be improved

c. whether there should be a limit on the length of time which local authority and parish members can serve, and a reduction in the maximum term for the Secretary of State ‘national’ members (currently 10 years).

d. whether the current membership and structure of consultative committees, groups and forums can be strengthened so as to better achieve ‘Big Society’ benefits

e. what additional measures NPAs can take to strengthen the links and engagement with their local communities on a variety of issues including planning

f. whether there are any other ways in which the NPAs can improve their effectiveness and accountability

The public consultation ran from 9 Nov 2010 - Feb 1 2011. During this period, consultation responses were received by Defra and by each National Park Authority. Any responses sent to Defra, with comments regarding an individual National Park, were then sent to that National Park Authority.

What’s next?

The outcome of the review was a wide range of improvements in the way that National Park authorities (NPAs) operate. Some of these relate to individual NPAs and some are general; some can be carried out under existing powers and others need new legislation. Others build on existing good practice by NPAs. In particular, there are five areas of development requiring changes to primary legislation which the Government proposes to make by use of an Order-making power in the Public Bodies Act 2011.

Defra is currently inviting views on these proposed changes to primary legislation through use of a Public Bodies Act Order.

Have your say

The latest consultation details are available to view at: Defra – Consultation on the Governance arrangements for National Parks (opens in new window)

Please send your replies no later than 31 May 2012 by email to:
governance.consultation@defra.gov.uk

or alternatively by post to:

Governance Consultation
Customer Contact Unit
Defra
Nobel House
17 Smith Square
London SW1P 3JR

More information

Responses to the first round of consultation (9 Nov 2010 - 1 Feb 2911) specific to the Lake District include:

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