§ Mr. Clifton-BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to ensure that parish representation on the proposed Cotswold Conservation Board accurately reflects the geographical spread of parishes within the area of outstanding natural beauty. [117610]
§ Alun MichaelThe Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 requires at least 20 per cent. of the total membership of an AONB Conservation Board to be drawn from the constituent parishes for that area.
This Department is currently considering the responses to an informal consultation on a draft Establishment Order for a Cotswolds Conservation Board, which would include eight parish members. The draft Order provides for a single parish member to be elected from each of eight groupings of parishes so as to provide the widest possible geographical representation. These proposals take account of discussions with the Cotswold Partnership and each parish in the Cotswolds has been consulted on them.