§ Mr. Clifton-BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what public consultation will take place before a decision is taken on whether or not to establish a conservation board for the Cotswold area of outstanding natural beauty; what estimate he has made of the possible cost of such a board; what benefits he expects will result; and how local democratic accountability will be maintained if such a board is established. [114850]
§ Alun MichaelBefore making an Order to establish a Conservation Board, the Secretary of State must statutorily consult the Countryside Agency and every local authority with land in the AONB for their formal consent.
I am currently considering establishing Conservation Boards in the Cotswolds and Chilterns Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and in addition to formal requirements Defra has held a 12-week informal consultation on the draft Order, ending on 30 May. Consultees include all constituent local authorities and parishes, the Countryside Agency and 113W organisations with a direct interest in the board. The informal consultation documents are available from the Department"s website and are in the House Library.
Where a Conservation Board is created, there will be some one-off costs, to be met by the Countryside Agency. As to on-going costs there will be swings and roundabouts. One issue is that boards will not be able to recover Value Added Tax payments. I am exploring ways in which the impact of this might be reduced.
The Government have taken the view that a Conservation Board will be of most benefit to larger AONBs where it would be a focus for conservation and promotion activity, would provide more efficient management and would have an increased potential to attract funding.
At least 60 per cent. of a board"s membership must be drawn from constituent local authorities and parishes. The Secretary of State, will appoint the remaining members, through open competition.