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Consultation on Direct Elections to English National Park and Broads Authorities

Huw Irranca-Davies (Minister for Marine and Natural Environment) announced his decision following the consultation on the principle of Direct Elections to the Authorities and Parish Council Members on the Broads Authority which closed on 28 November 2008.

In a Written Ministerial Statement issued on 16 July, on the issue of Direct Elections  to the National Park Authorities, the Minister said, “I have been impressed with the range of community engagement that already occurs, and having carefully considered the responses I have decided not to make any changes to the current membership arrangements. I am proposing ways of improving the accountability of the National Park Authorities and to more consistently apply some of the examples of best practice across all Parks”.

On the issue of appointing Parish members to the Broads Authority, the Minister said, “ whilst there was some support for these appointments this should not be at the expense of a reduction in the existing categories of membership. Although I am not in favour of adding parish council members to the Broads Authority at this time, I am prepared to reconsider the matter if local government restructuring meant that there was a need in any case to revise the Broads Authority’s membership”.

Further information

Page last modified: 16 July 2009
Page published: 22 April 2009