Archived decisions

Contact: Merrick Denton-Thompson, ext 6826

1. Summary

1.1 The attached paper by the Chichester Harbour Conservancy discusses current and proposed arrangements for the management of Chichester Harbour Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the light of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.

1.2 The following decisions are sought:

(i) That the Executive Member, on behalf of Hampshire County Council, supports the proposal for the production of a new Chichester Harbour Management Plan by the Chichester Harbour Conservancy on Hampshire County Council's behalf.

(ii) That Hampshire County Council enters into a Memorandum of Agreement with the Conservancy for it to act as the management body for the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, subject to the management plan being approved by the County Council.

(iii) That agreement be given for the Conservancy to receive core funding for the preparation and implementation of the management plan from the Countryside Agency, accepting that the precept will at least remain constant and linked to inflation.

(iv) That the Chichester Harbour Conservancy be urged to keep its precept within inflation limits over the next few years.

(v) That a meeting of County Council representatives on the Conservancy be held shortly to brief them on the management plan and the financial situation relating to the Conservancy.

2. Reason

2.1 To discharge the new obligation for Hampshire County Council to prepare a management plan for the Chichester Harbour Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty as set out in the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 That the County Planning Officer prepares the management plan for the Harbour Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in conjunction with West Sussex County Council and the Conservancy. Rejected, as this would require additional resources on top of the existing precept paid by the County Council.

4. Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Decision Maker or a Member or Officer consulted - Not applicable.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - Not applicable.

6. Reason(s) for the Matter being dealt with if Urgent - Not applicable.

Approved by: Date:

Councillor J Waddington

6683/MD-T