Archived decisions

REVIEW OF ENGLISH NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITIES : CONSULTATION RESPONSE

The Cabinet has commented in detail on the findings of the Government's review of National Park Authorities with particular reference to seven specific recommendations on which the Government focused attention. Several of these relate to relatively small-scale matters aimed at modernising the role of National Park Authorities and can - with qualification in some instances - be generally supported. However, the Cabinet has been concerned at proposals to increase the ratio of Secretary of State appointments on National Park Authorities thereby heralding a move away from the local authority arena towards becoming a set of national agents, and at the same time eroding the role of local democratic accountability. The Cabinet resents the apparent assumption that local democracy is unable to secure the future of national assets and in responding to the Government has pointed to the County Council's exemplary record in securing the environmental quality of the New Forest and South Downs.

5nR761102