Contacts: Stuart Jarvis, ext 6124 email: [email protected]

Rachael Bayliss, ext 6925 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decision was made:

That the following points form the basis of the County Council response to the Consultation on the Marine Bill White Paper:¹

(i) support for the introduction of a statutory system of marine planning, including plans in coastal areas where appropriate (eg the Solent);

(ii) that full recognition must be given to the important role that local authorities should play in marine planning at regional and sub-regional level, due to their involvement in land-based spatial planning, their representation of coastal communities and their democratic accountability;

(iii) support in principle for an integrated marine licensing regime that brings together all types of consents and licences for which Government departments are responsible into a single system;

(iv) support for proposals for Marine Conservation Zones and marine objectives; and

(v) notes the proposals for a new marine management organisation (MMO) with delivery of marine planning and licensing as its core functions, but considers:-

· there is a lack of democratic accountability in respect of the MMO remit and such accountability should be detailed into the governance arrangements for delivery of its core functions; and

· the County Council's view is that the delivery of some of the roles should be locally based, in line with the Government's commitment to local delivery and accountability, and that local authorities are well placed to support these objectives.

2. Reason

2.1 It is recommended that the County Council supports the proposals in the White Paper because the Marine Bill aims to introduce a system of marine planning for safety and security and protected marine areas for environmental enhancement.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected - None.

4. Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Decision Maker or Other Executive Member Consulted - None.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - None.

6. Reason(s) for the Matter being dealt with if Urgent - None.

Approved by: ..................................... Date: ...................................

Councillor T K Thornber CBE - Chairman

1349Decn/SJ/RB