To 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]

Before 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 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.