At the start of the summer recess, we launched an open consultation to seek the views of a range of stakeholders on the principle of whether some members of national park and Broads Authorities should be directly elected.

Currently, the majority of the national park authorities’ membership comprises local authority and parish councillors selected by their respective councils, with the remainder being appointed by the Secretary of State in recognition of the national interest. This combination of members seems to be working well. The Broads Authority has a different membership structure under its own primary legislation to reflect the broads’ navigational interest.

Nevertheless, we are aware of alternative solutions elsewhere in the UK—in particular in Scotland. The Committee scrutinising the Broads Authority Private Bill recommended that the case for directly elected members on the Authority should be re-evaluated. In response, my predecessor announced that the Government would seek stakeholder views on whether direct elections would be appropriate for all English national park and Broads Authorities. Simultaneously, we have also taken this opportunity to consult on whether there should be any parish members on the Broads Authority.

The consultation continues, and its supporting documents are available on DEFRA’s website, until 28 November 2008.