To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what forecast he has made of the annual cost to the public purse of the inshore fisheries and conservation authorities proposed under the Marine and Coastal Access Bill. (281498)

Over 2009-11, one-off costs related to implementation of the reform package will be made available. This will be in the region of £1.6 million based on current estimates. In addition, the establishment of Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCAs) will result in an estimated additional financial burden on constituent local authorities of approximately £5 million per year. This will include expenditure on:

(i) effective management of estuarine and coastal areas that have previously been subject to low intervention;

(ii) enhanced byelaw making procedures, including improved evidence-based decision making and consultation on impact assessments;

(iii) increased monitoring, inspection and enforcement (including more enforcement officers); and

(iv) improved staff training and development.

A consultation setting out options for establishing future IFC district boundaries and the local authorities that will fall within the districts closed on 22 April and the Government intend to publish its response this summer. The outcome of the consultation will help inform what changes need to be made and their associated costs. Officials will work closely with Sea Fisheries Committees and local authorities to quantify the changes necessary.