Democratising National Park Authorities
DEFRA is currently consulting on proposals to introduce directly elected members ot National Park authroities in England (they have already been introduced in Scotland). Responses need to be returned to DEFRA by 28th November. Liberals must surely support this idea. I am a Paish Councillor in a National Park and it is a matter of frustrateion and injustice that people who live in National aprks have planning decisions mad for them by such an unaccountable and only partly indrectly elected body. Here are some good reasons for electing members of NPAs directly: 1. There is a real democratic deficit and unaccountability to voters in National Parks. NPA decisions (for example, here in the Peak District) impact our lives daily. Those who make the decisions should be accountable to the electorate in their areas. 2. NPA membership is hugely unrepresentative- for example, over 66% of members are men 3. NPAs include appointees of central government with particular expertise. other members are leected from among local councils and principal authorities. But there is no real accountability to these bodies. What you can do about it- if you are a local (parish/town/community) councillor , or on a District or County Council in a National Park- ensure that your Council responds to this consultation- move a motion if necessary to get it debated- my Parish Councilill discuss it next week. Send me a message if you woudl like a draft response for debate- give me your e-mail address and I will forward it.
DEFRA is currently consulting on proposals to introduce directly elected members ot National Park authroities in England (they have already been introduced in Scotland). Responses need to be returned to DEFRA by 28th November. Liberals must surely support this idea. I am a Paish Councillor in a National Park and it is a matter of frustrateion and injustice that people who live in National aprks have planning decisions mad for them by such an unaccountable and only partly indrectly elected body. Here are some good reasons for electing members of NPAs directly: 1. There is a real democratic deficit and unaccountability to voters in National Parks. NPA decisions (for example, here in the Peak District) impact our lives daily. Those who make the decisions should be accountable to the electorate in their areas. 2. NPA membership is hugely unrepresentative- for example, over 66% of members are men 3. NPAs include appointees of central government with particular expertise. other members are leected from among local councils and principal authorities. But there is no real accountability to these bodies. What you can do about it- if you are a local (parish/town/community) councillor , or on a District or County Council in a National Park- ensure that your Council responds to this consultation- move a motion if necessary to get it debated- my Parish Councilill discuss it next week. Send me a message if you woudl like a draft response for debate- give me your e-mail address and I will forward it.