Agenda item

The Chief Executive presented the report which was to inform Members of the Authority the  proposal to write to the Secretary of State to emphasise the Authority’s willingness to support potential governance changes by suggesting a reduction in the number of Members, and for the Authority to have more of a say in the way Members are appointed which could allow for more diversity.

Currently the Peak District National Park Authority has the highest number of Members compared to other National Parks and the government is looking at reducing the number, so the Authority needs to be on the front foot with any proposed changes. 

Members agreed that the Authority did have a high number of Members, but that they were all there for a reason, which was to work for the benefit of the National Park collectively, and the current membership had a lot to offer.

There was a concern from some Members that if the numbers were reduced, there would need to be a review of committee functions. There was concern by some Members on the effect this could have on planning which is one of our statutory functions. 

Members felt that if the Authority was to set down principles on how Members were appointed, then it needed to look at conflicting interests and be clear on how they were going to be addressed.  If you picked out just one element (e.g. diversity) and do not understand how the rest of the interests are going to be accommodated, then the Authority could get into some difficulty.

Some Members were concerned that local communities would not be supported if local authorities combined, thus reducing the number of Members on the Authority.  There was a need for Parish Members which provided a local voice.  There was also some concern on the idea of co-opted Members as it was unclear on what the Authority had in mind.  If someone was interested in being a Member, then they should be encouraged to apply to the Secretary of State.

Members proposed that recommendation 2 of the report be deleted and that the draft letter to the Secretary of State be brought back to Members at a future Authority Meeting prior to it being sent.

The Chief Executive thanked the Members for their feedback and confirmed that the draft letter would be brought back to Members at a future Authority meeting.  He would also speak to DEFRA to see if they would be able to attend the next Authority meeting.

The recommendation, subject to the deletion of recommendation 2 was moved and seconded, put to the vote and carried.

RESOLVED:

1.    That a representation is made to the Secretary of State setting out the Authority’s support for a reduction in the number of Members the Peak District National Park Authority has and changes in the ways in which Members are appointed.