National Parks a sore on the face of democracy

5.00.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 12th Dec 2007

The scandalously undemocratic representation of residents within Welsh National Park Authorities continues; with an absence of directly elected members and councillors whose wards are outside Park boundaries sitting upon Park boards.

"It is shocking that within a supposedly democratically advanced society we are still seeing such an undemocratic system. National Parks may be areas of outstanding beauty in Wales but they are a sore on the face of democracy." said Kirsty Williams AM for Brecon & Radnorshire, who represents residents of the Brecon Beacons National Park.

"Those sitting upon Park boards have a huge influence upon the lives of those living within the Park - they have a statutory duty to foster the economic and social well-being of the communities living within the National Park whilst protecting the local environment and promoting it to visitors.

"Many residents come into direct contact with the park over planning issues and the park's decisions in this area can affect their own homes as well as the public services they use."

Following years of hard lobbying by the Welsh Liberal Democrats for a re-examination of the appointments made to National Park Authorities, the Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing has now issued a draft protocol on the selection of County Councillors as Members of National Parks. The protocol states; "Selection of Councillors with electoral wards some distance away - ie 25 miles or more - from the park should be avoided where possible."

Kirsty commented;" This does not go nearly far enough in addressing concerns about Park representation. It cannot be right that Councillors whose wards do not make up even a square meter of National Park land can sit upon its board and make decisions directly affecting people who spend the majority of their day to day lives living in and using services within the park.

"It is not good enough to simply suggest avoiding this practice - it must be ceased completely in order to ensure true representation."

Kirsty Williams AM has submitted a proposed Legislative Competence Order calling for the Assembly to seek powers to amend Schedule 7 of the Environment Act 1995, which deals with the membership, status and constitution of National Park Authorities.

Kirsty said "I am sorry that my LCO has not been drawn from the ballot today but I will continue to call for the power to change the rules in order to address public concern about the democratic deficit in allowing non-park ward councillors to sit on Park boards. This would begin the desperately needed move towards direct elections to National Parks in order to make Parks more accountable to the communities they serve."

Notes:

There are three national parks in Wales: Brecon Beacons National Park, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and Snowdonia National Park.

Ends/diwedd