Direct Elections To National Park Authorities

EDM number 347 in 2016-17, proposed by Timothy Farron on 18/07/2016.
Categorised under the topics of Countryside, Elections and Public administration.

That this House recognises the need to ensure that people who live and work in national park areas are properly represented on park authorities; notes that decisions of national park authorities affect a large number of residents, and understands that national park authorities are often the main planning authorities for people living in areas which fall within park boundaries; believes that park authority members being solely appointed does not give national parks sufficient democratic legitimacy given the considerable scope of their portfolios and means they are less in touch with the issues affecting those living in these areas; takes the view that an element of directly elected members would provide park authorities with a greater degree of credibility and democratic legitimacy, so that local residents can have greater control over the decisions that affect them and their areas; and urges the Government to reintroduce draft legislation providing for direct elections to national park authorities in England.

This motion has been signed by a total of 3 MPs.