Lead Member – Councillor Stuart West – Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture

Report of the Director of Place and Enterprise

Contact: George Candler   Tel: 01743 255003

RESOLVED:

i)              That, subject to the satisfactory conclusion of all necessary due diligence work, Cabinet: 

1.    Supports the proposal to create an independent Conservation Board as a new structure for the management of the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

2.    Delegates authority to the Director of Places and Enterprise to make a joint formal application with Telford & Wrekin Council throughthe AONB Partnership to Defra, requesting that Defra draft the Parliamentary Establishment Order required under the Countryside & Rights of Way Act (2000) to create a new Conservation Board. 

3.    Delegates authority to the Director of Places and Enterprise and Head of Finance, Governance & Assurance to progress practical, legal, Board composition, financial and other formalities in consultation with the respective Portfolio Holders.

ii)            That a further report be received, subsequent to Defra’s informal consultation with stakeholders and all necessary due diligence work and formalities, with further reports as appropriate before the finalisation of the Legal Order confirming the creation of a Conservation Board.

The Portfolio Holder for Adults, Councillor L Chapman, left the meeting during consideration of this item.

The Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture presented a report by the Director of Place and Enterprise detailing the business case for the future structure of the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty [AONB] organisation as an independent Conservation Board.           

RESOLVED:

i)      That, subject to the satisfactory conclusion of all necessary due diligence work, Cabinet: 

1.    Supports the proposal to create an independent Conservation Board as a new structure for the management of the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

2.    Delegates authority to the Director of Places and Enterprise to make a joint formal application with Telford & Wrekin Council throughthe AONB Partnership to Defra, requesting that Defra draft the Parliamentary Establishment Order required under the Countryside & Rights of Way Act (2000) to create a new Conservation Board. 

3.    Delegates authority to the Director of Places and Enterprise and Head of Finance, Governance & Assurance to progress practical, legal, Board composition, financial and other formalities in consultation with the respective Portfolio Holders.

ii)     That a further report be received, subsequent to Defra’s informal consultation with stakeholders and all necessary due diligence work and formalities, with further reports as appropriate before the finalisation of the Legal Order confirming the creation of a Conservation Board.