Could we be ELECTING the Broads Authority in the future ?

[Lucky]

On the Broads Authority website today:-

Government decides Broads Authority will retain current governance arrangements

The Broads Authority will retain its current membership and procedures for appointment following a Government review of the governance of national park authorities.

A consultation was published by the Government in November 2010 which asked whether the selection process, and membership, both size and composition, of national park authorities could be improved.

In an announcement today the Minister responsible for national parks, Richard Benyon MP, has indicated that the existing system will remain in the Broads. However, two National Parks – the New Forest and the Peak District – will trial a system of direct elections from 2013. If the pilot proves successful other parks could begin electing people to their boards from 2017.

Chairman of the Broads Authority Stephen Johnson said: “Local responses to the Government’s recent consultation did not give wholehearted support to the idea of local elections, and questioned their practicality and cost. The Government has clearly taken this on board. However, we will follow with interest the trials of direct elections by the New Forest and the Peak District which follow the Scottish model for national park authorities. â€

When the Broads Authority considered the matter of direct elections in 2008 it supported the principle but was concerned that the narrow boundary drawn around the Broads posed difficulties, not least in defining who should form the electorate. There are approximately 6,370 people living in the Broads, of whom about 5,600 are adults eligible to vote. However, a tight definition of the boundary would exclude important settlements adjacent to the Broads, such as Beccles and Bungay in Suffolk, Wroxham and Hoveton and Acle, whose population has an interest in the area. These areas are currently represented on the Authority by appointments of Members from the six district councils and two county councils.

The Broads Authority currently has 21 members, nine appointed by the eight local authorities within the Authority’s executive area, ten are Secretary of State appointees and two are appointed from the Navigation Committee.

The Government now plans to consult on the length of service for members of national park authorities. It is recommending a maximum service of eight years. Currently Broads Authority members serve for 10 and those appointed by the local authorities do not have a maximum term. The chair of each national park authority will also now be required to produce an annual report assessing the collective performance of members.

[Antares_9]

Stop saying national park Luke, the PBs will be after you.

[Lucky]

[wayneakp]

We'll vote for you Luke

[mbird]

Lets all vote Luke and Gav as the new committee!!!!

[Lucky]

I think it's more up Gav's street than mine - don't think I would fit in very well !!

[senator]

I read it as the BA have given themselves a huge pat on the back and called a meeting, with tea and expensive chocolate biscuits, to discus how they can ingratiate themselves to their next employer (probably Network Rail) over the next few years of undisturbed rule.

Or is that just me being cynical?

[wayneakp]

I think it's more up Gav's street than mine - don't think I would fit in very well !!

Not fitting in is exactly what we need Luke! A breath of fresh air would not go ammiss

Anyhow I think Gav would be more suited to the diplomatic corps

[Lucky]

Well, as you well know, Gav applied to be on the Navigation Committee and they haven't even had the courtesy to reply to him !!

I think I saw a note the other day saying that Mr Knight will be on there - but I might have got that wrong.... perhaps Eddie may pop on to clarify...

[littlesprite]

Just because something is elected doesn't make it better, the Government and local council being two examples. Sometimes they spend more time trying to get elected rather than worry about doing anything useful.

[Lucky]

[Guest DAYTONA-BILL]

Just because something is elected doesn't make it better, the Government and local council being two examples. Sometimes they spend more time trying to get elected rather than worry about doing anything useful.

While i would agree with that, i will add, if you`re not happy with the way an elected authority is running things, YOU as an individual have the rite to vote for somebody else who you think has a better idea, and YOU will have the rite to stand for election on the preface of making things better by the way you see it. The big problem is, IF they BA management comittee is to be elected, will the general public be able to stand for election, or will you only be able to elect from a group of (political?) appointees, and who will be entitled to vote, and as pointed out above, where will they set the electoral boundries?. I`ve said many times that the BA should be an elected Authority, but that will only be any good if EVERYBODY is entitled to stand for election. One other thing to think about is how would you make it work?. Political elections are for a "party" who have an agreed agenda, as well as an agreed leader, whereas the BA is a very small authority, which probably could`nt justify the expense and beaurocracy of a party system. How do people think it could be done, anybody got any ideas?.

[littlesprite]

While i would agree with that, i will add, if you`re not happy with the way an elected authority is running things, YOU as an individual have the rite to vote for somebody else who you think has a better idea, and YOU will have the rite to stand for election on the preface of making things better by the way you see it. The big problem is, IF they BA management comittee is to be elected, will the general public be able to stand for election, or will you only be able to elect from a group of (political?) appointees, and who will be entitled to vote, and as pointed out above, where will they set the electoral boundries?. I`ve said many times that the BA should be an elected Authority, but that will only be any good if EVERYBODY is entitled to stand for election. One other thing to think about is how would you make it work?. Political elections are for a "party" who have an agreed agenda, as well as an agreed leader, whereas the BA is a very small authority, which probably could`nt justify the expense and beaurocracy of a party system. How do people think it could be done, anybody got any ideas?.

I think you have just highlighted the problem, you can only vote for the people that stand, are put up, for election.

Also, if you have boat but live outside the area? will you pay tolls whilst not having a vote?