BlueSky

Thanks to Paladin for attaching a copy of the judgment. I hadn't figured out how to do that yet. At para 3 the judge said, Quote The claim for judicial review challenges a resolution of the Authority passed on 23 January 2015 by which the Authority decided inter alia “that the brand “Broads National Park” be adopted for marketing related purposes…”. Unquote And at para 113, Quote …the claim for judicial review is dismissed.” Unquote In essence, this was because, as stated by the judge at para 91, Quote In my judgment the branding decision taken by the Authority cannot be regarded as having any misleading effect as to the statutory functions of either the Broads or the Authority and no abuse of power has occurred. Unquote BUT in my opinion paragraph 82 is particularly interesting in showing that in coming to this view, the judge took into account that: Quote it is not suggested that the Authority’s decision was misleading as regards the status of the Authority itself. The decision challenged does not involve the Authority holding itself out to be a National Park Authority. Unquote In his judgment, any failings of the National Parks UK website were excused as the work of a third party. Para 90 reads in part, “the website has been produced by a separate organisation…”, and, “whether or not the Authority has power to use the Broads National Park as a marketing brand cannot depend upon errors of this kind on the website of a third party.” As drawn attention to in my previous post, the National Parks UK website now shows that it holds out the Broads Authority as a National Park Authority. Further, Yare House is now the correspondence address of National Parks UK. Does anyone truly believe the Broads Authority have no involvement in this? Or is it more likely that the Broads Authority itself is now pushing the envelope and indeed holding itself out to be a National Park Authority? If so, why? Just asking. Of course I should previously have said “hi” to everyone. Apologies….

Has anyone else looked at the National Parks UK website recently? Not only is the Broads described as a National Park (perhaps no surprise there) but there is a clear implication that the BA is a National Park Authority. The "About us" section contains the following. QUOTE: There are 15 National Parks in the United Kingdom and each one is looked after by its own authority. We work together as National Parks UK. There are 10 National Parks in England, 3 in Wales and 2 in Scotland, they are: England - Broads, Dartmoor, Exmoor, Lake District, New Forest, Northumberland, North York Moors, Peak District, Yorkshire Dales, and South Downs. Wales - Brecon Beacons, Pembrokeshire Coast, and Snowdonia Scotland - Cairngorms and Loch Lomond & the Trossachs. ……………………………. …………………………... National Parks UK National Parks UK brings together the 15 National Park Authorities in the UK to raise the profile of the National Parks and to promote joint working. Country associations for the English and Welsh national parks represent the national park authorities to English and Welsh governments. Advised by the 15 National Park Authority chief executives, the chairmen and convenors of the 15 National Park Authorities work together to share experience and manage joint training projects, public relations activities and special events. National Parks UK employs three members of staff and secondees from the National Parks to work on projects as required. National Parks UK is not a lobbying body, nor does it seek to speak on behalf of the family of 15 National Parks. Its key roles include: Engaging with the public and answering queries about National Parks as a group Promoting the National Parks as special places National Parks UK also: Promotes the 15 National Parks in the UK as beacons for sustainable development Helps raise their profile and deepen the public's understanding and relevance of these protected landscapes Facilitates training and development for National Park Authority members and staff Fosters closer working with the growing international family of protected landscapes Contact National Parks UK: Email: pressoffice@nationalparks.uk Yare House 62-64 Thorpe Rd Norwich NR1 1RY UNQUOTE We all know that the Broads can be called a National Park for marketing purposes, but calling the Broads Authority a National Park Authority to my mind crosses the boundary to mendacious propaganda. As far as I am aware there is no legal basis whatsoever for this claim (and in fact the opposite). Interesting that National Parks UK now share an address with the BA. Although I never liked the BA playing fast and loose with the English language, I always harboured a doubt as to whether there was truly an ulterior motive. No more.