Caroline Nokes

With this it will be convenient to discuss the following: New clause 2—Marine Spatial Planning: coordination— “In relation to any decisions made about marine spatial priorities, the Crown Estate must— (a) ensure that the decisions are coordinated with the priorities of the Marine Maritime Organisation, and (b) consult any communities or industries impacted by the plans, including fishing communities.” Marine plans guide marine use and regulation for sustainable development, balancing the environment, economy, and society. This new clause ensures the Crown Estate collaborates with DEFRA's Marine Spatial Prioritisation through the MMO, using its expertise to inform decisions, preventing conflicts of interest from its new borrowing and investment powers. New clause 3—Sustainable development: community benefits— “(1) Before making any investment decision, the Commissioners must assess— (a) plans for community benefits for local communities, and (b) plans for community benefits for coastal communities of offshore activities. (2) In section 3(1) of the Crown Estate Act 1961, at end insert— ‘(1A) The Commissioners must transfer at least 5 per cent of all net profit generated from the Crown Estate’s activities to local communities impacted by those activities.’” This new clause would require the Commissioners to ensure their activities benefit local communities, including coastal communities, and that 5% of any profits would be transferred to local communities. New clause 4—Devolution of Crown Estate powers to Wales— “(1) The Crown Estate Act 1961 is amended as follows. (2) After section 7 (powers of Minister of Works in Regent’s Park) insert— ‘7A Commissioners’ functions in Wales (1) The Treasury must set out a scheme to transfer all the existing Welsh functions of the Crown Estate Commissioners (“the Commissioners”) to the Welsh Ministers or a person nominated by Welsh Ministers. (2) The existing Welsh functions under subsection (1) are the Commissioners’ functions relating to the part of the Crown Estate that, immediately before the transfer date, consists of— (a) property, rights or interests in land in Wales, and (b) rights in relation to the Welsh zone. (3) The Secretary of State must by regulations set a date to implement the scheme under subsection (1) to the transfer of functions to the Welsh Ministers or a person nominated by Welsh Ministers. (4) A statutory instrument containing regulations under subsection (3) is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.’” This new clause would require the Treasury to devolve Welsh functions of the Crown Estate Commissioners to Welsh Ministers or a person nominated by Welsh Ministers. New clause 5—Limit on the disposal of assets— “After section 3 of the Crown Estate Act 1961, insert— ‘3A Limit on the disposal of assets (1) The Commissioners must inform the Treasury if the disposal of assets of the Crown Estate will be of a value totalling 10% or more of the Crown Estate’s total assets in a single year. (2) The Treasury must approve of any disposal of assets above the threshold in subsection (1) and the Chancellor of the Exchequer must lay a report before Parliament within 28 days of being notified by the Commissioners.’” This new clause requires the Crown Estate Commissioners to notify and seek HM Treasury approval for the disposal of assets totalling 10% or more of the Crown Estate’s total assets. New clause 6—Partnership agreement: the Crown Estate and Great British Energy— “The Chancellor of the Exchequer must lay before Parliament any partnership agreement between the Crown Estate and Great British Energy.” This new clause requires the Chancellor of the Exchequer to lay before Parliament any partnership agreement between the Crown Estate and Great British Energy. Amendment 1, clause 1, page 1, line 26, at end insert— “(3) The Treasury must by regulations limit borrowing to a net debt to asset value ratio of no more than 25 per cent. (4) A statutory instrument containing regulations under subsection (3) may not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.” This amendment would limit the amount the Commissioners may borrow by regulations. Amendment 4, page 1, line 26, at end insert— “(3) The Chancellor of the Exchequer must limit borrowing by the Crown Estate under this section by regulations made by statutory instrument, and these regulations may not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament. (4) The first set of regulations made under subsection (3) must limit borrowing to a net debt to asset value ratio of no more than 25 per cent.” This amendment would limit the amount the Commissioners may borrow by regulations subject to the affirmative procedure for statutory instruments. Amendment 2, clause 3, page 2, line 17, at end insert— “(3B) Any framework document published by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Crown Estate and the Commissioners must define ‘sustainable development’ for the purposes of this Act. (3C) The definition under subsection (3B) must include reference to a climate and nature duty. (3D) A ‘climate and nature duty’ means a duty to achieve any targets set out under Part 1 of the Climate Change Act 2008 or under sections 1 to 3 of the Environment Act 2021.” This amendment would ensure that this act’s Framework Agreement must define “sustainable development”, and that the definition must include reference to a climate and nature duty. Amendment 3, page 2, line 17, at end insert— “(3B) In pursuit of the objective under subsection 3A, the Commissioners must assess the adequacy of protections against coastal erosion in areas affected by their offshore activities.” This amendment would require the Commissioners to assess the protections against coastal erosion in areas where landfall is made for offshore projects. Amendment 5, page 2, line 17, at end insert— “(3B) In keeping the impact of their activities under review, the Commissioners must have regard to― (a) the United Kingdom’s Net Zero targets; (b) regional economic growth; and (c) ensuring resilience in respect of energy security.” This new sub-section would require the Crown Estate Commissioners, in reviewing the impact of their activities on the achievement of sustainable development, to have specific regard to the United Kingdom’s Net Zero targets, regional economic growth, and resilience in respect of energy security.