Member

The Crown Estate must therefore have regard to the way in which it goes about its business in Wales. It must have regard to the charges it imposes, for example, on Welsh local authorities for accessing the coastline adjacent to those authorities’ own territory. It must surely be expected to make its case to the Welsh Government as to how its activities bring benefit to Wales, and it should work on that agenda to ensure that transpires. The appointment of such a commissioner either has such implications or does not. If it does not, it will be seen as an empty gesture, a sop to sentiment in Wales with no meaningful value. But if it is indeed a step in the right direction on which we can build, as I believe it is, it can be of real benefit to Wales.