Overview

This bill proposes transferring marine licensing responsibilities from the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) to local authorities in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. This change aims to decentralize the management of marine activities.

Description

The Marine Activities (Licensing) Bill mandates the Secretary of State to create regulations transferring the marine licensing functions currently delegated to the MMO (by the Marine Licensing (Delegation of Functions) Order 2011) to local authorities. These regulations must:

• Specify which local authority is responsible for each area.
• Establish a process to determine the licensing authority when activities occur across multiple local authority areas.

The bill defines "licensable marine activity" as per the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009. Any new regulations require approval from both Houses of Parliament. The Secretary of State can also create further regulations to address any issues resulting from the transfer, including transitional arrangements. The Act applies to England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland and comes into force six months after its passage.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly specify government spending changes. However, the transfer of responsibilities could lead to shifts in funding and resources between the national government and local authorities. The exact financial implications are not detailed within the provided text.

Groups Affected

The following groups will likely be affected:

• Local Authorities: They will gain new responsibilities and potentially increased workloads related to marine licensing. They may require additional funding and training.
• Marine Management Organisation (MMO): Their role in marine licensing will be significantly reduced.
• Businesses undertaking marine activities: They will need to interact with local authorities instead of the MMO for licensing purposes, potentially involving changes to their processes.
• Environmental groups and stakeholders: The impact on environmental protection and regulation under the new system needs further assessment. A change in administrative body may impact their level of access and influence.

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