Overview

This bill aims to transfer responsibility for managing the Crown Estate in Wales from the UK Treasury to the Welsh Government. This involves transferring land, rights, and associated functions to the Welsh Ministers, ensuring continued management on behalf of the Crown while aligning with Welsh governance.

Description

The Crown Estate (Wales) Bill will amend the Wales Act 2017 to allow the Treasury to create a scheme transferring the management of the Crown Estate in Wales to the Welsh Government or a body nominated by them. This transfer includes property, rights, and interests in land in Wales (excluding certain exceptions specified in the bill, such as those held by specific limited partnerships).

The bill outlines specific provisions for the transfer scheme, requiring consideration of national security, telecommunications access, oil and gas resource exploitation, and consistency in managing electricity infrastructure. It also mandates safeguarding the employment rights of those involved in the transfer.

Furthermore, the bill will amend the Crown Estate Act 1961 to ensure its applicability to the transferee, with necessary modifications to reflect the shift in responsibility to the Welsh Government and Auditor General for Wales. It will also amend the Civil List Act 1952, directing hereditary revenues from the transferred assets in Wales to the Welsh Consolidated Fund.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly involve a significant change in government spending. The transfer of responsibility may lead to a shift in budgetary allocations between the UK and Welsh Governments, but no figures are provided in the bill text itself. The revenue generated from the Crown Estate in Wales will be transferred to the Welsh Consolidated Fund.

Groups Affected

• Welsh Government: Gains responsibility for managing the Crown Estate in Wales.
• UK Treasury: Loses responsibility for managing the Crown Estate in Wales.
• Crown Estate Commissioners: Loses some of its functions relating to Wales.
• Employees of the Crown Estate: Employment rights are protected during the transfer.
• Businesses and individuals with interests in Crown Estate land in Wales: May experience changes in their interactions with the land's management.
• Auditor General for Wales: Will assume responsibility for auditing the Crown Estate in Wales.

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