Councillors back campaign to devolve crown estate

A campaign to devolve management of the Crown Estate to the Welsh Government  has been backed by Powys County Councillors.

At a council meeting on Thursday, December 5 councillors debated a motion by Plaid Cymru group leader Cllr Elwyn Vaughan put forward.

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Cllr Vaughan asked that: “We ask the chair of council to write to the Welsh Government outlining our support to help persuade Westminster to devolve the Crown Estate as a matter of urgency.”

He pointed out that the Scottish Government have been managing the Crown Estate there since 2017.

Cllr Vaughan said: “Don’t complain about injustice or lack of funding if you’re not willing to do something about it. it’s about fairness within these isles and ensuring our communities benefit from these resources rather than seeing the wealth seep away.”

Cabinet member for education, Liberal Democrat Cllr Pete Roberts said: “When I saw this motion I thought it’s not one of Elwyn’s (Cllr Vaughan), it lacks clarity and detail, so I did a little digging.

“What we actually have in front of us is a motion that was passed by Monmouthshire council and a very similar one in Gwynedd.

“The reality is this is about Wales, who we are and how we are treated and it’s about delivering our services.

He pointed out that following referenda in 1997 powers had been devolved to both Scotland and Wales – but they had not been applied equally.

Cllr Roberts: “Why are we not receiving the benefits of the Crown Estate, why is it going to Westminster, is it a case of England and Wales means England whenever there is money coming out of Wales.

“It’s an important point and we as a country are facing significant financial challenges.

He said that there was a need to actively campaign to “secure the money we deserve.”

Conservative group leader, Cllr Aled Davies cautioned against the move as he believed that devolving the Crown Estate could see less money come to Wales under the current formula that transfers funding from Westminster to the Welsh Government.

Cllr Davies said: “Be careful what you wish for, the UK is better when it works together to create a strong economy and delivering for people.”

Conservative Cllr Pete Lewington added: “I do find it frustrating that Plaid Cymru continue to waste opportunities to bring forward motions on real life issues that matter to the people of Powys.”

Councillors then moved to a vote which saw 39 councillors vote for, 14 against and four councillors abstained.

The Crown Estate is a collection of property, rights, and interest, owned by the King in “right of the crown.”

While the monarch is the legal owner, it is not the King’s private property and cannot be sold.

Revenues from the estate do not belong to the King, they go to the UK Government Treasury.

In 2023 the Crown Estate had generated £103.6 million for the Scottish government’s coffers and the value of the estate had increased from £568 million to £653 million.

In Wales, it is estimated that the estate owns 65 per cent of the nation’s foreshore and riverbeds, and more than 50,000 acres of land.