Countryside Act 1968

2 New functions of the Commission

(1) The Commission shall have the general duties imposed by this section, but nothing in this section shall be construed as modifying the effect of any provision of this Act or of the Act of 1949 whereby any general or specific power or duty is conferred or imposed on the Commission, or whereby an obligation is imposed on any other person to consult with the Commission.

(2) The Commission shall keep under review all matters relating to—

(a) the provision and improvement of facilities for the enjoyment of the countryside,

(b) the conservation and enhancement of the natural beauty and amenity of the countryside, and

(c) the need to secure public access to the countryside for the purposes of open-air recreation,

and shall consult with such local planning authorities and other bodies as appear to the Commission to have an interest in those matters.

(3) The Commission shall encourage, assist, concert or promote the implementation of any proposals with respect to those matters made by any person or body, being proposals which the Commission consider to be suitable.

(4) The Commission shall advise any Minister having functions under this Act, or any other Minister or any public body, on such matters relating to the countryside as he or they may refer to the Commission, or as the Commission may think fit.

(5) Where it appears to the Commission that the provision and improvement of facilities for enjoyment of the countryside or the conservation and enhancement of the natural beauty and amenity of the countryside presents special problems or requires special professional or technical skill, the Commission—

(a) shall notify their opinion to the appropriate local planning authority or other public body, and

(b) on the application of any such authority or other body in any case where it appears to the Commission expedient having regard to title provisions of section 1(2) of this Act, and to the provisions of section 5(1) of the Act of 1949 (general provisions as respects National Parks), shall place the services of officers or servants of the Commission, or the services of consultants engaged by the Commission, at the disposal of the authority or other body for such period as may be agreed between them, and on such terms as to payment or otherwise, as may be so agreed with the approval of the Minister.

(6) The Commission shall make to local planning authorities and other public bodies, as respects the exercise of the powers of making byelaws conferred by this Act and the Act of 1949, recommendations as to the matters in respect of which byelaws should be made.

(7) The Commission shall carry out, or commission the carrying out of, such inquiries, investigations or researches, either on their own account or jointly with other persons, as the Commission may deem necessary or expedient for the purposes of any of their functions.

(8) The Commission shall provide, or assist in the provision of, publicity and information services relating to the countryside, to places of beauty or interest therein, or to the functions of the Commission, and shall take such steps as appear to them expedient for securing that suitable methods of publicity are used for the prevention of damage in the countryside and for encouraging a proper standard of behaviour on the part of persons resorting to the countryside.

(9) The Commission shall make to the Minister such recommendations as the Commission think proper in respect of applications by local authorities for Exchequer grants under this Act or the Act of 1949.