Bridgend Council has become the latest local authority in Wales to formally declare its support for the devolution of the Crown Estate.
The Crown Estate consists of most of the UK’s foreshore and various land holdings. It’s currently managed by the UK Government on behalf of the monarchy. 25% of the revenue raised by the Crown Estate is used to fund the royal household, with the rest returned to the UK Government.
The UK Government recently rejected calls for the Crown Estate to be devolved to Wales, despite it being devolved to Scotland. The Crown Estate stopped publishing Wales-specific revenue figures a few years ago, but as a whole it generated over £650million in profits during 2024 – mainly from offshore wind leasing.
You can read the full text of the motion – tabled by Cllr. Gary Haines (Lab, Aberkenfig) – here, but in summary:
The Council:
- Recognises the revenues the Crown Estate in Wales raises from Welsh natural resources and that this revenue is collected and managed by the UK Treasury, with profits allocated to the UK Government.
- Acknowledges that Scotland has successfully secured devolution of the Crown Estate, ensuring income generated from Scottish assets is reinvested in Scotland.
- Believes revenue generated from the Welsh Crown Estate should be reinvested by the Welsh Government on social and economic development.
- Supports devolution of the Crown Estate to Wales and calls for the UK Government to engage in “meaningful discussions” on the “fair distribution of revenues generated from Wales’ natural resources”.
A “matter of fairness and justice”
Cllr. Haines told councillors that the Crown Estate plays a significant role in the marine energy sector, which is critical to the Welsh economy. He wasn’t concerned with political points regarding the motion but with fairness, justice and self-determination. This is especially important given the financial pressures faced here.
Cllr. Heidi Bennett (Lab, Pen-y-fai) believed Wales deserves its rightful share of resources. While she noted her disappointment with the UK Government’s rejection of devolution, there was a need to secure extra funding for councils and to reinvest Crown Estate revenues into public services. This was a matter of principle and justice.
Cllr. Tim Thomas (Ind, St. Bride’s Minor & Ynysawdre) successfully tabled an amendment calling for the Council Leader to write to the First Minister, Eluned Morgan, to investigate how Crown Estate powers have been used in Scotland.
The sole dissenting voice came from Cllr. Jonathan Pratt (Con, Newton). He accepted that there was an argument for a fair share of the Crown Estate’s revenues from Wales to come to Wales, devolution may delay the UK Government’s timetable for offshore wind leasing. He proposed an amendment removing the call for devolution but retaining the rest – but this didn’t get any support.
Cllr. Alex Ulberini-Williams (Ind, Pencoed & Penprysg) mentioned that he undertook policy work in this area when the Crown Estate was devolved to Scotland – where it’s worked well. Devolution would ensure greater local accountability and economic benefits.
There were, nonetheless, lessons to be learned when it comes to legal and regulatory issues. Additionally, Scotland’s block grant was altered to account for Crown Estate revenues – so any future devolution to Wales requires good management and planning.
There wasn’t a recorded vote – so the motion was approved – though Cllr. Pratt wanted his objection noted on the record.
