The first commons council in England is likely to be established in Brendon, Exmoor
The Commons Act 2006 enables commons to be managed more sustainably by commoners and landowners working together through commons councils, with powers to regulate grazing and other agricultural activities. Commons councils are democratic structures through which all those with an interest in the common can work together to better manage agricultural activities, vegetation and the exercise of common rights on the land. Councils have powers to make legally binding rules on all those using a common for agricultural purposes, including for example rules to secure compliance with the conditions of an environmental stewardship agreement.
Brendon Commoners Association has undertaken an in-depth consultation process to see if there is substantial support among commoners, land owners and others with an interest in the common to set up a commons council. The result was an overwhelming yes. They are currently having the first draft of their establishment order examined in detail by Defra. They hope the process of establishment might be completed by mid year.
