The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (Local Planning) (Modification and Consequential Amendments) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
The Crown Estate (Amendment) Act 2013 formally establishes the legal framework for the management and operational funding of the Crown Estate, transferring the income from the estate, which is currently surrendered to the Treasury by the Sovereign, to be legally controlled by Parliament through the Secretary of State.
The Act specifies that the net revenue generated by the Crown Estate must be paid to the Consolidated Fund, thereby consolidating its status as a national asset whose proceeds benefit the Exchequer, rather than being managed under an existing system of prerogative or convention.
Arguments For
Enhancing public accountability by placing the management of the Crown Estate revenue directly under parliamentary control, rather than advisory arrangements.
Modernizing the governance structure to reflect contemporary constitutional arrangements, ensuring transparency in the management of significant national assets.
Providing a clear statutory basis for the management by the Secretary of State (on behalf of the Crown) while earmarking all surplus revenues for the Exchequer, benefiting public finances.
Confirming the existing practice where the Sovereign surrenders the revenues to the Treasury, solidifying the legal framework for this arrangement.
Arguments Against
Potential for political interference in the long-term management strategy of the Crown Estate, which has historically benefited from independent, commercial oversight.
Loss of the historical or symbolic link between the Crown and the management of these significant national landholdings, potentially viewed as diminishing the institution of the Monarchy.
Introducing legislative complexity where the previous memorandum of understanding provided sufficient administrative flexibility for commercial management.
Risk that short-term political considerations might influence decisions regarding property development or long-term investment in the estate's assets.
The Crown Estate (Amendment) Act 2013
Commencement
1.—(1) Subject to subsection (2), this Act comes into force on the day on which it is passed.
(2) Section 1(2) comes into force on 1st April 2013.
This section determines when the Act becomes law.
Generally, the entire Act takes effect immediately upon being passed (receiving Royal Assent).
However, a specific part, Section 1(2), has a delayed start date, coming into force on April 1st, 2013.
Management of Crown Estate
2.—(1) The Crown Estate Act 1961 is amended as follows.
(2) After section 1 insert—
"1A Management of Crown Estate
(1) The Crown Estate is managed by the Commissioners for the time being appointed under section 1 of the Crown Estate Act 1994.
(2) The Commissioners are to manage the Crown Estate in accordance with the duties set out in the agreement made under section 3 of the Crown Estate Act 1994 as that agreement has effect from time to time.
(3) The Commissioners must pay the whole of any surplus for the time being in their hands that is surplus to the requirements of the Commissioners to the Secretary of State on account of the Crown Estate revenues.
(4) The Secretary of State must pay the whole of any sums received by virtue of subsection (3) to the Consolidated Fund.
(5) Where the Treasury directs that a sum is to be paid out of money provided by Parliament for the purposes of the management of the Crown Estate, the Secretary of State must pay that sum to the Commissioners for those purposes.
(6) This section is without prejudice to the general power of the Secretary of State under the Crown Estate Act 1961 to make regulations for the management of the Crown Estate."
This significant insertion amends the 1961 Act by introducing a new section, 1A, detailing administration.
The Crown Estate remains managed by the Commissioners appointed under the 1994 Act, who must follow instructions outlined in the current management agreement.
The Commissioners must pass all surplus income, after covering management costs, directly to the Secretary of State.
The Secretary of State then ensures this entire revenue amount is paid into the Consolidated Fund, which is the main government bank account.
Furthermore, if Parliament votes money to fund the Estate's management, the Secretary of State transfers those allocated funds to the Commissioners to cover necessary expenses, ensuring government oversight of funding flows.
3. Payment of surplus revenues to the Exchequer
(1) The Crown Estate Act 1961 is amended as follows.
(2) In section 3(1)—
(a) omit ", subject to the provisions of this Act and any direction given by the Sovereign under this Act,"; and
(b) for ", after deducting the expenses of managing the Estate as aforesaid, shall be paid to the Sovereign" substitute "shall be paid to the Secretary of State to be paid by the Secretary of State into the Consolidated Fund".
(3) Section 3(2) is omitted.
This section directly modifies the existing Section 3 of the 1961 Act concerning revenue payments.
It removes language that subjected the payment route to directions from the Sovereign, thereby removing the Monarch's direct financial control over the surplus.
Instead of the surplus (after management expenses) being paid to the Sovereign, the Act mandates that it must now be paid to the Secretary of State, who is legally required to route it into the Consolidated Fund (the Exchequer).
Subsection 3(2) of the former Act, which dealt with payments to the Sovereign, is completely removed as it is superseded by the new payment mechanism to the Secretary of State.
4. Short title and extent
(1) This Act may be cited as the Crown Estate (Amendment) Act 2013.
(2) This Act extends to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
This final part provides the official short title by which the legislation is known.
It also confirms the geographical scope of the Act, stating that its provisions apply across the entire United Kingdom: England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
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