Dales Parish forums are back

On Wednesday 13 October the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority held its first Parish Forum since its meetings were suspended last year due to Covid-19.  

Representatives from all 99 Parish Councils/Meetings in the National Park were invited, and those who attended discussed issues ranging from road traffic speed and noise to visitor management, sustainability and dark skies. 

 Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority Chair Neil Heseltine said: “These forums are a great opportunity for open, two-way discussion about the issues faced by Parish Councils in the National Park. 

 “I particularly welcomed the important discussion around sustainability and the challenge from parishes for the Authority to be a leader and exemplar for what a modern sustainable National Park should be, providing expertise and advice locally, and not being afraid of bold and radical solutions to deal with the climate emergency.   

 “It’s clear that, in order for North Yorkshire and Cumbria to become a carbon negative region by 2040, the scale of the change will be breathtaking, requiring huge cultural shifts. And as a new National Park Management Plan starts taking shape in the coming 18 months we will look to be even more ambitious”.  

 The meeting also heard from the Authority’s Director of Park Services on protecting the dark sky through good lighting schemes and a North Yorkshire street lighting project to help parishes improve the street lighting they own.  

 Mr Heseltine said: “I’m already looking forward to meeting up again in the new year to hear more innovative ideas, activities and projects taking place in the National Park”.