National Park seeks new board member

Are you parish councillor or chair of a parish meeting with a passion for the Yorkshire Dales?

A parish councillor or chair of a parish meeting with a passion for the Yorkshire Dales National Park is needed to sit on the board of the National Park Authority.  They would represent the 25 parishes in the Craven East part of the National Park.*

All parish councillors and chairs of parish meetings in the area have been invited to submit nomination papers by Monday 5 October.  If the Authority receives more than one valid nomination, an election will be held.

The Parish Member vacancy has arisen after former Buckden parish councillor and Member Champion for Sustainable Development at the Authority, Chris Clark, stepped down from the board, after serving four years.

Chairman of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, Neil Heseltine, who is one of the four Parish Members on the Authority, said: “The position is open to all and, with current ways of working, might fit with a mum or dad working from home, for instance.  Parish Members are local people who help to lead the National Park Authority.  They can have a big impact on what the Authority does and the decisions it makes, such as on planning.”

He added:  “Chris Clark was a respected Parish Member and his expertise on farming and sustainability will be much missed.  We’re looking for someone to replace him who will continue to ensure the Authority fulfils its statutory purposes.  A Parish Member committed to looking after this special place and making it a thriving area will be able to make a really positive difference.”

*The 25 parishes are: