In the Park – February 2017

Brian J Wood  –  Depute Convener CNPA

Just when you thought they were all past and it was safe to come out again, along comes another one.  What?  Well an election of course, and this time you really can get involved and make a difference.

The Board of the Cairngorms National Park Authority comprises nineteen members.  Seven are appointed by the Scottish Government following application and interview, seven are appointed by the five local authorities covered by the Park and, unlike many similar organisations elsewhere, five are elected directly by the residents of the Park to represent their particular ward.

For the last few years the Deeside, Glenshee and Angus part of the Park has been represented by Katrina Farquhar from Logie Coldstone.  Katrina recently took on a new appointment working for HRH The Duke of Rothesay and so has stepped down from the Park Board and we’re left with a vacancy to be filled.  So, if you’re keen to see the Park flourish, have an interest in protecting one of the world’s most beautiful areas or simply feel you can do a better job than those of us who are on the Board, then now’s your chance.

You can do one of three things: a) you can put yourself forward and stand for election, b) you can persuade someone else to stand or c) you can encourage all your neighbours to vote.

The role is a challenging but rewarding one.  Balancing the various aims of the Park is not easy.  Preserving the environment, ensuring that endangered species have the best chance of survival, promoting sustainability, protecting our cultural heritage, encouraging more people to come to enjoy what the Park has to offer, while at the same time supporting the economic and social development of our various communities can produce real conflicts.  It is important then that those who live in the Park have a strong voice and influence the decisions that are made by the Board.

The appointment will be from 1 May 2017 and will run until the next full round of elections in 2019.  Full details of what is involved in being a Board Member are available on the CNPA website at https://cairngorms.co.uk/authority/board/ or for a more personal view you can contact one of the members directly.

So what are you waiting for?  You know you want to do it!

Good luck!