New board members for Cairngorms National Park Authority
New board members for Cairngorms National Park Authority
The results are in following the Cairngorms National Park Authority board elections, with both new and familiar faces round the table at this morning’s board meeting (Friday 24 March).
Five community representatives are elected to serve on the Park board for a period of four years. The election count took place on Thursday 23 March at the Craig MacLean Leisure Centre in Grantown-on-Spey, with an average turn out of 36.5% for the postal vote.
The results are as follows:
Ward 1 – Highland/Perth & Kinross (main communities – Blair Atholl, Dalwhinnie, Kingussie and Newtonmore).
- Kenny Deans
Ward 3 – Highland (main communities – Carrbridge, Cromdale, Grantown and Nethybridge).
- John Kirk
Ward 4 – Moray (main communities – Cockbridge, Glenlivet, Strathdon and Tomintoul).
- Eleanor Christina Mackintosh
Ward 5 Aberdeenshire/Angus/Perth & Kinross (main communities – Ballater and Braemar).
- Paul Edward Gibb
No poll was held for Ward 2, as only one candidate – Lauren MacCallum – was nominated, and is therefore declared to be elected to the Cairngorms National Park Authority board.
Xander McDade, Cairngorms National Park Authority board convener said: “I would like to thank everyone who took part in the elections to the Park Authority board. It was very encouraging to see so many people put themselves forward. Congratulations to our new members, Kenny, Paul and Lauren and welcome back Eleanor and John.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Deirdre Falconer for her valuable contribution to the National Park as the representative for Ward 1 for the last four years. And I would particularly like to thank outgoing member for Ward 2, Willie MacKenna, who has served on the Park Authority board since the very beginning. We are very grateful for his twenty years of service. His wisdom and knowledge will be much missed.”
Further information on the elections is available on The Highland Council website. To view today’s board papers go here.
Alert
Latest from the National Park
Ongoing wildfire near Ryvoan Bothy
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and partners are currently in attendance at a large fire south of Aviemore.
Historic bridge in Nethy replaced after years of community effort
New bridge over Allt Mòr Burn officially opens
Endangered ant queen found in Royal Deeside
An exciting discovery in Royal Deeside is being hailed as a milestone in the recovery of a critically endangered species.
Relevant alerts
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Update - 21:55
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service have shared that emergency services continue to tackle a large-scale wildfire covering more than two kilometres in width near to Glenmore.
A number of homes and businesses, including campsites and ski resorts within the Glenmore Forest Park area, have been closed and evacuated as a safety precaution due to the close proximity to the incident.
As of 9pm on Wednesday night (15 July), Scottish Fire and Rescue Service currently has six fire appliances, a wildfire unit, specialist resources and tactical commanders mobilised to the scene after the alarm was raised just before 12 noon earlier today.
Firefighters are working with landowners to contain the incident and create fire breaks, with high winds causing the fire to spread across areas of trees and woodland. There are no reported casualties.
Road closures continue to be in place to support the emergency response, and people are asked to avoid the area within Glenmore Forest Park and Loch Morlich on Thursday, 16 July as this incident continues.
We will share updates as the situation develops. In the meantime, our thanks go out to the emergency services, gamekeepers, NGO and estate staff and many others from across the community who are working non-stop to get these fires under control, and providing support to those affected.
Update - 20:06
Emergency services and partners are continuing to respond to this wildfire. A number of properties and premises in the area have been evacuated as a precaution. The Ski Road is currently closed. Anyone walking in the Cairngorms should avoid the area and let family or friends know when they have returned.
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The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and partners are currently in attendance at a large fire in the open near to Ryvoan Bothy within the Cairngorms National Park.
Due to large volumes of smoke travelling towards populated areas nearby, residents in Aviemore, Glenmore and the surrounding communities should keep their windows and doors closed. If you are within this area and can see or smell smoke, please follow the same advice. If you are aware of someone hiking in the area, please ask them to get themselves safely off the hill as soon as possible.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has asked that people avoid the Glenmore and Aviemore area, and remain vigilant. Our thanks go to all those engaged in active firefighting - we will post further updates when we have them.
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Very high fire risk - 15 to 20 July
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has issued a very high wildfire warning impacting areas of the National Park on Wednesday 15 until Monday 20 July. If you are out and about in the Cairngorms National Park please observe the following guidance:
- Do not light any fire or barbecue, in line with the new fire byelaw
- Always ensure cigarettes are fully extinguished and take your litter (including glass) away with you
- Enjoy the outdoors responsibly - most wildfires are caused by human activity
- Stay alert - with dry vegetation and warm weather, fires can start easily, spread rapidly, and burn intensely
- If you see a wildfire, dial 999
For further updates on wildfire risk across Scotland, visit the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service website. To find out more about the fire byelaw, and to see your questions answered, visit our fire byelaw page here.