Cairngorms National Park preparing for elections to the board
Candidates are being sought for the upcoming elections to the Cairngorms National Park Authority's board.
"Anyone who wants to help shape the park’s future for the benefit of its communities and wildlife can stand," a spokesperson said today.
The elections are set to take place in March 2023.
The park’s 19,000 residents vote and elect members to represent their local area wards.
There are five places to be contested and the park is looking for members who are representative of the people who live and work here and are interested in taking responsibility for delivering national priorities and overseeing delivery of the agreed National Park Partnership Plan.
Xander McDade is the current board convener. He joined it in 2018, the youngest ever member at just 23 at the time.
“We are keen to see candidates from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences come forward for the elections” he said.
“This is a rewarding and varied role, offering people the chance to make a difference to life in the park, working with partners to tackle critical issues that relate to its nature, people and places and ultimately address the climate and nature emergencies.
"The board guides and shapes the work of the authority and the role of board member is both challenging and rewarding. The key focus of the position is to ensure that both the natural environment and the local communities are cared for and sustained for current and future generations."
Elected members are expected to commit between two and three days each month to the role and receive a fee of £228.67 per day.
To help people understand more about what is involved, drop-in sessions are taking place over the coming weeks, hosted by Mr McDade and deputy board convener Janet Hunter, along with the authority's chief executive Grant Moir.
Drop-in meetings planned:
Cairngorms National Park Authority offices, Grantown on November 22 from 6.30-7.30pm.
Glen Avon Hotel, Tomintoul, November 24 from 7.30-8.30pm.
Balmoral Arms Hotel, Ballater, November 24 from 5.30-6.30pm.
Skye Room, MacDonald Highlands Hotel, Aviemore on November 30 from 5.30-6.30pm.
Atholl Arms, Blair Atholl, Novemer 30 from 7.30-8.30pm.
There will also be the chance to attend an online informal session in January to find out more about what the role entails and ask questions of current board members.
Directly elected members sit on the board for four years, serving alongside seven members who are appointed by the five local authorities covering the park area and seven directly appointed by Scottish Government Ministers. Candidates must be over 21 but do not have to reside within the park boundary.
The Highland Council run the elections on the CNPA's behalf and will be sending out the notice of election early in the new year.
More info at: www.cairngorms.co.uk/elections or call 01479 873535.
