Two Highland councillors confirmed for Cairngorms National Park Authority
For the first time in five years Badenoch and Strathspey will be fully represented by two local Highland councillors from the area.
Councillor Bill Lobban and Councillor Russell Jones, both Independents, have been voted in as local government nominees on the board for the Highlands. They will take their places in September.
They replace former Inverness South member Carolyn Caddick (Scottish Lib Dem), who stood down at the last election, and Pippa Hadley (Scottish Green), of Kingussie, who lost her seat at council headquarters.
Councillor Lobban said: “It is really important that Badenoch and Strathspey has a strong local presence on the CNPA board and this is the first time in five years where both council appointees actually live in the Park.
“The relationship between the national park authority and the council has never been more important and I hope that, together with my fellow Councillor Russell Jones, the two organisations will continue to make decisions that benefit the people of this area.”
Councillor Jones said: "I am honoured to be selected by the council to join the CNPA board and I look forward to being a voice for local people over the next few years in this role.
"My focus will very much be on the benefits the park can bring to local residents and I hope this will be higher on the national park’s list of priorities than it perhaps has been.
"I am encouraged by both CNPA and the council’s commitment to better public transport links and Active Travel in our area and I look forward to working to help this become a reality for local people."
Mrs Caddick is deputy convener of the CNPA board.