Secretary of State Board Members
- Body
- National Park Authorities and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Conservation Boards
- Appointing Department
- Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
- Sector
- Charity & Public Sector
- Location
- Various – Broads, Cotswolds, Chilterns, North York Moors, Peak District, South Downs and Yorkshire Dales
- Number of Vacancies
- 13 Broads Authority; North York Moors NPA; Peak District NPA (2); South Downs NPA; Yorkshire Dales NPA; Chilterns CB; and Cotswolds CB (6)
- Remuneration
- These positions are non-salaried but certain allowances are available if needed. These allowances range between £240 - £3,000 per annum depending on the National Park Authority or AONB Conservation Board – full details are in the candidate pack
- Time Requirements
- 1-4 days per month depending on the National Park Authority or AONB Conservation Board - full details are in the candidate pack
Campaign Timeline
-
Competition Launched
12/03/2018
-
Closed for Applications
16/04/2018 at 12:00
-
Panel Sift
25/04/2018
-
Final Interview Date
05/06/2018
-
Announcement
20/09/2018
Announcement
An announcement has been made on the outcome of this appointment.
Appointments to England’s National Park Authorities and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Conservation Boards have been made by Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Michael Gove.
Date: 20/09/2018
Assessment Panel
- Panel Member
- Alexandra Cran-McGreehin (Bristol panel)
- Added
- 09/03/2018
- Panel Role
- Panel Chair
- Positions
- Defra Deputy Director, Accountability and Governance Departmental Official
Show more information
| Political Activity | - |
|---|---|
| Notes | - |
- Panel Member
- Marie Southgate (London and York panels)
- Added
- 09/03/2018
- Panel Role
- Panel Chair
- Positions
- Defra Deputy Director, Land Use Departmental Official
Show more information
| Political Activity | - |
|---|---|
| Notes | - |
- Panel Member
- Robin Milton (Bristol panel)
- Added
- 09/03/2018
- Positions
- Chair, Exmoor National Park Authority Independent Member
Show more information
| Political Activity | Yes |
|---|---|
| Notes | Conservative |
- Panel Member
- Cllr Elizabeth Eyre (Bristol panel)
- Added
- 09/03/2018
- Positions
- Chair, Cotswolds AONB Conservation Board Representative of Organisation
Show more information
| Political Activity | Yes |
|---|---|
| Notes | Conservative |
- Panel Member
- Sir Harry Studholme (London panel)
- Added
- 09/03/2018
- Positions
- Chair, Forestry Commission Independent Member
Show more information
| Political Activity | - |
|---|---|
| Notes | - |
- Panel Member
- Professor Jacquelin Burgess (London panel)
- Added
- 09/03/2018
- Positions
- Chair, Broads Authority Representative of Organisation
Show more information
| Political Activity | - |
|---|---|
| Notes | - |
- Panel Member
- Cllr Ian Reay (London panel)
- Added
- 09/03/2018
- Positions
- Chair, Chilterns AONB Conservation Board Representative of Organisation
Show more information
| Political Activity | Yes |
|---|---|
| Notes | Conservative |
- Panel Member
- Margaret Paren (London panel)
- Added
- 09/03/2018
- Positions
- Chair, South Downs National Park Authority Representative of Organisation
Show more information
| Political Activity | - |
|---|---|
| Notes | - |
- Panel Member
- Sir William Worsley (York panel)
- Added
- 09/03/2018
- Positions
- Chair, National Forest Company Independent Member
Show more information
| Political Activity | Yes |
|---|---|
| Notes | Conservative |
- Panel Member
- Jim Bailey (York panel)
- Added
- 09/03/2018
- Positions
- Chair, North York Moors National Park Authority Representative of Organisation
Show more information
| Political Activity | - |
|---|---|
| Notes | - |
- Panel Member
- Cllr Lesley Roberts (York panel)
- Added
- 09/03/2018
- Positions
- Chair, Peak District National Park Authority Representative of Organisation
Show more information
| Political Activity | - |
|---|---|
| Notes | - |
- Panel Member
- Carl Lis (York panel)
- Added
- 09/03/2018
- Positions
- Chair, Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority Representative of Organisation
Show more information
| Political Activity | Yes |
|---|---|
| Notes | Conservative |
Vacancy Description
“I am looking for a wide range of passionate and committed individuals who want to help shape the strategic direction of our National Park Authorities and AONB Conservation Boards. As a Secretary of State appointed member, you will have the opportunity to help conserve and enhance our most treasured landscapes now and for future generations. I welcome applications from people who have a clear understanding of land management, rural communities, as well as protection and enhancement of the environment.”
Lord Gardiner of Kimble, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Rural Affairs and Biosecurity
We are looking to appoint six Secretary of State members to National Park Authorities and seven to AONB Conservation Boards.
The overall role of a Secretary of State member is to contribute to the leadership, scrutiny and direction of the National Park Authority/Conservation Board and further the statutory purposes of the National Parks/AONBs. Secretary of State Members are not representative of any organisation or group and have a duty to act in the best interest of the Authority/Conservation Board on which they serve. Certain ineligibility criteria apply to these posts.
The key functions of a Secretary of State member are to:
- Be collectively responsible, with other members, for decisions and ensure the National Park Authority/ AONB Conservation Board furthers its statutory purposes;
- Contribute towards the overall strategic direction of the National Park Authority/AONB Conservation Board through the development of policy, business plans and participation in various activities such as meetings, committees and working groups;
- Scrutinise independently the workings and policies of the National Park Authority/ AONB Conservation Board;
- Approve and monitor programmes to implement the National Park Authority/ AONB Conservation Board policies and plans;
- Influence externally, on behalf of the CB/NPA that is, acting as ambassador; promoting the objectives of the CB/NPA.
- Contribute knowledge and skills and provide advice from the national and local perspective which benefits the National Park Authority/ AONB Conservation Board.
The successful candidates must abide by the Nolan principles of public service
Person Specification
All applicants must demonstrate the following criteria:
- Understanding of and commitment to the statutory purposes of National Parks/ AONBs;
- Understanding of farming and/or environmental land management as an essential element in meeting the statutory purposes of the National Park/ AONB;
- Ability to champion the National Park/ AONB, influencing and working collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders; and
- Ability to think strategically, provide advice, challenge and deliver outcomes in ways which are impartial, creative and focused on finding solutions that take account of local and national priorities.
Additional Information
The statutory purposes of National Park Authorities are to:
- Conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage;
- Promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of National Parks by the public.
- When National Park authorities carry out these purposes they also have the duty to: seek to foster the economic and social well-being of local communities within the National Parks.
- The Norfolk and Suffolk Broads (The Broads) has an additional purpose of protecting the interests of navigation, and regard is to be had to the needs of agriculture and forestry and the economic and social interests of those who live or work in the Broads
The statutory purposes of AONB Conservation Boards are to:
- Conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the AONB.
- AONB Conservation Boards have purposes to:
-
- increase the understanding and enjoyment by the public of the special qualities of the area of outstanding natural beauty
- increase the understanding and enjoyment by the public of the AONB’s special qualities.
When conservation boards carry out these purposes they also have the duty to seek to foster the economic and social well-being of local communities within the AONB.
How to Apply
All candidates are required to complete the following forms:
- Monitoring form 1 (Political Activity and Conflict of Interest Questionnaire)
- Monitoring form 2 (Diversity Monitoring Questionnaire)
Candidates should submit their CV with education, professional qualifications and employment history together with a statement of suitability. You should also provide the names and contact details for two referees.
The statement of suitability should give evidence of the strength and depth of your ability to meet the essential criteria for this role. Please provide specific examples to demonstrate how you meet each of the criteria (max two pages please).
Your CV and statement should be returned to the following address by the closing date: 12.00 (midday) on 16 April 2018. Email to publicappts@defra.gsi.gov.uk quoting reference APPT 01-18.
For further information please email: publicappts@defra.gsi.gov.uk