Secretary of State National Park Authorities and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Conservation Boards Members
- Body
- National Park Authorities and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Conservation Boards (NPA)
- Appointing Department
- Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
- Sector
- Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
- Location
- Various – Broads, New Forest, Peak District, Lake District and Cotswolds
- Number of Vacancies
- 12 Broads Authority (2); New Forest NPA (2); Peak District NPA (3); Lake District (2); and Cotswolds CB (3)
- Remuneration
- These positions are non-salaried but certain allowances are available if needed. These allowances range between £300 - £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
17/04/2019
-
Closed for Applications
13/05/2019 at 12:00
-
Panel Sift
22 May - 06 June 2019
-
Final Interview Date
24/06/2019
-
Announcement
July
Announcement
An announcement has been made on the outcome of this appointment.
Appointments have been made to England’s National Park Authorities (NPAs) and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Conservation Boards. The following appointments have been made for four years:
New Forest NPA
• George Meyrick • Stephen Trow
Peak District NPA
• Janet Haddock –Fraser • Lydia Slack • Yvonne Witter
Broads Authority NPA
• Tristram Hilborn • Tim Jickells Lake District NPA
• Sabine Mosner • Tiffany Hunt
The following four members have been appointed for three year terms to the Cotswolds AONB Conservation Board:
• Brendan Costelloe • Graham Hopkins • Dominic Morris • Ed Macalister-Smith
Additional information regarding the members listed will be made available on the Cotswolds AONB and Chilterns AONB websites There is a requirement for appointees’ political activity (if significant) to be made public. The appointees have not declared any significant political activity in the past five years.
The following members have been reappointed Matthew Bradbury has been reappointed to the Broads Authority for a further four-year term. Further information on Matthew can be found here.
Nick Holliday has been reappointed to the Exmoor NPA for a further 12 months. Further information on Nick can be found here. Ken Bodfish has been reappointed to the South Downs NPA for a further 12 months. Further information on Ken can be found here. Peter Murray and Mike Bell have been reappointed to the Northumberland NPA for a further 12 months. Further information on Peter and Mike can be found here.
John Shaw and Paul Mainds have recently been appointed to The Chilterns AONB Conservation Board for a three-year term and three Members have been reappointed for a further three years: • Alison Doggett, Colin Courtney and John Nichols
Date: 02/09/2019
Assessment Panel
- Panel Member
- Sarah Severn (London and Manchester)
- Added
- 17/04/2019
- Positions
- Friday 21 June - Lake District interviews
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| Political Activity | None |
|---|---|
| Notes | - |
- Panel Member
- Louise Morris (Bristol Panel)
- Added
- 17/04/2019
- Panel Role
- Panel Chair
- Positions
- Deputy Head of Land Use Departmental Official
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| Political Activity | None |
|---|---|
| Notes | - |
- Panel Member
- Haydn Thirtle (London Panel)
- Added
- 17/04/2019
- Positions
- Chair, Broads Authority Representative of Organisation
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| Political Activity | Conservative - Borough Councillor and County Councillor |
|---|---|
| Notes | - |
- Panel Member
- Oliver Crosthwaite-Eyre (London Panel)
- Added
- 17/04/2019
- Positions
- Chair, New Forest National Park Authority Representative of Organisation
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| Political Activity | TBC |
|---|---|
| Notes | - |
- Panel Member
- Andrew McCloy (Manchester Panel)
- Added
- 17/04/2019
- Panel Role
- Chair, Peak District National Park Authority Representative of Organisation
- Positions
- Thursday 20 June - Peak District interviews
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| Political Activity | None |
|---|---|
| Notes | - |
- Panel Member
- Mike McKinley (Manchester Panel)
- Added
- 17/04/2019
- Positions
- Chair, Lake District National Park Authority Representative of Organisation
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| Political Activity | None |
|---|---|
| Notes | - |
- Panel Member
- Liz Eyre (Bristol Panel)
- Added
- 17/04/2019
- Positions
- Chair, Cotswolds AONB Conservation Board Representative of Organisation
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| Political Activity | Conservative - District Councillor and County Councillor |
|---|---|
| Notes | - |
- Panel Member
- Henry Robinson (Bristol Panel)
- Added
- 17/04/2019
- Positions
- Board Member, Natural England Independent Member
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| Political Activity | None |
|---|---|
| Notes | - |
- Panel Member
- Sophie Churchill (London and Manchester Panel)
- Added
- 17/04/2019
- Positions
- Board Member, Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board Independent Member
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| Political Activity | None |
|---|---|
| Notes | - |
Vacancy Description
“I am looking for passionate and committed individuals from all backgrounds 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 an understanding of and commitment to farming and land management, rural communities, the protection and enhancement of the environment, and making sure our finest landscapes can be enjoyed by everyone.”
Lord Gardiner of Kimble, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Rural Affairs and Biosecurity
There are ten National Parks (including the Broads Authority), and thirty four Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, including two Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Conservation Boards in England. The National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act (1949) enabled the designation of National Parks and AONBs in England and Wales.
National Parks and Cotswolds and Chilterns AONBs are protected because of their natural beauty and the wealth of opportunities provided for outdoor recreation, being designated nationally and internationally important landscapes. This high quality environment supports vibrant local economies and communities.
National Parks are administered by individual National Park Authorities. The Chilterns and Cotswolds AONBs are each administered by a Conservation Board. Each National Park Authority/AONB Conservation Board is managed by an executive of permanent staff with oversight from Members. Members make decisions about the actions that each National Park Authority/AONB Conservation Board should take to deliver its purposes. There are typically between 18 and 30 Members, either appointed by Defra’s Secretary of State, or elected by local authorities or parish councils.
The executive carries out the necessary work to run the National Parks/AONBs and support and advise the Members. Staff include professionals such as ecologists, rangers, planners and education specialists Defra encourages National Park Authorities/AONB Conservation Boards to maximise funding from a range of sources to supplement the grant they receive from Government.
The overall role of a Member is to contribute to the leadership, scrutiny and direction of the National Park Authority/ Conservation Board and further the statutory purposes. 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.
Person Specification
All applicants must demonstrate the following criteria:
• Commitment to protected landscapes and an understanding of the statutory purposes of National Parks/ AONBs;
• Ability to act as an ambassador for the National Park/ AONB, by influencing and working collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders including farmers and environmental land managers;
• An ability to constructively challenge and influence within a leadership group ; and
• Ability to think strategically and provide advice 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:
i) Conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage;
ii) 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 Broads Authority has an additional purpose of protecting the interests of navigation, and in discharging its functions 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 a further responsibility to:
o increase the public understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the area of outstanding natural beauty
• When AONBs 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.
• If there is conflict between the purposes for National Parks and AONBs they are both required by statute to place greater weight to conserving and enhancing the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the park, a concept known as the ‘Sandford principle’.
We actively encourage applications from individuals from a wide range of backgrounds. Defra is a Disability Confident employer.
How to Apply
All candidates are required to complete the following forms:
• Monitoring form 1 (Conflicts of Interest, Conduct and Political Activity Questionnaire) • Monitoring form 2 (Diversity Monitoring Questionnaire)
Candidates should submit their CV with education, professional qualifications and employment history and the names and contact details for two referees, together with their statement of suitability.
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 13 May 2019. Email to publicappts@defra.gov.uk quoting reference APPT13-18.
For further information please email: publicappts@defra.gov.uk