The overall role of a
member is to contribute to the leadership, scrutiny, and direction of the
National Park Authority 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 on which they serve. Certain ineligibility criteria
apply to these posts.
The key functions of a
member are to:
·
Ensure the National
Park Authority/AONB Conservation Board furthers its statutory purposes which
are described on page 5 of the candidate pack.
·
Agree plans that ensure
the Park/AONB is a nature rich place that is available to all parts of society,
contributes to thriving local communities, is valued as a national asset for
its special qualities.
·
Represent the
Authority/ Board through collaborative working with external stakeholders at a
national and local level, including other National Park Authorities and AONB
teams.
·
Agree appropriate
policies to meet statutory duties and participate in collective decision
making.
·
Encourage a creative,
experimental and innovative culture, where risks are appropriately
managed.
·
Guide the development
of policy and business plans by participating in activities as required
including meetings, committees and working groups.
·
Scrutinise and monitor
performance, including providing constructive challenge and oversight of
governance.
·
Ensure there is
effective and efficient governance and management in place.
·
Provide leadership and
strategic direction towards national priorities.
·
Utilise broad knowledge
and skills, to manage local and national interests, ensuring the national
interest is taken fully into account.
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 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
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.
The Sandford Principle
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’.