Chair to be appointed for South Downs National Park
Issued: 13 April 2010
Following designation of the new South Downs National Park on 31 March 2010, the National Park Authority will formally meet for the first time on 20 April 2010 and elect a Chair and Deputy Chair.
The South Downs was formally designated as a National Park on 31 March 2010
The South Downs National Park Authority is the lead organisation responsible for promoting the purposes of the National Park, working in partnership with other Local Authorities and organisations. The Authority has 27 Members appointed from Local Authorities covering the Park, Parish Councillors plus National Members appointed by the Secretary of State. Election of the Chair and Deputy Chair takes place on the afternoon of 20 April via an election by all Members, with the two roles effective immediately for a period of one year.
Richard Shaw, Interim Chief Executive for South Downs National Park Authority said,
‘These roles are of key importance as we continue to develop the National Park Authority. Both Chair and Deputy Chair will be significant ambassadors in championing the purposes of the National Park and provide dynamic and effective strategic leadership. Working with the other Members of the Authority, the Chair and Deputy Chair will steer our strategy during our shadow year as we prepare to become fully operational in April 2011’.
South Downs National Park was designated on Wednesday 31 March 2010, becoming England’s tenth National park. Covering an area over 1600 square kilometres, the South Downs National Park offers an area of protected countryside that everyone can visit and enjoy.
Notes to editors:
The South Downs has been nationally recognised for its natural beauty and the opportunities it offers for open-air recreation, which is why it has been made into a National Park. For the first time, one permanent organisation, the South Downs National Park Authority, will take lead responsibility for keeping the South Downs National Park a special place.
The South Downs National Park Authority begins its work on 1st April 2010 and has a year to prepare for taking on its full statutory powers and functions in April 2011.
For this first year, the Authority will decide on key policies and recruit the staff needed to help carry out the Park purposes. Once it becomes fully operational in April 2011, the Authority will be able to deliver programmes and take decisions as the Local Planning Authority.
The Authority is funded by central Government and run by a Board of Members who are comprised of:
- 7 National Members appointed by the Secretary of State, Hilary Benn, through an open recruitment process.
- 6 Parish council representatives nominated through hustings organised by SALC (Sussex Association for Local Councils).
- 14 Local Authority nominees drawn from the 15 Local Authorities covering the Park area with Adur and Worthing opting to share a place.
Contact:
Jennie Saul
Interim Press & Publications Officer
South Downs National Park Authority
jennie.saul@southdowns.gov.uk
Tel 0300 303 1053.
