Ever wanted to have your say on key issues in the Lake District?
Applications are open to become a Lake District National Park Authority board member – a role that allows people to contribute to the leadership, scrutiny and direction of the national park and help further its statutory purposes.
There are 20 members of the board, which is made up of six appointed by Westmorland and Furness Council, four appointed by Cumberland Council and 10 appointed by the Secretary of State to represent the national interest and Parish Councils in the national park.
It comes as the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is looking for 30 new Secretary of State appointed board members across all national parks and national landscapes, including two board members in the Lake District.
Tiffany Hunt, chair of the Lake District National Park Authority, said: “As England’s largest and most visited National Park, the Lake District is a spectacular landscape like no other and the National Park Authority has an important part to play in its care and management.
“As a board member you will have a key role in helping to protect this World Heritage Site and its cultural heritage.
“You will also help people enjoy this special place and ensure that the National Park is a vibrant place in which to live, work and visit.
“I look forward to welcoming board members who can bring a fresh perspective and diversity of thinking as we continue working with partners in drawing up a new Partnership Plan for the Park in 2025.”
Mary Creagh, CBE, Minister for Nature, said in a letter to potential applicants: “Covering 25 per cent of England, but half of our priority habitats, Protected Landscapes organisations are essential to nature’s recovery and restoration. They also lead the way on many cross-cutting priorities.
“To work on Protected Landscapes is to work on flood prevention, affordable house building, water quality, health inequalities, sustainable food production, green jobs and so much more. As a member, your vision will shape the future of these landscapes, and therefore the country.
“You’ll accelerate delivery of our statutory biodiversity targets and international commitment to protect 30 per cent of nature by 2030. You’ll do this by collaborating with local communities, farmers, land managers and public bodies to ensure that these living landscapes thrive for people and nature.
“We want to create conditions for success, innovation and collaboration that create new opportunities and resources for protected landscapes.”
If you would like to apply to become a board member at LDNPA, the deadline is Monday, 19 May. You can apply here.
