Candidates sought for seats on National Park Authority board

LOCH Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority is looking for nominees to stand in elections to sit on the National Park Authority board.

The National Park Authority board is responsible for making strategic decisions for the park and has an important part to play in helping to deliver the authority’s key aims.

Elections will be taking place via postal vote later this year to recruit five board members – one for each of the five wards in the park. The election count will take place on Thursday July 5 and those elected will take up their posts as board members immediately after the result.

Anyone over the age of 21 can stand as a candidate in these elections and candidates do not have to live in the national park area but must have the written support of 10 people who live in the ward in which they wish to stand.

Board members act as champions for the national park, providing direction and overseeing the development, approval and monitoring of important plans and strategies.

The national park is a special place which is of major significance to the people who live and work in the area, as well as to Scotland as a whole.

Convener of the National Park Authority, James Stuart, is keen to encourage nominations from a wide range of people. He said: ‘This is a unique opportunity to help shape the future of the national park and we are looking for individuals who can bring their experience and perspective to help influence priorities and make key decisions.

‘It is important to us that our board membership reflects not only our local communities but the country as a whole, to ensure that people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds are represented.

‘We offer full training to all those elected to help them carry out their duties and we are also holding drop-in events over the coming weeks to offer anyone thinking of standing the opportunity to ask for help and guidance on how to be a candidate.

‘I would encourage anyone who is interested in standing for election to either come along to these drop-in events or get in touch with us to find out how they can help protect and enhance this iconic place.’

The drop-in events will take place at the National Park Authority headquarters in Balloch on Thursday April 19 from 4.30pm to 7pm and on Monday April 23 from 2.30pm to 4.30pm where there will be the opportunity to find out how to become a candidate.