Hopefuls bid for board spot

Elections will fill five vacancies

Candidates standing in elections to become board members for Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park have been announced.

But to vote for them you have to be registered by today (Friday).

The elections are to fill five vacancies on the park authority board which is responsible for making key decision concerning the park .

Nominations to stand for election closed on May 31. Residents of the National Park now have the opportunity to have their say on who joins the board in a postal ballot to choose five locally elected members – one for each of the five wards in the park.

LLTNPA convener James Stuart said: “The board plays a crucial role in setting the strategic direction of the national park authority and our board members’ knowledge and expertise make a significant contribution to the decision-making process.

“It’s a privilege to contribute to the safe-keeping of this special part of Scotland, so I wish everyone standing in these elections the best of luck.

“I would encourage everyone eligible to take a few moments to read through each candidate’s statement in your ward and cast your vote. This is your opportunity to choose the candidate who is right for your National Park, so don’t miss out on the chance to have your say.”

The election is by a postal ballot organised by Stirling Council on behalf of the national park. Voters will shortly receive a ballot paper and the nomination statements of each of the candidates to help them decide for whom to vote.

Anyone over 16 who lives in the national park area and is registered to vote by today (Friday) can have their say. Ballots will be issued from June 14 and must be returned by post in the prepaid envelope provided before 4pm on July 5. The election count will take place at the park authority headquarters on July 5 and those elected will take up their posts as board members immediately after the result. The term in office is until July 6, 2022.

The board is made up of five locallyelected members, six local authority appointments (from the four councils present in the National Park: Argyll & Bute, Stirling, West Dunbartonshire and Perth and Kinross), and six ministerial appointments.

For more information on the elections, visit: www.lochlomondtrossachs.org/elections.