Vacancy -- Member - Snowdonia National Park Authority

What are National Parks?

National Parks are landscapes of international importance.  Although predominantly rural in nature they are close to important urban communities and have significant potential to enrich the lives of the people of, and visitors to, Wales and to contribute positively to the Welsh economy.  A key task of National Park Authorities is to help ensure that these special areas will in the future, be places with a richer and more diverse landscape, wildlife and heritage than today, enjoyed and cherished by a full cross section of society.

What is their role?

The National Park Authorities have two statutory purposes under the Environment Act 1995:

• to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the National Parks;

• to promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities [of the Park] by the public.

As well as seeking to fulfil their two statutory purposes the National Park Authorities have a duty to foster the economic and social well being of their local communities.

If it appears that there is a conflict between these purposes, greater weight shall be attached to the purpose of conserving and enhancing the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the area within the National Park.

How do they Achieve their Purposes?

These purposes are achieved by effective development control management and by the effective exercise of their duty to promote the public’s understanding and enjoyment of these special areas.  The National Park Authorities are the planning and mineral authorities for their areas.

National Park Authorities are responsible for producing development plans for their areas and for development control.  Each Authority is required to prepare a National Park Management Plan.  The Plan sets out policies for the management of the Park and for the organisation and provision of services and facilities by the National Park Authority to achieve National Park purposes.  It includes policies for the management of the land in the National Park and forms the basis for collaboration not only with statutory and voluntary conservation organisations, but also with other public and private landowners.  Consultation during the preparation of the Plan allows people to contribute to achieving workable policies and is essential to sympathetic co-operation with residents and other interests in the Park.  The National Park Authority will involve key stakeholders such as Natural Resource Wales, the Welsh Local Government Association and Town and Community Councils in the preparation of National Park Management Plans as well and will play a key role in the development of the and Local Development Plan.

What is their Structure and Membership?

Under the Environment Act 1995 and the Local Government (Wales) Act 1994 the three Welsh National Park Authorities are special purpose local Authorities.  They are corporate bodies with executive powers.  The purposes of the Parks are the same in England and Wales but the membership of the National Park Authorities in each country differs.

In Wales two thirds of the seats are filled by councillors of constituent local authorities to reflect local interests and one third by appointments made by the Welsh Government to represent the national interest.  When appointing members to sit on National Park Authorities (NPAs), local authorities are encouraged to use councillors representing wards either wholly or partly within the Park boundary. There are 24 members of the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority.

Where do National Parks get their money?

The Welsh Government provides the National Park Authorities with their funding in the form of the National Park Grant (NPG).  Two thirds of NPG come from the Welsh Government directly with the remaining one third levied by the Park Authorities from their constituent local authorities.  Additional grant is available from the Welsh Government for prescribed capital expenditure.  NPAs also have income from, for example, trading activities, car parking fees and planning application fees.  The Minister for Natural Resources issues to the National Park Authorities an annual strategic grant letter setting out agreed priorities and objectives for the National Park Authorities for the year ahead.

What will You be Expected to Do?

National Park members are responsible, individually and collectively, to the Welsh Government for providing effective leadership for the National Park Authority, for setting its policy and for ensuring that it meets its objectives within the statutory, policy and financial framework laid down for it.  Members have a duty to act at all times within the law, in good faith and in the best interests of the National Park, and to be scrupulous in ensuring that their public position is at no time compromised in favour of private interests, or gives rise to suspicion that this has been done.

Key Tasks:

To provide effective leadership for the National Park Authority, in particular in defining and developing its strategic direction and in setting challenging objectives;

To ensure that the National Park Authority’s activities are conducted and promoted in as efficient and effective a manner as possible;

To ensure that strategies are developed for meeting the National Park Authority’s overall economic and social objectives, in accordance with the policies and priorities established by the Welsh Government;

To monitor the National Park Authority’s performance to ensure that it fully meets its aims, objectives and performance targets;

To ensure that the National Park Authority’s control, regulation and monitoring of its activities, as well as those of any other bodies, which it may sponsor or support, ensure value for money within a framework of best practice, regularity and propriety and to participate in the corporate planning process;

To promote the Welsh Government’s sustainable development, equality and social inclusion objectives.

What Skills or Knowledge do You Need?

Individuals are selected on their personal qualities and experience and not as representatives of particular organisations or groups.  The Welsh Government aims for each Park Authority to have a balance of expertise in all areas relevant to that Authority.

Appointees should have:

• the ability to apply their skills and experience to provide leadership in the diverse work of Park Authorities, such as public administration; conservation of the natural, historic and cultural environment; architecture; outdoor recreation; working with communities or community groups; renewable energy; recycling,  farming; planning; tourism; transport and forestry;

• an appreciation of the purposes for which the Parks were designated and their national importance;

• an awareness of the interests of all who live or work in or visit the Parks;

• the ability to bring a national perspective to the work of the Authority;

• proven team working skills;

• proven communication skills;

• the time to attend National Park Authority meetings regularly (the time commitment required is, at least, four days per month);

• a clear understanding and commitment to equality issues and a proven ability to challenge discriminatory procedures, when appropriate;

• have a clear understanding and commitment to Nolan’s ‘Seven Principles of Public Life’.

• The ability to speak Welsh is desirable, but not essential

Members of Snowdonia National Park Authority receive a basic salary of £3,600 per annum, plus a responsibility allowance.

Travel and other reasonable expenses that might be incurred in carrying out work for the Snowdonia National Park Authority can be claimed from the Park Authority within the recognised limits.  You may also be eligible to claim reimbursement for costs in relation to child care/care of the elderly/assistant carer, while carrying out work on behalf of the Authority.  If you would like further information about whether you would be eligible for care allowances, please contact Snowdonia National Park Authority or Emily Kennedy on 02920821529 or Emily.kennedy@wales.gsi.gov.uk