Update on Cairngorms National Park Elections

Postal ballot papers for the election of four community representatives to serve on the Cairngorms National Park Authority will be arriving on Friday at the homes of 10,861 electors within the Park boundary.

Voters have until 4 pm on Wednesday 15 March to return their ballot papers and votes will be counted that evening at Talla Nan Ros, Kingussie.

There will be two three-way contests and two two-way contests.

Each candidate has provided the Returning Officer – Arthur McCourt, Chief Executive of The Highland Council – with a statement containing their perspective on matters relating to the Park. These statements accompany the ballot papers.

In Aberdeen/Angus, Geva Blackett, Clunie Cottage, Invercauld, Braemer, has been elected to the board as a community representative, being the only person to return a valid nomination form when the deadline arrived earlier in the month.

The Returning Officer will also make available a large copy of the ballot paper and a device to aid blind or partially sighted voters cast their vote. These are available in Council Service Points and at the Town Hall, Elgin from Monday 26 February.

The 25-strong Park Authority also comprises 10 appointees of the Scottish Executive and 10 local council nominees (five from The Highland Council; three from Aberdeenshire Council; one from Moray Council and one from Angus Council).

At 3,800 kms in size, the Cairngorms National Park will be the most extensive in Great Britain. It will be formally established on 25 March, 2003.