Cairngorms National Park Elections

Notice is given today (Wednesday) of an election for five community representatives to serve on the Cairngorms National Park Authority board for a four year period from 15 March.

Letters from Returning Officer, Arthur McCourt, Chief Executive of The Highland Council, have arrived at the homes of 13,195 residents, who live within the Park boundary advising them of the election timetable. One candidate will be elected for each of the five wards within the Park area, which include three wards in Highland, one in Aberdeenshire/Moray and one in Aberdeenshire/Angus.

Anyone wishing to be a candidate has until 4 pm on Wednesday 7 February to lodge their nomination papers. Candidates must be 21 years of age or over but need not be resident in the ward for which they wish to stand, nor the Park area generally.

In the event of an election being required, the poll will be by postal vote, with ballot papers posted out on Thursday 22 February. Close of poll is 4 pm on Thursday 15 March and counting will take place immediately at Talla nan Ros, Kingussie, with the successful candidates announced that evening.

The Park Authority also comprises 20 appointees of the Scottish Executive, 10 of whom are appointed directly and 10 who are nominated by local councils (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 is the most extensive in Great Britain. It was formally established on 25 March, 2003.
                                          
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