Issued by Cairngorms National Park Authority

Cairngorms National Park Authority elections online information session

Residents of the Cairngorms National Park will go to the polls in March to elect five members to the Board of the Cairngorms National Park Authority. If you are interested and want to find out more, you can log into an online information session next Wednesday evening (18 January).

If you are passionate about the Cairngorms National Park and want to help shape the Park’s future for the benefit of its communities and wildlife, this could be the role for you. There are five places on the Board to be elected and the Park Authority are looking for people who are representative of those who live and work here.

Xander McDade is the current Board Convener, he is a Ministerial appointment and joined the Board in 2018.

“We held a series of in-person information sessions before Christmas but appreciate that not everyone could attend, so hopefully this online gathering will prove useful for people to help them to find out more about what is involved in being on the Board of the Cairngorms National Park Authority.

“We are keen to see candidates from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences come forward for the elections. It is a rewarding and varied role, offering people the chance to make a difference to life in the Park, working with partners to tackle critical issues that relate to its people, nature and places and ultimately address the climate and nature emergencies.”

The Cairngorms National Park Authority Board guides and shapes the work of the Park Authority, ensuring that both the natural environment and the local communities are cared for and sustained for current and future generations.

Directly elected Members sit on the Board for a period of four years, serving alongside seven members who are appointed by the five local authorities covering the Park area and seven directly appointed by Scottish Government Ministers. Candidates must be over 21 years old but do not have to reside within the Park boundary, with all members being paid for two to three days per month for their time.

The Highland Council run the elections on behalf of the Cairngorms National Park Authority.

To attend the meeting from 6.30pm-7.30pm, please book on Eventbrite.For more information about the elections please visit www.cairngorms.co.uk/elections or call: 01479 873535.