Following the Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at the National Park Atuhority offices earlier today (Friday 27th June 2014), the new Chairman, Cllr Geraint Hopkins and Deputy Chairman, Mrs Melanie Doel were elected, along with the Chairs and Deputies of the Planning and Audit and Scrutiny Committees.
In the AGM held earlier this morning, Cllr Geraint Hopkins, a councillor from Powys County Council was unanimously appointed by all Members present as the new Chairman for Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority. Cllr Hopkins succeeds Mrs Julie James, a representative appointed by the Welsh Government. Mrs Melanie Doel, former BBC presenter and now appointed to the Authority by the Welsh Government was also unanimously elected as Deputy Chairman for the Park Authority.
In her outgoing speech to Members, Mrs James asked Members to endorse the pledge she had made in a previous committee meeting to confirm that the National Park Authority will become the first dementia friendly National Park in the UK which was voted in unanimously by Members. She also spoke of the pleasure and privilege she has had serving as Chairman for the last three years.
Addressing Members on his appointment as Chairman, Cllr Geraint Hopkins thanked the outgoing Chairman for all her support and said: “It is a huge honour to be elected as Chairman to the Authority by my colleagues and I look forward to working with them all over the next year to lead this Authority forward.”
Mrs Melanie Doel, new Deputy Chairman of Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority said: “These are challenging times for the National Park Authority and I look forward to supporting the Chairman and our excellent team of Members and staff in the coming year.”
John Cook, Chief Executive for Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority said: “I would like to extend a warm welcome to Cllr Hopkins as our new Chairman and Mrs Melanie Doel as Deputy Chairman. The Officers of this Authority look forward to working with them both and all of our Members over the next year. I would also like to extend a sincere thank you to Mrs Julie James, our outgoing Chairman, who has led the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority for the past three years with strong leadership, sound judgement and unrivalled passion.”
Cllr Evan Morgan from Powys County Council was re-elected for his fourth year as the Chairman of Planning, Access and Rights of Way (PAROW) and Mr Martin Buckle, a representative appointed by the Welsh Government was re-elected for his as Deputy Chairman of PAROW.
Mr Alan Lovell, a Welsh Government appointed Member was re-elected for his fourth year as Chairman of Audit and Scrutiny with Deputy Chairman Cllr Ann Webb from Monmouthshire County Council was re-elected as Deputy Chairman for her third year.
For further information on changes to the committee structure and membership, please visit the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority’s website at www.beacons-npa.gov.uk
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