Secretary of State appoints new Member to National Park Authority

Secretary of State for the Environment, Michael Gove MP, has appointed a new Member to Dartmoor National Park Authority. Dr Rob Parkinson has lived in Ilsington for more than 35 years.  He spent his working life in Higher Education, for 20 years as Principal Lecturer in Soil & Environmental Management at Seale-Hayne College, Newton Abbot. Latterly he held the post of Senior Lecturer in the School of Biological Sciences at Plymouth University, where his teaching and research interests focused on issues of resource management in rural systems.  Recently retired, Rob is continuing to develop his local community interests and love of the outdoors, being an active fell runner and orienteer, volunteer surveyor with Natural England, Chair of Ilsington Village Hall committee and occasional village shop assistant. He has a passion for sharing a wider understanding and enjoyment of Dartmoor’s landscape and history. The primary role of each Member is to work with the Chairman, Chief Executive (National Park Officer) and other Members to discharge the functions of the Authority and to steer and champion the strategic direction of the Authority so that it delivers benefits to the nation and its local communities in accordance with National Park purposes.Bill Hitchins, Chairman, Dartmoor National Park Authority, said:‘Dartmoor National Park is one of the UK’s finest landscapes. It is renowned for its dramatic expanses of open country, impressive granite tors, gentle river valleys, woodland and farmed land. It has internationally important wildlife species and habitats, historic buildings and settlements and is one of the most important places for Bronze Age archaeology in western Europe. It is also where people live and work and where millions visit to enjoy its many wonders.  I am delighted to welcome Rob Parkinson on to the Authority. His strong local connections and knowledge of Dartmoor and rural issues will be of great benefit to the Authority, helping guide our work over the coming years.’NotesRob Parkinson has been appointed until 31 March 2022.The appointment is made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Ministerial Code on Public Appointments, and has been made on merit. There is a requirement for appointees’ political activity during the past five years (if significant) to be declared. Rob Parkinson has not declared any significant political activity.The Authority comprises 19 Members.Five are appointed by Devon County CouncilFive by the District Councils:• two from West Devon Borough Council• two from Teignbridge District Council• one from South Hams District CouncilThe remaining nine Members are Government appointees.Four of these are appointed to represent parish council interests and are nominated by the parish councils on Dartmoor. The nominations are then approved by the Secretary of State.The other five Members are directly appointed by the Secretary of State to represent the national interest and are persons, usually local, with specialist knowledge of, or a particular interest in, the National Park.Members are usually appointed for an initial period of up to 4 years, with the option of re-appointment for a period of up to ten years.  The diverse membership helps provide the balance of local and national interests that is essential to the management of a National Park.