Hannah Blythyn, Deputy Minister for Housing and Local Government, has announced three new appointments to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority and two reappointments to the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority.

The newly appointed members to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority are:

• Dr Madeleine Havard, Mr Gwynn Angell Jones and Mrs Sarah Hoss; Dr Havard and Mr Jones from 1 June 2019 to 31 May 2023, and Mrs Hoss from 1 December 2019 to 31 May 2023.

The Deputy Minister has also confirmed the re-appointment of two members to Brecon Beacons National Park Authority:

• Mr Edward Evans and Mr Ian Rowat – re-appointed from 1 December 2019 for up to two years, or until a Statutory Instrument reducing the membership of the Board from 24 to 18 comes into effect – whichever happens soonest.

Members of the National Park Authorities are paid £3,735.00 per annum reflecting a time commitment of 4 days per month.

These appointments have been made in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments.

Hannah Blythyn said:

“Our National Parks are a precious resource for the many thousands of people who visit them every year.

“These new appointments will bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the management of Pembrokeshire Coast and the Brecon Beacons National Park Authorities. I look forward to seeing them playing a positive role in the future of our National Parks.”

Chair of Brecon Beacons National Park Authority Cllr Gareth Ratcliffe said:

“We really welcome retaining the expertise, enthusiasm and knowledge of Ed Evans and Ian Rowat for an additional short term, and thank the Minister for her understanding during this interim period before we reduce the size of the Authority.”

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority Chairman Cllr Paul Harries said:

“The Authority is delighted to welcome the new Members, who will offer a fresh perspective on matters impacting on the National Park, including the new National Park Management Plan, which is due to be adopted in the coming months.”

The National Park Authorities were established under the provision of the Environment Act 1995.  The National Park Authorities have two statutory purposes under the Environment Act 1995:

• To conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the National Parks.
• To promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the Park by the public.

As well as seeking to fulfil their two statutory purposes the National Park Authorities have a duty to foster the economic and social well being of their local communities.

The National Park Authorities (Wales) Order 1995 states responsibility for appointing the board of the National Park Authorities is shared between the constituent Local Authorities and the Welsh Ministers. Schedule 2 of the Order states that:

• The Board of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority must be 18 Members in total with the number of Members appointed by Local Authorities being 12 and the number appointed by Welsh Ministers being 6.
• The Board of the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority must be 24 members in total, with the number of Members appointed by Local Authorities being 16 and the number appointed by Welsh Ministers being 8.
• All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process.  However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for the political activity of appointees (if any declared) to be published.

Dr Madeleine Havard has declared she has not undertaken any political activity in the past five years. She currently holds one other Ministerial Appointment – she is a Trustee of Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales.

Gwynn Angell Jones has declared he has not undertaken any political activity in the past five years. He does not currently hold any other Ministerial Appointments.

Sarah Hoss has declared she has not undertaken any political activity in the past five years. She does not currently hold any other Ministerial Appointments.

Edward Evans has declared he has not undertaken any political activity in the past five years. He does not currently hold any other Ministerial Appointments.

Ian Rowat has declared he has not undertaken any political activity in the past five years. He does not currently hold any other Ministerial Appointments.