The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority has a new Chairman – Cllr Paul Harries of Newport.
He was voted in as the new Chairman at the Authority’s Annual General Meeting and succeeds Mrs Gwyneth Hayward, who had served as Chair since 2017.
Cllr Harries said:
“I would like to thank Mrs Hayward for her commitment and dedication during her time with the Authority to upholding the purposes of the National Park and for her extremely valued contribution to steering the work of the organisation.
“I know Mrs Hayward will be sadly missed throughout the family of National Parks and we wish her well. I very much look forward to taking up my role as Chair and continuing the excellent work carried out by Mrs Hayward.”
Born and brought up in Pembrokeshire, Cllr Harries has been a Member of the Park Authority since 2012, having been elected county councillor for Newport that same year. He was Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council in 2017.
Cllr Harries lived in Milford Haven and Crymych before moving to Newport as a child and has lived there ever since. Before becoming a councillor he worked in the oil industry for many years as a petroleum inspector, travelling to ports across the UK. He retired in 2007 and is now owner of a Post Office and shop in Newport.
Cllr Harries is a keen hill walker, climber and sailor with a special interest in the biodiversity and ecology of the Park. He is a Trustee of the newly established Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Trust.
During his time as Chairman, Cllr Harries will represent the Park Authority on the Executive Committee of National Parks Wales and the UK Association of National Park Authorities.
The new Deputy Chair is Cllr Mrs Di Clements who has been a Member of the Authority since 2017.
