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Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park
11/09/2007
Minister for Environment, Michael Russell today announced the appointment of five new members and five re-appointed members to Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority. These appointments are made on the nomination of local authorities.
The new members are:
Councillor Fergus Wood ( Stirling Council) is member for Trossachs and Teith ward. He is a farmer and tourist operator in the Trossachs. He has had a long connection with the military and was awarded the Territorial Decoration (TD) in 1978. His hobby, which is now a profession, is Celtic Music.
Councillor David Goss ( StirlingCouncil) is member for Dunblane and Bridge of Allan ward. He is a self employed as a Forest Consultant and Director of RSFS Forest Trust Company (charitable company). He is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Foresters and is a past president of the Royal Scottish Forestry Society. He founded and established 'The Forest for A Thousand Years' on Loch Lomondside. This millennium project has 1000 acres of native woodlands with a native forest centre, with miles of walks, views and interesting features.
Councillor Craig McLaughlin ( West DunbartonshireCouncil) is member of Lomond ward and has been a councillor since 1995. He has considerable business experience and has excellent networks both within the local and businesses communities in the area. He serves on the West Dunbartonshire Council committees for planning, economic regeneration and housing & leisure. He is also Convenor of Corporate Services and has a role of overseeing the Council's £230m budget.
Councillor Ron Simon (Argyll and ButeCouncil) is former owner of Booksellers and Valuers based in Dunoon and Director of Argyll, Lomond and The Islands Energy Agency. He is Argyll and Bute Council's deputy spokesperson for the economy, environment and rural affairs and chair of policy performance group for economy. He has been involved with the National Park at a community level as director of Benmore and Kilmun Community Development Trust. He has a lot of experience in events management and is passionate about rural development, conservation, biodiversity and enhancement of environmental assets to promote the National Park to more diverse visitor markets.
Councillor Bob Ellis ( Perthand Kinross Council) has been a councillor for 12 years and has served on the Development Control Committee and Planning (Enterprise and Infrastructure) Committee as well as Appeal Committees. He is current Chairman of Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust. He was vice chairman of the Perth and Kinross Outdoor Access Forum and is chairman for 10 years of the Path Network Group. He is a regular recreational visitor to the National Park.
Re-appointed members are:
Councillor Colin O'Brien ( Stirling) represents the West Stirlingshire area on Stirling Council. He was a member of the Park's Interim Committee and currently chairs the Human Resources Group and the Remuneration Committee. He was Provost of Stirling from 2003-2007 and presently has responsibility for Resources, the Economy and Corporate Affairs for the Council. He is a former Secondary Headteacher and lives in Drymen, within the Park.
Councillor Tony Ffinch (Stirling) is a member for the Trossachs and Teith Ward. He was a member of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs Interim Committee, is the acting chairman of the Trossachs Tourist Association and former Chairman of the Strathyre Association. Following a career in IT he helped his wife run a B&B. He is the chairman of the Regulatory Functions Panel on Stirling Council and sits on a number of other commitees including Planning.
Councillor Denis Agnew ( West Dunbartonshire) holds the position of Provost of West Dunbartonshire Council and in the previous administration he held convenerships in Culture Services, Education and Cultural Services, Audit and Performance and Leader of the Council. He has served on the National Park Planning Committee since being appointed to the Board in 2003. He is also a theatre arts practitioner, lecturer and academic. He lives in Clydebank.
Councillor William Petrie OBE JP DL (Argyll and Bute) is the current Postmaster at Rhu. He is Convener of Argyll and Bute Council; Chairman of Argyll, the Isles, Loch Lomond and Forth Valley Tourist Forum; local Councillor for Luss Loch Lomond, Rhu, Arrochar, Tarbet, Ardlui and Glen Fruin; and Chairman of the Sir Walter Scott Steam Ship and Loch Katrine Project Trust.
Councillor Bruce Marshall (Argyll and Bute) served on the Loch Lomond and Trossachs Interim Committee for the National Park and has been a board member since the Park was established. He has a great appreciation of the countryside having lived in Cowal all his life, working as sheep farmer. He campaigned vigorously for the successful of inclusion of places such as Loch Eck and Benmore Botanical Gardens within the national park boundary. He is chair of the Marine Environment Sub Group which seeks to open up access to coastal villages within the Park Gateway.
These appointments will be for four years and will run from September 1, 2007 to August 31, 2011.
These posts are part-time and attract a remuneration of £189.59 for a time commitment of 2-3 days per month.
None of the appointees hold any other Ministerial public appointments.
In accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees' political activity (if there is any to be declared) to be made public.
Councillors Simon, Ellis, Wood and McLaughlin have undertaken political activity for the Scottish National Party.
Councillor Ffinch has undertaken political activity for the Scottish Conservative Party.
Councillor O'Brien has undertaken political activity for the Scottish Labour Party.
Councillor Goss has undertaken political activity for the Scottish Liberal Democrats.
The National Park Authority has 25 members. Its purpose is to deliver the four statutory aims for the National Park in a collective and co-ordinated way.
The National Park's statutory aims are to:
- Conserve and enhance the natural and cultural heritage of the area
- Promote sustainable use of the natural resources of the area
- Promote understanding and enjoyment (including enjoyment in the form of recreation) of the special qualities of the area by the public
- Promote sustainable economic and social development of the area's communities
This updates information on appointments to Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority contained in the news release on Ministerial Appointments of July 9, 2007.