About Exmoor National Park Authority
Exmoor was designated as a National Park in 1954. Since then, the co-ordination of work to achieve National Park purposes in the area has been undertaken by local government and since 1997 by a free standing Exmoor National Park Authority.
Exmoor National Park Authority decides what measures to take to achieve the two National Park purposes;
"To conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the National Park"
"To promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the National Park by the public"
In carrying out these purposes the Authority has a duty to seek to foster the economic and social well-being of local communities within the national parks
All planning applications within the National Park area are determined by the National Park Authority and applications are dealt with at our offices in Dulverton. Planning policies are there to ensure both rural prosperity and the protection and enhancement of the special character of Exmoor.
Who runs the Authority?
| Type of Member | How Many? | How are they appointed? |
|---|---|---|
| Parish | 5 | Five Parish members are appointed by the Secretary of State after they are elected by Parish Councils in the National Park. Parish members must be either a Parish Councillor or the Chairman of a Parish Meeting. Parish members are appointed to ensure that local people are involved in the running of the National Park; they are representatives of the local people in the National Park as a whole not just their own parish. Their term of office usually ends when parish council elections are held (every four years) unless there is a casual vacancy in the meantime. |
County Council | 10 | Local Authority members must be serving councillors of their appointing local authority (either Somerset Council or Devon County Council). The Environment Act requires the local authority to have regard to the desirability of appointing members who represent divisions or wards situated wholly or partly within the National Park boundary. They should also have relevant experience and close links to the National Park. Councillors must stand for re-election to their council every four years. The historic make-up of the National Park Authority changed following the formation of Somerset Council on 1 April 2023 Historic: From 1 April 2023 |
| District Council | 2 | Local Authority members must be serving councillors of their appointing local authority (North Devon Council). The Environment Act requires the local authority to have regard to the desirability of appointing members who represent divisions or wards situated wholly or partly within the National Park boundary. They should also have relevant experience and close links to the National Park. Councillors must stand for re-election to their council every four years. The historic make-up of the National Park Authority changed following the formation of Somerset Council on 1 April 2023 Historic From 1 April 2023 |
| Secretary of State | 5 | Five members are appointed by the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and are selected for their ability to represent a wider national viewpoint and for their specialist experience in relation to the particular character of the National Park. These Secretary of State appointed members are usually appointed for a period of four years but can be re-appointed, usually up to a maximum of eight years in total. Details will be included on the website when Secretary of State members are proposed to be appointed. |
| Total | 22 |
Members' Interests: Under Exmoor National Park Authority's Code of Conduct, Members are required to register personal interests, for example: membership of bodies to which the Authority has appointed them; membership of bodies exercising functions of a public nature (eg Parish, District or County Council); membership of any organisation directed to charitable purposes; or membership of any organisation whose principal purposes include the influence of public opinion or policy or which might create a conflict of interest in carrying out the duties of a Member of Exmoor National Park Authority.
Details of Members' interests can be found on each individual Member page - available to view here. The full Register of Members' Interests is available for inspection at the Authority's offices at Exmoor House, Dulverton, Somerset. For further information please contact the Corporate Support Officer at jcoles@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk or 01398 322250.
Members' Allowances: Members receive an allowance and the Local Authorities (Members' Allowances) (England) Regulations 2003 require the Authority to adopt a scheme of allowances before the start of each financial year: Scheme of Members' Allowances 2023-24.
- About Exmoor National Park Authority
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Contact details
Exmoor National Park Authority,
Exmoor House,
Dulverton,
Somerset, TA22 9HL
Tel: 01398 323665
Email: info@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk
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