Confusion Over Park Board Membership

A BSCG comment was included in article in the Scotsman newspaper concerning confusion over membership of the Cairngorms national park board:

"Executive to fill gap in new park board"

FIONA STEWART The Scotsman 12th May 2003

THE Scottish Executive has been handed a problem with the make-up of the new Cairngorm National Park board only weeks after being set up, after a councillor appointed to the authority failed to retain his seat on his local council.

Bob Severn was one of the five nominated Highland Council members in Badenoch and Strathspey approved by the Scottish Executive to serve on the 25-strong park board which was formally established on 25 March.

But Mr Severn was beaten in the 1 May council election for the Badenoch East constituency and under a "gentleman’s agreement" is now due to stand down from the park board.

His place would normally be taken by the man who beat him to become a councillor, Gregor Rimell. However Mr Rimell already has a place on the park board, having won an election to appoint community representatives. It was unclear yesterday what course of action will be taken to fill the gap and talks are continuing between Highland Council, the park officials and the Executive to resolve the problem.

Mr Rimell could not be contacted for comment. But should he take over Mr Severn’s place he will serve on the park board for 18 months and possibly create a by-election to appoint a community representative.

However, Mr Rimell was elected to serve on the board for four years and may be reluctant to give that up. If he doesn’t, the council would have to nominate another councillor who would live and work outside the park area.

Adding to the intrigue is that, if there is a by-election for the community post, Mr Severn says he will stand.

Mr Severn said: "I will gladly honour the agreement and stand down and will do so once the situation is resolved. I’m also prepared to stay on for the 18 months if that is decided.

"I don’t know what Mr Rimell wishes to do, but if there is a by-election for the community post then I am willing for my name to go forward."

Opponents of the park set-up yesterday said they warned the executive about possible difficulties by establishing the park boards ahead of the 1 May elections.

Dave Morris, Scottish officer for the Ramblers’ Association, said: "This is precisely what we warned the government about some months ago. We urged them not to set up the park board until after the council election. What happens now?

"Morally, Bob Severn has to stand down immediately and Gregor Rimell would then occupy that place. An election should then be held for the place Gregor Rimell holds."

Mr Morris said it would be unacceptable for the community place to be given to the person who came second behind Mr Rimell in the election, or for Highland Council to simply nominate another councillor.

He said the opportunity should also be taken to change the park boundary to include Highland Perthshire, which many people have been campaigning for, and to give the park board full planning powers instead of sharing them with local authorities.

Dr Gus Jones, the convener of Badenoch & Strathspey Conservation Group, is also critical of the situation.

He said: "Had the park been delayed, not only would this highly unsatisfactory situation have been avoided, but proper attention could have been given to the very considerable concerns remaining over the area of the park, most notably the omission of parts of Perthshire.

"If this park is going to work the parliament must sort out the outstanding issues of the boundary and planning arrangements as an urgent priority."

The park board said yesterday the situation was a matter for the Highland Council and the Scottish Executive

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