Chair and Deputy Chair re-elected for another year

Pamela Woods has been re-elected chair of Dartmoor National Park Authority with Peter Harper re-elected as Deputy Chair (both pictured, above).  

The appointments were made on Friday 10 June at the Authority’s annual meeting at Parke, Bovey Tracey. 

Ms Woods has served as Chair since 2019 but served on various committees before that and was formerly an independent member of the Authority's Standards Committee. In a career of senior management and consultancy, she worked with a range of not-for-profit public and private organisations on strategic planning reviews and advising on constitutional and governance issues. 

She has lived in Dartmoor for 30 years and strongly supports the view that conservation of National Parks' unique characteristics should be balanced with the day-to-day needs of people who live and work there.

Mr Harper has lived and worked in the National Park for most of his life. A former Army officer in the Air Army Corps, he later went into business and ran the family's agri-business. He was appointed to the Authority in 2008 and served as Chair for two years. His passion for Dartmoor has been used to great effect as a Ten Tors team manager for more than 20 years, which also involves helping to organise the event.  

Ms Woods said she is as committed as ever to making Dartmoor a better place for people, nature and habitats. "I have had no greater privilege than to have served as Chair of Dartmoor National Park Authority for the past three years and to thank members and officers for their continued support," she said. 

Her vision of the Authority, she said, was unchanged and is of an organisation that is sufficiently well-resourced to fulfil its purposes and develop services beyond the minimum requirements; governed by an inclusive and committed Authority; staffed by a resourceful and effective professional team and is in constructive communication with the communities. 

But, she said, external pressures are impacting on these elements including a fair funding settlement from the government for England's National Parks. "I will continue to support the Chief Executive to press for a realistic level of grant and, with Members and Officers, to seek other sources of income," she added. 

"Discussions on National Park Authority governance, arising from recommendations made in the Glover Review, are still ongoing and I continue to emphasise the importance of local connection and accountability alongside national appointees. This is essential if we are to continue to build and maintain relationships with the people who live and work on Dartmoor, as well as those who visit us."

Philip Sanders was reappointed Chair of the Development Management Committee, with James McInnes as Deputy Chair.

Sally Morgan was elected Chair of the Audit and Governance and Andrew Cooper was elected as Deputy Chair. 

Sally Morgan was elected Chair of the Standards Sub-Committee. 

Naomi Oakley was elected Chair of the Park Management Working Panel.

Philip Vogel was elected as Chair of the Planning and Sustainable Development Working Panel.