Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park board cut call

Nov 28 2008 by Tina Kemp, Lennox Herald (main ed)

PROPOSALS to change to the size and membership of the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park board have gone out to consultation.

Environment Minister Michael Russell unveiled the proposals to reduce the size of the board from 25 members, increase the proportion of directly elected members and introduce a national parks strategy group chaired by ministers.

Mr Russell said: “Both Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, and the Cairngorms are important places for Scotland and as the Parliamentary debate showed earlier this year, there is huge enthusiasm for them.

“I believe reducing the size of the board and increasing the proportion of directly elected members will increase local accountability. The strategy group will provide a good mechanism for advising ministers on possible future national park designations and boundary issues and on issues such as planning powers.”

The consultation will run for three months.