Authority members

The membership of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority is set out in legislation. It consists of 22 members: 12 appointed from the local County and District Councils and 10 appointed by the Secretary of State (six in recognition of the national status of the area and four to represent the parishes in the National Park).

In the spring of 2012, the parish appointment for the Craven East group of parishes will be up for election.

Parish Councils and Parish Meetings are invited to put forward a candidate. If there is more than one nominee there will be an election amongst the parish councils and parish meetings before the name of the successful candidate is submitted to the Secretary of State for approval.

To be eligible you must first be either a Parish Council member or Chairman of a Parish Meeting. Please click on the link to see a list of parishes within the Craven East (Wharfedale) group, or contact us on secretariat@yorkshiredales.org.uk.

You can also take part in the selection process by lobbying your Parish Council to support or oppose candidates who have been nominated.

General information on each category of membership, including general information on how appointments are made, terms of office etc can be found in the guidance note, Membership of the Authority.

The Authority has adopted a Scheme of Members' Allowances which sets out a range of allowances and expenses that are available for members of the Authority and for the independent members of the Authority's Standards Committee.

Allowances and expenses that have been paid to members in 2006/07; 2007/08, 2008/09, 2009/10 and 2010/11 are set out in a summary document that can be downloaded below:

• Members' expenses summary document

Public Involvement

All National Park Authorities have a Standards Committee which is responsible for promoting high standards of conduct by Authority members, advising on ethical issues, and consideration of any complaints that Authority members may have acted improperly. All Standards Committees have some independent members. Standards Committees are involved in the establishment of codes of conduct for members and monitoring their effectiveness, together with advising on training needs for members about conduct, and other governance issues.

Current Authority Members' details:

Carl Lis - Chairman

Craven District Council Appointee (District Councillor)

Featherbeck Close, Ingleton, Carnforth, Lancs LA6 3BB
Home tel: 015242 41399

Born in Penrith, Cumbria, Carl Lis has lived in Ingleton since 1982.  He is deeply involved in the local community and has been chairman of Ingleton Parish Council on which he has served for over fifteen years.  Since 1991 he has been the elected Craven District Councillor for the Ingleborough Ward, and was Leader of the Council for seven years in total, most recently 2003 to 2008.  He is Chairman of Ingleborough Community Centre Management Committee, Ingleton Rural Community Association, Ingleton Scout Executive and Ingleton Football Club, and is also chairman of the Ingleton Primary School Board of Governors.

Carl was awarded an OBE in the 2009 New Years Honours, for his services to the communities of North Yorkshire.

Carl worked in the quarrying industry for forty years and was manager of Ingleton Quarry for Hanson Aggregates for over twenty years.He was appointed to the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority in 1996 and was Chairman from 2004 to 2008.  He was re-elected chairman in July 2009.

Harold Brown - Deputy Chairman

Secretary of State Appointee (Parish Councillor) - Deputy Chairman

Scarr House, Grinton, Richmond, North Yorkshire DL11 6JA
Tel: 01748 884479

A born and bred dalesman, having farmed at Grinton since 1951, Harold Brown has been Chairman of Grinton Parish Council since 1975.

As well as serving on the Authority he is a member of various organisations and committees including: the  Country Landowners  Association and the Yorkshire Agricultural Society.

He was elected deputy chairman of the Authority in July 2008.

Chris Armitage

Secretary of State Appointee

8 Copperclay Walk, Easingwold, York  YO61 3RU
Tel:  01347 824225

Chris Armitage was born in Leeds.  A civil service career saw him working and living in the West Midlands, the South West and the South East, before a very welcome return to North Yorkshire in the mid 1990s.  He worked in various Government Departments but spent many years working in the (then) Ministry of Agriculture and latterly Defra and was the Countryside Agency’s Yorkshire Regional Director from 1999 to 2001. Chris is an accredited practitioner and occasional trainer of Project & Programme Management.

Chris enjoys spending time with family and friends, listening to music, walking, current affairs and squash.

He is the Authority's Member Champion for Corporate Management.

Roger Bingham

Cumbria County Council Appointee (County Councillor)

The Smithy, Ackenthwaite, Milnthorpe, Cumbria  LA7 7DH
Tel: 015395 63694

Roger is a Westmorland man, born at Milnthorpe and educated at Milnthorpe and Heversham Primary and Grammar Schools before going on to Cambridge and other universities. He taught for 30 years, often in "tough" schools and including two years as a missionary in Trinidad.  

He is a long-serving Church of England Lay Reader and fully supports the community in many ways including governor of Queen Elizabeth and Milnthorpe Schools, collector for charities and supported of Youth Groups, and director of several arts organisations including Arts in Education, Prism Arts (for mentaly disabled adults) and Brewery Arts in Kendal.  

Roger is a professional historian and author of ten local books. He is a founder member of the Holme & District History Society and is a well-known public speaker.

He is an experienced councillor and is chairman of Cumbria County Council, where he has been councillor for Lower Kentdale for over 12 years.

Roger is the Member Champion for Conservation of Cultural Heritage.

John Blackie

North Yorkshire County Council Appointee (County Councillor)

Dryden House, Market Place, Hawes, North Yorkshire DL8 3RA
Work tel: 01969 667123, Home tel: 01969 667256

John Blackie runs a business in Hawes. Born in Hertfordshire he moved to Gayle, near Hawes, in 1995.

He has held and continues to hold a variety of County, District and Parish Council positions including: member of North Yorkshire County Council for the Upper Dales, Chairman of NYCC Scrutiny of Health Committee, member of the North Yorkshire Pension Fund Committee. member of Richmondshire District Council for Hawes & High Abbotside, , Chairman of Hawes & High Abbotside Parish Council.

He is also a member of the Wensleydale District Community Education Committee, a governor at Hawes County Primary School and Wensleydale School, Leyburn, a member of the Court of Leeds University, a member of the Objective 2 Programme Monitoring Committee, Chairman of the Objective 2 Capital Investment Panel, Director of the Upper Wensleydale Community Partnership (UWCP) Limited and Director of the Upper Wensleydale Sports and Recreational Association (UWSRA) Limited.

John is the Authority's Member Champion for Planning.

Ann Brooks

Secretary of State Appointee

Box Tree Cottage, Woodman Lane, Cowan Bridge, Carnforth, Lancashire LA6 2HT
Tel: 015242 72526

Born in South Wales, to parents from County Durham, Ann Brooks returned to the North East in the 1940s. She began her teaching career in 1961 and, for the 14 years before retirement in 1997, was headteacher at King George Comprehensive School in South Tyneside.

She was appointed to the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority as an independent member of the Standards Committee in January 2002 and was chair of that committee from January 2003 until appointment, by Secretary of State, to full Authority in April 2004. She is currently deputy chair of the Finance & Resources Committee.  Ann's interests include walking the dogs, music and all things rural.

Peter Charlesworth

Secretary of State Appointee

6 Briery Close, Ilkley, West Yorkshire LS29 9DL
Tel:  01943 608589

Born in Hull, Peter came to Leeds University and never went home. Living in a village between Leeds and Otley with his wife and two children, he was a barrister for over 20 years appearing in Courts all over Yorkshire. Appointed a Circuit Judge based in Leeds in 1989, he similarly presided in Courts throughout Yorkshire including hearing cases from the Dales when sitting at Skipton. Having been one of the youngest ever Judges to be appointed he became one of the youngest to retire after fifteen years in 2004. He still works part-time for the Parole Board.

Having always had a passion for the Dales and a frequent visitor, Peter bought a house in Threshfield in 1988 and now splits his time between there and Ilkley. He became a trustee and now Chairman of the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust and is a member of the Council of Management of the Yorkshire Dales Society. He is a keen walker, member of the Ramblers Association and has other interests including rugby league, of which he is Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee, and playing tennis.

Peter is deputy chairman of the Planning Committee

Andrew Colley

Secretary of State Appointee (Parish Councillor)

Lythe End, Wood Lane, Grassington, North Yorkshire BD23 5DF
Tel:  01756 753196

Now retired, Andrew Colley helps run a bed and breakfast business in Grassington where he and his wife have lived for twenty years. He enjoys walking in the Dales countryside, and he and his wife have kept rare breed sheep - Andrew has been chairman of the Dales Support Group of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust. His first love is fishing the River Wharfe which runs only three hundred yards past his house, on water run by the Grassington Angling Club, and on other stretches of water run by Yorkshire Anglers of which he is a life member.  He is a member of Grassington Parish Council.

Andrew is the Authority's Member Champion for Conservation of the Natural Environment.

Graham Dalton

Secretary of State Appointee (Parish Councillor)

Flintergill House, Dent, Cumbria LA10 5QR
Tel: 015396 25436

A Yorkshireman by both birth and inclination, Graham Dalton was Parish Clerk for almost two decades. He is currently chairman of the village hall committee in Dent.

Graham represents the three most western parishes in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, which are severed from the remainder by the watershed.

His main concern is the future for Dales communities in relation to demographic changes. His main spare time interest is the performing arts and he is a collector of local clocks.

Graham is chairman of the Planning Committee

Robert Gale

Richmondshire District Council Appointee (District Councillor)

Kitley Cottage, Whaw, Arkengarthdale, Richmond, North Yorkshire DL11 6RR
Tel: 01748 884779

Bob Gale was born in the small market town of Otley, a Yorkshireman through and through. For over thirty years he was a full-time fireman with the West Riding County Fire Service, rising through the ranks to become station commander, specialising in fire safety, training and fire investigation.

In 1996 Bob and his wife Shirley moved to Arkengarthdale. He is deeply involved in the local community and has been a member of the parish council for over twelve years. He is a member of the congregation (and handyman) at St Mary's Parish Church, and is a board member of Hudson House Community Centre in Reeth.

Bob is a keen player and member of Reeth Brass Band. He enjoys walking, and plays darts and quoits for local teams. He and Shirley have two sons and two grandchildren.

Malcolm Gardner

Richmondshire District Council Appointee (District Councillor)

Forge House, Healaugh, Richmond, North Yorkshire DL11 6UD
Tel: 01748 884113

Malcolm Gardner lives in Healaugh and is married to Wendy.

He is vice chairman of Reeth Parish Council, chairman of the Reeth & District Gazette, and chairman of the fireworks group.

He sits on Richmondshire District Council's planning and scrutiny committees.

Malcolm is a keen sea and course angler, and enjoys walking

Robert Heseltine

Craven District Council Appointee (Craven District Council)

The Ginnel Place, Newmarket Street, Skipton BD23 2JB
Tel: 07973 631030

Robert was born at Bolton Abbey and educated at Ermysteds Grammar School. His working life has centred around dales farming at the family farm at Bolton Abbey, retail, commerce, provision of care services for the elderly, interests in the hotel sector, and environmental consultant.. Pastimes include dry stone waling, mountain walking, the environment, a lifelong support of Burnley Football Club, a reputation as an internationally renowned mole catcher, voluntary and charity work and of course the occasional pint of Guinness.

In public life his services include nearly thirty years as a member of both North Yorkshire County Council and Craven District Council, and Skipton Town Council.

Nationally he serves or has served on various policy and strategy committees including the Rural Needs Panel of the Association of District Councils and the Finance Group of the Association of County Councils. He has an abiding passion and concern for environmental, social, cultural and economic regeneration.

Robert is currently involved as a lead member on Economic Development and Rural Services, Planning and Regulatory functions. He is Vice Chairman of the National Rural Services Executive of the Local Government Association.

Roger Harrison-Topham

North Yorkshire County Council Appointee (County Councillor)

Ashes Farm, Caldbergh, Leyburn, North Yorkshire DL8 4RP
Tel: 01969 640632

Roger Harrison-Topham represents the Middle Dales Division on North Yorkshire County Council.

Roger is a smallholder on a hill farm. His career was as a chartered accountant, banker and civil servant.

Shelagh Marshall

North Yorkshire County Council Appointee (County Councillor)

6 Bowbridge Drive, Embsay, Skipton BD23 6QU
Tel: 01756 794861

Shelagh Marshall is an elected member on North Yorkshire County Council and represents a large area of the Yorkshire Dales including Upper Wharfedale, Littondale and Malhamdale. She lives in Embsay-with-Eastby, a village on the southern boundary of the National Park, and returned as a Member of the Authority in May 2005 after a gap of five years.

Shelagh is a member of the Sustainability Appraisal Steering Group at a regional level and is pleased that planning matters are able to take a holistic view of planning in the context of ensuring local communities are viable and sustainable.  

As a non-executive director of a Strategic Health Authority, Shelagh is  involved in public health issues across Yorkshire and at the County Council she chairs the Care & Independence Overview & Scrutiny Committee.

Formerly involved in teaching and learning as a mature student in further and higher education, her interests include walking, swimming, photography and music.

Ian McPherson

South Lakeland District Council Appointee (District Councillor)

4 Bainbridge Court, Sedbergh, Cumbria  :LA10 5EA

Born in Barnard Castle and spending his early years in Co.Durham and the North Riding, Ian subsequently moved to Lincoln with his family where he completed his schooling and then qualified as a solicitor .  He first practised in Lincoln and became a partner in one of the city’s firms before before being appointed a Stipendiary Magistrate by the FCO in the West Indies.  This was followed by a short service commission in the British army and a period of service in the Directorate of Army Legal Services.  He then became a local government officer and for a number of years held the post of Solicitor and Assistant Secretary to South Shropshire District Council as well as being Secretary to the Local Planning Authority.  

After retiring from the Law he fulfilled a long-standing ambition to return to the North of England and settled in Sedbergh in 2000.  He became very involved in community matters and in 2008 he was elected to South Lakeland District Council for the ward of Sedbergh and Kirkby Lonsdale.

For nearly twenty years Ian has been an active member of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) and is presently a Trustee of Kendal and Sedbergh Area Meeting and an Elder of Brigflatts Local Meeting.  He is Chair of the Trustees of Cumbria Mediation Services and is involved with a number of charities particularly Anti-Slavery International.

He enjoys walking, travelling and spending time with his family and friends.

Stuart Parsons

North Yorkshire County Council Appointee (County Councillor)

44 Frenchgate, Richmond, North Yorkshire DL10 7AG
Tel 01748 823456

Stuart was born and bred in Richmond, North Yorkshire, attending Richmond School and completing his education at University College London.

Following university he moved to France for a year - and only came back sixteen years later! During his time in France, he was director of a hotel, then became Operations HR Manager for the EuroDisneyland theme park. Stuart then became involved in buying and restoring historic properties and creating sustainable economic activities within them, before selling them on.

Since returning to Richmond, Stuart has been a member of Richmond Town Council (Mayor three times); Richmondshire District Council; and North Yorkshire County Council. He says he loves Richmond as a place to live, work and play - but most of all he admires the community he serves.

Stuart is the Authority's Member Champion for Promoting Understanding.

John Roberts

Craven District Council Appointee (District Councillor)

Lychgate House, Kettlewell, North Yorkshire BD23 5RD
Tel: 01756 760355

After twenty years in the Royal Navy, John bought the post office in Kettlewell and later the Spar shop in Grassington.  He has been a school bursar and clerk to the governors.  He is a widower with three grownup children.

John was elected as the councillor for Upper Wharfedale in May 2008 and sits on Craven District Council.  He is passionate about protecting and enhancing the local environment, and keeping the sustainability of the communities in the Yorkshire Dales.

Nick Thwaite

Secretary of State Appointee (Parish Councillor)

3 Croft Close, Greenbank, Long Preston, Skipton, North Yorkshire BD23 4NA

Tel 01729 841188

From a farming family, Nick Thwaite was born in Coniston Cold near Skipton. Educated locally, he decided working full time on the family farm was not for him and went into the transport industry. He is now a self-employed contractor, working part time for Land Rover Experience where he is a senior instructor, based at Conistone Hall and working in Scotland, Turkey and Monaco. He also works in the TV and entertainment industries as an HGV driver and rigger, and has worked such events as the Isle of Wight Festival, Leeds Festival, Cork Festival and, more recently, for Skysports.

Nick's hobbies include clay pigeon shooting - he is a qualfied instructor and member of CPSA (clay pigeon shooting association) - and mountain biking.  In his public life he is a trustee of the Hartley Trust (Hartley School, Long Preston), and has been a member of Long Preston Parish Council since 2006 where he has held the chair since 2008.  He lives in Long Preston with his partner Claire.  

Richard Welch

North Yorkshire County Council Appointee (County Councillor)

2 Raines Road, Giggleswick, Settle, North Yorkshire BD24 0AQ
Tel 01729 822857

Richard has lived in Settle and Giggleswick all his life and, having travelled extensively both nationwide and abroad, says he has no desire to live anywhere else! He has been a parish and district councillor for many years and has recently been elected to North Yorkshire County Council.

Richard is a self-employed contractor working part time around his Council duties. In any rare spare time, he enjoys horse racing and following Burnley Football Club.  

William Weston

Secretary of State Appointee

Brignall Mill, Barnard Castle, County Durham DL12 9SQ
Work tel: 01642 314200, Home tel: 01833 637726

Born in Norfolk, William Weston originally trained as a violinist at the Royal Manchester College of Music and subsequently attended the Arts Council postgraduate course in Arts Administration.

His first job was at Concerts Director with the Bournemouth Orchestras, and he has subsequently worked in local government, commercial television, and in the performing arts.  As Executive Director, he created and built the West Yorkshire Playhouse in Leeds and from 1995 to 2000 he was General Manager and Executive Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company. In 2000 he was appointed Chief Executive of the Royal Parks, a government agency, where he was responsible for 5,000 acres of green space within central London.

At the start of 2005 Mr Weston moved to live in rural northern England. His interests include landscape, sustainability, the countryside, horticulture, heritage and creativity.

Will is the Authority's Member Champion for Climate Change..

Members of the Standards Committee only

The Authority includes three Independent members of the Standards Committee only:

Atiq Hassan

6 Cherry Fields, Bradford, West Yorkshire BD2 1LB
Tel: 01274 724374

Ruth Dent

Over the Hill, Dentgate Lane, Marwood, Barnard Castle  DL12 8RR
Tel:  01833 638388

Andrew Markham

The Pines, Draughton, Skipton, North Yorkshire BD23 6DU
Tel: 01756 711305

Member champions

Several members have been appointed as 'champions' for particular areas of the Authority's work.  To learn more about their roles and responsibilities, please see the Member champions page.

For further information about any of the members, please contact the Secretariat Team on secretariat@yorkshiredales.org.uk.