The Authority recognises the value of a strong relationship with Parish Councils – the most local democratic representation of opinion – in order to achieve the objectives set out in the National Park Management Plan.
This part of the website is dedicated to supporting and engaging with Parish Councils.
Parish Forums
We have regular Parish Forum meetings for all parishes wholly or partially within the National Park.
The Forums encourage a two-way discussion about any and all National Park issues relevant to Parish Councils. Agendas are agreed in advance to include items requested by the Parish Councils.
Parishes are encouraged to take the opportunity at these forums to share innovative ideas/activities/projects that parishes have done – so that others can learn from them. A slot on the agenda will be available for a Parish Council or other local representative to give a presentation.
Following 2020’s suspension of Parish Forum meetings due to Covid-19, we successfully trialled holding a Parish Forum on Wednesday 13 October 2021, by Zoom, which enabled us to invite people from parishes right across the National Park to come together, to share ideas and experiences.
Our Spring 2022 meetings were held in person, with a separate forum for the parishes in the north of the National Park, one for the parishes in the south and one for the parishes in the west.
Following feedback, the Spring meetings were held in person for the three separate areas, and future Autumn meetings by VC, for all parishes.
The Autumn Parish Forum meeting is scheduled for 25 October 2023 7-9 p.m. (on Zoom) for all Parish Councils and Meetings to join. Invitations to the meeting have gone out and the Agenda and link to the Forum will be sent to those wishing to join us.
Notes, presentations and briefings from previous meetings can be found on the Parish Forum notes and briefings page.
Our Parish Appointed Members
The membership of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority is set out in legislation (Environment Act 1995). Of the 25 members, four are appointed by the Secretary of State to represent the parishes in the National Park. Those parish members are:
- Allen Kirkbride
- Neil Heseltine
- Liz Appleton Hall
- Libby Bateman
More details about the parish members can be found here.
If you are interested in becoming a ‘Parish Member’ you can find out more by visiting our ‘How to become a Member’ page and by contacting the Committees Officer on 01969 652364.