Dartmoor National Park Authority

29 June 2009

New team to manage Dartmoor National Park

At its Annual Meeting on 26 June 2009 Dartmoor National Park Authority elected a new team of Members to oversee the management of the National Park. Bill Hitchins was elected Chairman of the National Park Authority and Maurice Retallick as Deputy Chairman. Following his election Bill Hitchins thanked the membership for their support and paid tribute to the dedication and leadership of Nigel Hoskin the former Chairman who stood down after four years in the role.

Trevor Smale was elected as Chairman of the National Park Authority’s Development Management Committee supported by Helen Jenny as Deputy Chairman.

Speaking about his new role Bill Hitchins said:

‘I look forward to continuing the good work started by my predecessor Nigel Hoskin.  I am committed to ensuring that the National Park Authority implements its dual role of conserving the special qualities of the National Park and promoting their enjoyment and understanding in ways that pay special attention to the needs of local communities.  

Central to our mission is effective partnership working – we alone can not deliver National Park objectives – we need to work with others and I pledge myself to maintaining and enhancing those partnerships for the benefit of all.

Separating out the role of Authority Chairman from that of Chairing the Development Management Committee will enable me to devote more time to the promotion of National Park purposes which can only be for the good of Dartmoor.’

Bill became a member of Bickleigh Parish Council in 1983 and its Chairman in 1987. He was elected to South Hams District Council in 1991 and represents the Bickleigh and Shaugh ward. He is currently the Deputy Leader, Historic Environment Champion, portfolio holder for Prosperity and is the National Park representative for the South Hams.

Trevor Smale, the new Chairman of Development Management Committee said: ‘I welcome this opportunity to ensure that the Authority is working with local communities to promote development that is good for Dartmoor.  We have some exciting opportunities for people to help shape the future of the National Park: we will be consulting on a Design Guide, new development management policies and looking at opportunities for further public participation and involvement in our planning service.’

Trevor’s first qualification was in planning and he remains a Chartered Town Planner.  Later qualifications followed in management and he also has an MBA.  Most of Trevor’s working life was in the public sector, latterly he was a Managing Inspector in the Audit Commission and then a Council Chief Executive.  Early retirement was followed by a move to the voluntary/charitable sector.  After working at the Devon Wildlife Trust he is now the South West Regional Manager for the LloydsTSB Foundation.  Other roles have included Board Membership of the Devon and Cornwall Learning and Skills Council and a Visiting Fellow at Plymouth University.  He is also on the regional panel for Investors in People.

Maurice Retallick is a farmer who has always lived in the local area.  He is Chairman of the Ilsington Parish Council and is a trustee of the Ilsington United Charities.  He is a keen member of the Authority and plays an active role on numerous committees and councils including the Commoners’ Council, Devon County Agricultural Association and the South West Uplands Federation.  Maurice is also a member of the Dartmoor Hill Farm Project  and the Dartmoor Steering Group, and is the Chairman of the Haytor and Bagtor Commoners’ Association and the Park Management Working Panel.

Helen Jenny is a retired Head of Upper School with thirty two years teaching experience.  She has worked in a voluntary capacity with the Dartmoor National Park Ranger Service for twenty five years.  She is a volunteer leader for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Chairman of the Devon Award Committee, an expedition trainer and assessor for participants and the SW Region coordinator for the training of new Award expedition assessors and leaders. Helen is also a governor of Princetown Primary School, a member of Devon Wildlife Trust and the National Trust.

The National Park Authority comprises 22 members. Six members are appointed by Devon County Council, and six by the District Councils (three from West Devon Borough Council two from Teignbridge District Council and one from South Hams District Council. Ten members are Government appointees, four of whom represent parish council interests. The other six Government appointees are persons, usually local, with specialist knowledge of, or a particular interest in, the National Park. They are appointed for a three year period and help provide the balance of local and national interests that is essential to the management of a National Park.

Ends

For further information

Dr Kevin Bishop, Chief Executive (National Park Officer) Dartmoor National Park Authority

Mike Nendick, Communications Officer,

Tel: (01626) 832093

Agendas for full Dartmoor National Park Authority meetings and Dartmoor National Park Authority planning meetings are available on the Authority's web site .

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There are 15 members of the National Parks family in the UK: Brecon Beacons, Dartmoor, Exmoor, Lake District, New Forest, Northumberland, North York Moors, Peak District, Pembrokeshire Coast, Snowdonia, South Downs, Yorkshire Dales, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs, the Cairngorms and the Broads.  National Parks are of special value to the whole nation because of their great beauty, their wildlife and cultural interests and the opportunities they offer for quiet enjoyment.  However, they are not nationally owned - the land is in the hands of many landowners or occupiers including farmers.  Over 34,500 people live in Dartmoor National Park and many millions of visits are made to it each year.

Celebrating 60 years of the legislation that created National Parks and other protected landscapes (external link, opens new window)

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Page updated 29 June 2009