Mrs Taylor has served on the National Park Authority for the past eleven years and was appointed Chairman in June 2006. She has a keen interest in environmental issues at a local and national level, and is also Vice-Chairman for the Campaign for National Parks.

She said: “I am honoured that the National Park Authority members have elected me to continue as Chairman for another year.   This past year has been very challenging for us, and we have undertaken many improvements to deliver a more capable and customer-focused service.

“Although we have begun to see positive changes at the National Park, I believe we have a long road ahead of us in which we will continue to seek the best for our communities.  Krishn and I have very much appreciated the support  we have received from our colleagues, the staff here at the National Park and our local communities – we hope that this will continue whilst we oversee the challenges we face as one of the UK’s best known and protected landscapes.”

Commenting on her re-appointment the Chief Executive of Brecon Beacons National Park Authority, Chris Gledhill, said: “I am delighted that Mary has been re-appointed as Chairman of the Park Authority.  In light of the changes ahead of us, it will be helpful for us to have this continuity and along with Mary’s considerable experience as Chair, will particularly benefit us moving forward.”

Cllr Krishn Pathak, a representative of Powys County Council is also in his third year as Deputy Chairman of the Authority after joining the Park Authority in 2004.

He said: “I am absolutely delighted to be re-elected as Deputy Chairman. We have a lot of work to do this year and we are already starting to see major changes in the way we work.  All members of the National Park Authority work as a team and it has been rewarding to work in partnership with Mary leading that team.”

The elected Chairman of Planning, Access and Rights of Way (PAROW) is Cllr Mrs Kathryn Silk from Powys County Council and the elected Deputy Chairman is Mrs Jackie Charlton, a Welsh Assembly Government appointed member.

The Internal Review Committee is to be headed by Chairman Cllr William Powell, from Powys County Council, with re-elected Deputy Chairman Mr Peter Seaman, a Welsh Assembly Government appointed member.

The Grants Advisory Panel will be chaired by Mrs Margaret Underwood and the Agricultural Reform and Land Management Member champion for the Park Authority is Cllr Evan Morgan – a respected local farmer in the National Park.

For further information on changes to the committee structure and membership, please visit the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority’s website at www.breconbeacons.org

Pictures From left to right:  Cllr Krishn Pathak, Deputy Chairman; Mrs Mary Taylor, Chairman and Mr Chris Gledhill, Chief Executive of Brecon Beacons National Park Authority