New Parks Authority member from Kilnsey keen to ‘broaden diversity’

​​​​​​​A farmer’s daughter born and raised in Conistone with Kilnsey in Upper Wharfedale has become the newest Member of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.

 Liz Hall, 40, will be one of four ‘Parish Members’ on the board of the National Park Authority, representing the 25 parishes that make up the ‘Craven East’ part of the National Park.

Two people were nominated for the role so an election was held, with each parish having one vote.  Miss Hall was the successful candidate and her four-year appointment has since been approved by the Secretary of State for the Environment. 

Miss Hall runs Estio Healthcare Services, a company which recruits carers and support workers.

She said: “I was born in Conistone and moved out when I was 19 for the bright lights of Skipton. I’ve been back now for nine years and feel very lucky to live here.

“The perceptions of the National Park among the people that live here are mixed, but the experience I had with the planning service, after moving into my grandad’s house, was really positive, so I thought it would be interesting to work with ‘the Parks’.

“I am interested in conservation, farming and, from a Parish Meeting perspective, planning.  Equality and diversity are important parts of my work, and I would like to get involved in those issues, too.  I think we need to broaden the diversity of visitors to the Dales. It’s a beautiful area that should be accessible to all.”