Top two are back for a third term in charge
The two men responsible for heading up the Lake District National Park Authority have been re-elected for their third terms in office, after fellow members praised them for their “diplomacy, hard work and humour” during the past 12 months.
Bill Jefferson and Admiral Sir John Kerr said they were honoured to be nominated again for the respective positions of chairman and deputy and spoke of the “difficult times” ahead as public spending cuts begin to impact on the LDNPA’s budgets.
Members said Bill and Sir John had worked well together during the past year – each being a counterbalance for the other – leading and representing the organisation with dignity, enthusiasm, and professionalism,
The national park authority has already been told it will need to return five per cent of this year’s budget to Defra – amounting to more than £350,000 - as part of the £6.2 billion pounds of savings announced by the Government before yesterday’s budget.
“This had to happen and we have preparations in hand. It hasn’t taken us by surprise. The next phase is causing tensions and worry. It’s a tricky course ahead and there will be some pain, but we will do our best to manage the issues in the best way we can,” the chairman said.
Members were told that plans to balance the budget for future years were currently being drawn up and would be formally presented to the authority’s Resources Committee in August.
