Margaret Beckett, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, today announced her intention to appoint new members to the following authorities:

* Lake District National Park Authority

* Northumberland National Park Authority

* Peak District National Park Authority

* Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority

* Broads Authority

National Park Authorities were established to recognise the national and international importance of the landscape within the Park boundary. They work both to ensure the conservation and enhancement of the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of their area, and to help improve public understanding and enjoyment of their area.

The Broads Authority is a member of the National Parks family but was established under different legislation, not least because of the importance of navigation on the Broads. It works to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads, to promote public enjoyment of the area and to protect the interests of navigation.

The Authorities' members are appointed to ensure a balanced range of local, national and specialist interests. The successful Secretary of State appointees will be expected to provide a national voice on the Authority, and take a particular interest in strategic issues such as responsibility for conservation, recreation, planning, access and resource issues. In the case of the Lake District, candidates should also possess experience in change management so that they can contribute in implementing the findings of that Authority's recent performance assessment.

Ministers will be looking for candidates who understand the concept and practice of sustainable development and who come from a broad range of backgrounds representative of the social and cultural mix in the country at large. Applications from women, members of ethnic minorities, young people and disabled people are particularly welcome, as these groups are still under-represented among the membership of National Park Authorities.

These appointments commence in Spring 2006 and are initially for three years, with the option of re-appointment for up to ten years.

Three appointments will be made to the Lake District and one in each of Northumberland, the Peak District, Yorkshire Dales and the Broads Authorities.

Candidates will be expected to show that they can:

* represent the national interest - including the views of people not living in or near the National Parks and the Broads; * understand issues affecting National Parks and the Broads, and work to achieve the Parks' purposes; * bring experience of wider issues to bear, including work with young people, environmental projects, social inclusion work, or an active interest in outdoor recreation; * contribute positively to debate within the Authorities; * be ready to make decisions on any aspects of Park and Broads management; * commit a minimum two to three days per month to Authority work. This can vary from Park to Park and can rise up to six days per month for the Lake District, dependent on the number of committees involved.

The appointments are unsalaried although expenses and travel are paid.