East Anglia Press Releases for the Norfolk & Suffolk Broads with Press Releases and Articles from the Broads Authority in East Anglia, and the East of England UK.

The hunt is on for a new chairman to lead the Broads Authority's key consultative body which acts as a sounding board for Broads issues.

The Broads Forum is a formidable body representing over 50 organisations with widely varying interests in the Broads who make recommendations on major Broads Authority policies, plans and proposals before they are considered by the Authority.

The 22 members represent interests from boating, angling, birdwatching and water skiing, rambling, horse riding, farming, shooting and drainage, to cultural heritage, education, tourism, people with disabilities, wildlife organisations and parish councils.

Since it was formed four years ago this high profile body has made an invaluable contribution to policies which are shaping the future of the Broads.

The chairman acts as a go-between with the Broads Authority and interest groups by chairing the quarterly meetings of the Forum and attending those of the Broads Authority to represent the views of the Forum.

He works closely with the Chairman and Chief Executive of the Broads Authority. The position, which is voluntary and for a period of three years, will require a commitment of 5 to 10 days a year, for which expenses will be paid.

The first chairman, Dr Tony Stapleton, is stepping down after successfully promoting a united commitment to the Broads rather than allowing individuals to fight their own corner.

He said:

"There are some extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic people on the Forum - experts in their own field - and the quality of the discussions is very high. Everyone is there because they have a strong interest in and commitment to the Broads which has broadened the range of expertise that the Authority can tap into to help it make decisions. However it would benefit from having more women and younger people on board."

Professor Kerry Turner, Chairman of the Broads Authority, said:

"The Forum has been a huge success in providing advice on difficult issues and this has been largely due to Tony's chairmanship."

Applications, should be marked 'Private and Confidential' and submitted to the Chief Executive, Broads Authority, 18 Colegate, Norwich, NR3 1BQ, by February 21st. Interviews will be held in Norwich on the morning of March 8th. Further details can be found on www.broads-authority.gov.uk.

Reproduced by kind permission of Broads Authority.