New councillors appointed to the Broads Authority
Two new district councillors have been appointed to the Broads Authority.
They are North Norfolk District Councillor Robert Stevens, from Stalham and Waveney District Councillor Mike Barnard from Oulton Broad. They replace Candy Sheridan, who was chair of the Broads Authority’s Planning Committee, and Alan Duce, after they did not stand in the May local elections.
Both new members will be serving on the Broads Authority’s Planning Committee.
Robert Stevens, who is social secretary of the East Anglian Cruising Club, based at Thurne, is a life-long Broads lover. He was brought up on his parents’ traditional Broads cruiser from the age of five and is now one of only ten people on the Broads to own a Seawych. As well as sailing he and his partner Louise enjoy long distance walking in the Broads with their three dogs.
A retired solicitor, he ran his own firm, Robert Stevens & Co, in Norwich for 25 years. He is chairman of the Stalham and Sutton Branch of the North Norfolk Conservative Association and a guide at Happisburgh Lighthouse.
Robert moved to his Stalham farmhouse in the Broads 11 years ago.
He said: “I can see the wherries sailing up the River Ant from my house and can almost see Barton Broad. I love it. I feel passionate about the Broads and am delighted to have been appointed to the Broads Authority so that, in a small way, I can contribute some of my experience.”
Lowestoft born Mike Barnard, who was a chartered accountant practising in the town for 44 years, lives in Oulton Broad. He was a Waveney District Councillor from 1973 to 1995 and was elected to Suffolk County Council in 2009. He was re-elected to Waveney District Council this year and is the Portfolio holder for Resources.
Mike is a member of the committee of the Friends of Nicholas Everitt Park of which his wife Carol is chairman. He is keen to promote tourism in the area.
He is a keen walker, photographer and a member of the RSPB, National Trust and English Heritage.
27/06/11
