Members
Who are the Members?
The Authority has 19 Members:
See a full list of the Members
- Five appointed by Devon County Council
- Five appointed by the district councils:
- Two from West Devon Borough Council
- Two from Teignbridge District Council
- One from South Hams District Council
The remaining nine Members are appointed by the Government.
- Four are appointed to represent parish council interests – they are nominated by Dartmoor parish councils and approved by the Secretary of State (Defra).
- Five are directly appointed by the Secretary of State (Defra) to represent the national interest and are usually local people who have a particular interest in the National Park.
What do Members do?
Members provide leadership and direction for the Authority, and ensure that we are efficient, effective and accountable. Members work with the Chair, the Chief Executive (National Park Officer) to discharge the functions of the Authority, and to steer our strategic direction so that we deliver benefits to local communities and to the nation. Read the full Members' role description.
Register of Members' Interests
Members must register any interests they have which may cause conflict with their role. An interest is any matter - such as ownership of land or company, or membership of a group or club - which may influence their judgment. We keep a Register of Interests for all Members and co-opted members.
Declaration of Interest is a standing item on every meeting agenda. At this point Members must declare any relevant interest they have in any item of business on the agenda.
View the Register of Members' Interests
Members’ Allowances
Members are unpaid for their work. They receive a small monthly allowance and can claim back travel and other expenses incurred on Authority business.
- Read the Dartmoor Members’ Allowance Scheme which governs how allowances are paid.
- Member Allowances Rates from 1 April 2026
Member Code of Conduct
The Code of Conduct aims to:
- ensure that Members register and declare any personal or pecuniary interests they have in business of the Authority
- promote high standards of ethical behaviour
- prevent maladministration.
Becoming a Member
When a vacancy occurs for a Member appointed by the Secretary of State (Defra) these are publicly advertised alongside our job vacancies
Other positions are filled by people who are already elected Members for local authorities and parish councils in Devon.
Independent Persons
Independent Persons are people appointed to promote and encourage high standards of conduct by Members and to oversee the Member Code of Conduct. Independent Persons are invited to attend all meetings of the Authority to observe proceedings.
The Authority has appointed Catherine Shewan and Corinne Farrell as Independent Persons to provide an impartial voice to issues relating to complaints about a Member of the Authority. Specifically the views of the Independent Person must be sought, and taken into account, by the Authority before it makes a decision or takes any action relating to Member conduct.
Independent Person – current vacancy
We are seeking a new Independent Person to work alongside Catherine Shewan, as Corinne Farrell will be leaving the position later this year.
Independent Person Advert
Independent Person Specification
Independent Person Application Form
Closing date: Friday 9 October 2026 at 12 noon
Interviews: Thursday 29 October 2026
For further details and/or advice on making an application please contact:
Neil White, Head of Organisational Development and Monitoring Officer
Address: Dartmoor National Park Authority, Parke, Bovey Tracey, Newton Abbot, Devon, TQ13 9JQ
Telephone: 01626 831078
Email: nwhite@dartmoor.gov.uk
Corinne Farrell on her role as an Independent Person:
"I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as an Independent Person at Dartmoor National Park Authority. Over the past four years, I have played a small, but important, role in ensuring that Members fulfil their responsibilities and act in accordance with the standards of public life.
Members and officers alike made me feel very welcome right from the outset.
I received a good induction as well as opportunities to attend training relating to the role of an Independent Person. I felt that my comments and contributions were always properly considered and appropriately followed up. During meetings, as well as contributing to good governance, I have gained a valuable insight into how the Authority juggles all its various, and sometimes conflicting, priorities.
The role requires good listening and observation skills, and a keen attention to detail. It offers a great opportunity for someone with a love of Dartmoor to be part of protecting and delivering its future"