EXMOOR National Park Authority members elected Robin Milton as their new chairman in a secret ballot at their meeting on Tuesday.

He is a local uplands farmer, a Secretary of State member of the authority and is also chairman of the NFU Uplands Forum. 

Andrea Davis, chairman for a number of years, was elected deputy chairman and West Somerset councillor Martin Dewdney was appointed deputy chairman (planning).

Sarah Bryan, the authority’s chief executive, said: “I’m delighted that Robin has been elected as chairman. He has been a valuable member of the authority for some time and with Brexit looming his experience in dealing with farming at a national level will be ever more important.

“Leaving Europe means that there are many challenges ahead, but there are also opportunities to take a fresh look at support for the benefits that upland farming brings to the landscape, rural way of life, provision of local food, clean water and open access.

“We look forward to working with local communities to make the case for Exmoor to Government.

“Having Andrea Davis as deputy chairman and Martin Dewdney as deputy chairman (planning) means that we have a balanced and experienced team to lead the authority into the future and to ensure that the interests of Exmoor’s communities and businesses are well represented.”