Richard is an experienced Town Planner, working for the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority for the past 15 years, with 10 years as its Head of Development Management.  This is a senior management role with responsibility for delivering an efficient and effective planning service.  Richard is responsible for over 700 planning decisions made by the Authority on planning matters and representing it on regional and national groups.  He makes a positive contribution to the strategic leadership of the organisation as well as managing a public-facing service. Richard has extensive practical experience of planning and development in urban and rural areas, having previously worked in York, Reading and Oxford.  He is used to working constructively with politicians, developers, partners in other public bodies and the public.  He holds a degree in Town and Country Planning and is a charged member of the Royal Town Planning Institute. As a member of the Parochial Church Council (PCC) of Holy Trinity Church Ripon, Richard makes a positive contribution to the leadership and governance of the church and continues to make particular contributions to developing a church mission that serves its community and in delivering youth activities. He brings a wealth of skills and a strong commitment to the Christian foundation of the Trust.