Lee Valley Regional Park Authority welcomes new chair to the board

Ross Houston was elected by fellow board members to the role of chair of the Authority, which manages the 26-mile long park stretching from the banks of the River Thames in east London through Essex to Ware in Hertfordshire, at our recent AGM. Ross, who is Deputy Leader of the London Borough of Barnet, is joined by new Vice Chair Heather Johnson from the London Borough of Camden. Both are long-serving members of the board, joining in 2010.

The Authority’s board sets the strategy for the organisation and is made up of 28 elected council members, nominated by their own councils in London, Essex and Hertfordshire.

Lee Valley Regional Park was created by an Act of Parliament in 1966 to become a ‘green lung’ for London and its eastern county neighbours Hertfordshire and Essex. It’s 10,000 acres of open spaces and world class sport and leisure facilities include three Olympic legacy venues - Lee Valley VeloPark and Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and Lee Valley White Water Centre in Waltham Cross, Herts. The park attracts more than eight million visits a year.

Ross replaces Paul Osborn, who spent 10 years as chair of the Authority’s board and continues to serve as an active member, chairing both the Regeneration and Planning Committee and Land and Property Working Group. Heather replaces David Andrews as vice chair. David was also a dedicated and long serving member of the board having served as a member for 12 years and vice chairman for four.

The 28 Member board is re-appointed every four years and those appointments are then noted at the AGM in July.  This year the Authority welcomed eight new members from across London, Essex and Hertfordshire, who are:

• Cllr Rosalind Dore - London Borough of Waltham Forest

• Cllr Troy Gallagher - London Borough of Islington

• Cllr Connie Hersch - London Borough of Ealing

• Cllr Krupa Sheth - London Borough of Brent

• Cllr Anthony Owen - Hertfordshire County Council

• Cllr Miriam Swainston - Hertfordshire County Council

• Cllr Ken Crofton – Hertfordshire County Council

• Cllr George Williams - East Herts District Council

Following his appointment, Ross said: “I’m honoured to take up the role as chair as the park approaches its milestone 60th anniversary. The importance of providing green and open spaces to support health and wellbeing has never been greater. Lee Valley Regional Park’s blend of parkland and world class sport and leisure venues attracts people from across the region and beyond and it is our duty to ensure it continues to do so.

“Our thanks go to Paul and David for their leadership and dedication to our great park over the past decade. I’m looking forward to working with the new board, which has both experienced members and new members with new ideas to help deliver our mission of providing high quality sport and recreation opportunities that increase participation and enrich the lives of our communities.”

Lee Valley Regional Park Authority Chief Executive Shaun Dawson said: “As long standing members of our board, Ross and Heather’s knowledge and experience will provide strong leadership and support us in providing a park that meets the needs of its diverse communities in London, the region and beyond.”