SINCE last month, membership of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority has increased to 18, with three new members being officially welcomed. New to the authority are Christine Gwyther, who is appointed by the Welsh Assembly Government, and Clrs. William (Bill) Roberts and John Griffiths, who are appointed by Pembrokeshire County Council. The authority is now made up of 12 council- appointed members who provide local knowledge and expertise, and six who are appointed by the Welsh Assembly to represent the national interest and to provide additional specialist skills and experience relevant to the authority's work. The three newcomers were officially welcomed to the National Park Authority meeting on January 23. Ms. Gwyther's term of office runs until January 1, 2012, while the two councillors' office runs until the Pembrokeshire County Council elections in May. The increase in membership followed a decision taken in December by the Welsh Assembly Government, following a period of consultation on the process for appointing members which was part of the Review of National Parks in Wales. The National Park Authority supported the Assembly's recommendation which will result in greater representation, and therefore accountability, across the Park.