A shake -up of the National Parks Commission has seen the size of the environment watchdog expand from 11 to 13 members.

Zane DeSilva, the Deputy Premier and Minister of Housing and Municipalities, has stepped down as chairman.

Also no longer involved are Trina Bean, who was the deputy chairwoman, and Tashae Thompson, who had been the Bermuda Tourism Authority’s representative but who has since left the authority.

The three departees has been replaced by five new members.

David Cox, a landscape architect, comes in as the new chairman, while Jasmine Furbert is the new BTA representative.

The remaining three new appointees are Chesney Robinson, Richard Winchell and Alize Bailey.

The commission was controversially disbanded in December 2022 by then public works minister Lieutenant-Colonel David Burch, who claimed that it was acting outside its remit.

The organisation was reformed in April 2024, when construction boss and government MP Mr DeSilva took over as chairman. He stepped down after being appointed to the Cabinet in the wake of the General Election in February.

A public works ministry spokesman said: “The ministry can confirm that David Cox has been appointed as the new chairman of the National Parks Commission, replacing the former chairman, Zane DeSilva, who now serves in Cabinet.

“Additional changes to the commission include the appointment of a new representative from the Bermuda Tourism Authority and the addition of Chesney Robinson, who was recommended by the minister.”

Mr Cox served as chairman of the commission several years ago before stepping down.

The primary function of the commission is to advise the responsible minister “on matters affecting the long-term conservation and management” of the national parks system.

Members of the commission must include representatives from the Bermuda National Trust, the Audubon Society, the National Museum of Bermuda and the Bermuda Zoological Society.