WARNING - By their nature, text files cannot include scanned images and tables. The process of converting documents to text only, can cause formatting changes and misinterpretation of the contents can sometimes result. Wherever possible you should refer to the pdf version of this document. CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY Paper 4 Annex 1 22/01/10 APPENDIX 1 Landscape Framework Project Brief (Draft) Contents 1. Background..............................................................................................................................................................1 2. Project Definition...........................................................................................................................................2 Aim ........................................................................................................................................................................................2 Objectives ............................................................................................................................................................................2 Organisation ........................................................................................................................................................................2 Scope.....................................................................................................................................................................................4 Key Deliverables.................................................................................................................................................................4 Exclusions.............................................................................................................................................................................4 Constraints ..........................................................................................................................................................................4 Project Controls.................................................................................................................................................................5 Communications Plan........................................................................................................................................................5 3. Outline Case.........................................................................................................................................................5 4. Customer’s Quality Expectations..............................................................................................5 5. Acceptance Criteria....................................................................................................................................5 6. Known Risks ..........................................................................................................................................................6 Annex 1 – Communications Plan.........................................................................................................6 1. Background The Landscape Framework, formerly known as the landscape management plan is identified in the 2007-2012 Park Plan. The key landscape action is the systematic review of landscape character and wild land as the basis for decision-making relating to planning control, land management and enhancement actions. The aspirations of partners during the development PAGE 2 of park plan focused mainly on the need to identify special qualities. The Landscape Framework will enable us to do this in a transparent way. 1.1 It was agreed that the framework be delivered principally in-house with outsourceing of component parts such as the updating of the LCA. An outline brief for the landscape framework was commissioned from David Tildesley Associates (DTA) this has proved helpful background but in general it is felt that it does not present a park-specific solution, and in particular does not recognise the information and experience that exists within the CNPA. The park plan was approved and published in 2007 and the Landscape Framework is one of the outstanding actions to be delivered by 2012. It is also one of four achievements in the conserving and enhancing biodiversity and landscapes theme of CNPA’s corporate plan 2008-11 1.2 The landscape framework is seen as being an integrating tool, communicating tool, delivery tool for climate change, economic development and strategic land use management 2. Project Definition Aim 2.1 The Aim of this Project is: The LF will provide the spatial framework to guide delivery of the NPP outcomes in ways that conserve and enhance the special qualities of the Park. The Landscape Framework will be an integral part of our land use and planning policy tools and will inform all other policies where relevant. Objectives The strategic objectives for the project are to; a) Produce an agreed Landscape Framework by April 2012. b) Consider both the natural and cultural components of the landscape. c) Identify landscape sensitivities and opportunities spatially and present place-based landscape visions, strategy and objectives for the whole Park, including for settlement areas as well as the wider countryside. d) Respond to current and expected management issues. e) Engage all relevant communities of interest in the process; locals, visitors, businesses and land managers. As far as is possible reflect the values that the various communities of interest attach to the landscapes of the CNP f) Adopt robust transparent processes. g) Produce outputs that are accessible to all. Organisation 2.2 The key roles and responsibilities involved in delivering this Project are shown in the table below. PAGE 3 Stakeholder / Responsibility Project Sponsor CNPA Board Responsible for: • agreeing to take forward the Project; • approving the Project Brief; • endorsing Project Plan • delegating decision making authority for the running of the Project to the Project Board; and • providing advice and input at agreed points. Project Board CNPA Board Steeringgroup Sue Walker Duncan Bryden Eleanor McIntosh Lucy grant Responsible for: • advising on the Project Brief and project plan; • promoting and maintaining focus on the desired project outcomes; and • briefing and advising those they represent. Suggest that Hamish Trench chairs the Steering Group with Matthew Hawkins as ‘senior responsible supplier’ Project Director Matthew Hawkins/Hamish Trench Responsible for: • the success of the project; • the direction and progress of the project; • supporting the Project Manager and finding the resources needed; • signing off project documents; • making sure that the work of the Project is fit for purpose; and • Reporting to the Project Sponsor. Project Manager Frances Thin Responsible for: • Informing board sub-group • managing the Project day-to-day; • planning, monitoring and controlling the work; • provide support and input to any contractors; • reporting progress; and • administering Project Board meetings. Suppliers Responsible for: • Delivering contract briefs as appropriate. Advisory Group made up from Park Plan partners with landscape remit SNH, FCS, Local Authorities, NGOs Responsible for: • Providing advice and input to the development of the Framework as required. • A non decision-making group PAGE 4 Stakeholder / Responsibility Project Support GIS support Matthew Hawkins Catriona Campbell CNPA Planners HLM staff Responsible for a range of input throughout the life of the project, detail in project plan. Scope 2.3 The project will be complete once the Landscape framework is finalised and approved by the CNPA Board by March 2012. Key Deliverables 2.4 The key outputs of this Project will be: • A number of reports on baseline landscape information; Landscape Character Assessment (LCA), Wildland, Landscape Special Qualities. • A brief and contract for development of community engagement tools (some will be developed and delivered internally). • Briefs and contracts for design, delivery and analysis of some of the community engagement exercises • Report reviewing stakeholder values; community landscape values and partner landscape values • A spatial data base developed from above • A report on Key management Issues and their landscape relevance (based on findings from PP and LDP process, internal CNPA and partner discussions) • A spatial analysis of landscape sensitivities and opportunities • A series of place-based landscape visions, strategy and objectives for all of the park • A report on the findings of consultation on the above • Finalised Landscape Framework report(s) • A report reviewing the GIS landscape information • SEA. • Equality Impact Assessment Exclusions 2.5 Activities that are not included in this project and are termed ‘Exclusions’, these are as follows: • This project is not aiming to produce a blueprint for landscape protection, it is about identifying and locating the landscape benefits that can be accrued as part of existing and expected change processes. • This project will not attempt to access a statistically valid sample for the community engagement work. It will utilise existing information and gather new information from a variety of sources. Constraints 2.6 The following constraints on the Project exist: PAGE 5 • The Landscape Framework must be in place by March 2012 • The need for community engagement/consultation to tie in with the PP and LDF timescales. • The lack of awareness and confidence surrounding any discussion of landscape issues. • Staff resource. • Availability of funding Project Controls 2.7 The Project will be subject to the following controls: • approval of Project Brief by Project Board and Project Sponsors; • bimonthly progress reports to the Project Board and Project Sponsors; • notification reports to the Project Board where an issue arises that cannot be resolved directly by the Project Manager; • regular checkpoint meetings between Project Manager and Project Director; and • Project Review. Communications Plan 2.8 A Stakeholder Analysis has been carried out and used to develop a communications plan for the Project. The table in Annex 1 identifies the key stakeholder groups with an interest in this Project, what their interest is, the information they require and how this will be communicated. This is still very much work in progress. 3. Outline Case 3.1 The CNPA board agree the outline case for the Landscape Framework as one of the priority projects contained within the 2007-2012 Park Plan. The concept of a Landscape Framework and was discussed in more detail with the board in August 2008. 4. Customer’s Quality Expectations 4.1 The customers for this project are the CNPA itself and the agencies and NGOs who will use the Landscape Framework and who act on behalf of the general public who live in, visit and value the Cairngorms National park, and the businesses and individuals who seek to make the most of the economic and development opportunities that the national park offers. 4.2 It is recognised that cost, time and quality all have an impact on this project. If one of these elements is to be altered then there will be a direct impact on another element of the project. The budget available for the project is established on an annual bidding process. The funding available for the 2010/2011 is £20k and this is likely to decline in subsequent years. The timeline for the project is also set. The quality of the output, and the process, is vital to the success of the Project, therefore there will be no concession on quality in the Project without approval from the Project Board. Expert peer input will be sought to ensure high quality outputs. 5. Acceptance Criteria PAGE 6 5.1 The project deliverables (i.e. the outputs or tangible things it will produce – see 2.5) will be logged in the quality log which will show who has lead responsibility for signing-off completion of each (e.g. reports etc). The Project Board will be asked to approve the quality log including the individual identified as having responsibility to sign-off satisfactory completion of each output. 6. Known Risks 6.1 The following potential risks to successful delivery of the project have been identified and will be logged in the Risk Register within the Project Plan. These risks will be actively managed as the Project develops: • External Advisory group do not agree with project brief or plan • Community engagement exercises do not yield useable information • Difficulties with identifying search criteria and mapping legibility • GIS problems, staff or design or time • Staff absence delaying project • Landscape Framework not fit for purpose • Exceeding available budget • Delays in NPP/LDP engagement processes resulting in delay or lack of information Annex 1 – Communications Plan Stakeholder / Interest in the Project / Information required and method of communication Project Board: the board sub-group to be called The Steering Group Ensuring that the Project has adequate resources and is successfully delivered. Thorough project planning and good communication. Progress Reports will be produced on a bimonthly basis. The Project Board will be asked to take decisions on the Project at key stages. Project Sponsor: CNPA Board Effective delivery of the Project and Value for Money. Thorough project planning and good communication. Progress Reports will be produced on a bimonthly basis. Invitations to input into Consultation exercises. Landscape awareness training. Target individuals Use visuals Use examples and comparisons Landscape Framework (LF) Advisory Group Successful delivery. Restart Advisory group Clarify role and remit and keep on board Regular Project updates 6-monthly LF Advisory Group meetings Invitations to input into stakeholder Consultation. PAGE 7 Cairngorms National Park Authority staff Successful delivery How the project will fit with the review of the Park Plan and LDP, climate change work, Land Use Strategy, SRDP work. Potential delivery through future corporate and operational plans. CNPA represented on Advisory Group (FT) and Project Board (FT). Relevant CNPA staff/Board members invited to input to thinking and project development phases. Use staff meetings Regular informal discussion. Invitations to input into Stakeholder Consultation. Land Managers inc.; farmers, private estates, FCS site managers, RSPB, NTS Awareness of project, what it means for them and the opportunity to engage with it. Invitations to input into Consultation. Keep informed through farmers forum and other for a. Engage with representative from individual interest groups, possibly Stakeholder Workshop Public agencies inc.: SNH, DCS, FCS (policy), SEPA. Awareness of project and the opportunity to engage with it. How the project will fit with their future corporate and operational plans. Invitations to input into Stakeholder discussions and consultation. Check relevant representation on advisory group. One-to-one meetings with key individuals Representative Groups; e.g. NFUS, SRPBA, CONFOR, GCT Awareness of project and the opportunity to engage with it. How the project will fit with their plans. Invitations to input into Stakeholder discussions and consultation. Community councils Awareness of project and the opportunity to engage with it. Circulate information using umbrella community organisations. Use community agents Community Newsletters Lobbying Groups (e.g. Cairngorms campaign) Awareness of project and the opportunity to engage with it. Identify potential interest groups, meet and listen, understand their interests and include in project database - invite to an initial stakeholder workshop and consultation request. Media Local interest stories. Interest in landscape of Cairngorms as medium for other stories Liaise CNPA coms team Any developing stories to hook in to PAGE 8 General public Awareness of project and the opportunity to engage with it. Information in accessible places, newsletters, websites etc Landscape Awareness training. Landscape champions in the community? Local Authorities inc; Perth & Kinross Council, Moray Council, Highland Council, Angus Council, Aberdeenshire Council Awareness of project and the opportunity to engage with it. How the project will fit with their future corporate and operational plans. Interviews with key personnel?? (but probably on Steering group) Invitations to input into Stakeholder Workshop and Consultation. Relevant staff members invited to sit on working groups. Tourism business interests and related agencies e.g. Visit Scotland, Event Scotland Awareness of project, what it means for them and the opportunity to engage with it. Identify key interests Invitations to input into Stakeholder Workshop and Consultation. Individual Businesses Destination businesses with specific interest in landscape Awareness of project, what it means for them and the opportunity to engage with it. Invitations to input into Stakeholder Workshop and Consultation. Keep informed through CBP update.