Board Meeting - March 2021

This document contains the agenda for the Cairngorms National Park Authority Board meeting on 12 March 2021, held via video conferencing. The meeting will cover items such as welcome and apologies, approval of minutes from previous meetings in November 2020 and January 2021, matters arising, and declarations of interest. The agenda also includes a CEO report for information, and decisions to be made regarding the budget, the approach to COP 26 and net zero, and the Cairngorms Tourism Action Plan mid-term review. Furthermore, there is information on major projects, any other business (AOCB), and a motion to move to a confidential session to approve minutes with commercially sensitive information. The next meeting is scheduled for 26 March 2021.

This document contains the draft minutes from the Cairngorms National Park Authority Board meeting held via telephone/video conference on 27 November 2020. During the meeting, board members approved the minutes from the previous meetings, received updates on action points and the Local Development Plan, and discussed the CEO report, which included updates on strategic work streams, the Tomintoul and Glenlivet Development Trust, and the Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund. The board also reviewed the Green Recovery Plan, the Cairngorms Visitor Management Review, and the Authority's financial position, allocating £40,000 to support visitor management. Finally, the board discussed the timetable for the National Park Partnership Plan 2022-2027 and agreed for the Convener to sign the Edinburgh Declaration and send a letter to Scottish Ministers regarding the Shared Prosperity Fund.

This document contains the draft minutes from a Cairngorms National Park Authority Board meeting held on 22 January 2021. The main topic discussed was the 2021/22 budget for ranger services, with the board considering a proposal to establish a seasonal ranger service for the year. Members discussed the benefits and costs of the proposal, including the introduction of Kickstart rangers, and the importance of the ranger service for visitor management. The board approved a commitment of £236,000 to finance the seasonal ranger service, as well as a further commitment of £3,000 for Kickstart Youth Placement opportunities. They also agreed that if there was a significant reduction in the Authority's funding, the service initiative would be postponed. The next formal Board meeting was scheduled for 12 February 2021.

This document contains the CEO report and convener update for the Cairngorms National Park Authority (Park Authority) formal board paper from 12 March 2021. The report highlights strategic work areas directed by the management team, including conservation efforts such as the Cairngorms Nature Action Plan and the Cairngorms Capercaillie Project, as well as woodland creation and peatland restoration initiatives. Visitor experience is also a focus, with discussions on outdoor access, the Speyside Way, and visitor management. Additionally, the report covers rural development through the Local Development Plan 2021, planning casework, youth engagement, and economic and tourism action plans. Staffing updates, youth employment programs, shared services, and organizational development, including business continuity planning and office extension projects, are also addressed, along with updates on the LEADER/Cairngorms Trust and its charitable activities. The convener's report provides information on meetings related to corporate governance, discussions with the Minister for Rural Affairs and Natural Environment, and community council sessions.

This document contains an executive summary of an independent evaluation of the Cairngorms Local Action in Rural Development (LEADER) Programme from 2014 to 2020, which was commissioned by the Cairngorms Trust. The program, which is part of the European Union's approach to rural development, funded projects addressing key objectives and priorities within the Cairngorms National Park, with the Cairngorms National Park Authority serving as the Accountable Body. The evaluation found that the program successfully supported access to training, increased visitor satisfaction, created employment, and fostered partnerships. Projects were closely monitored against 21 indicators feeding into strategic objectives, and contributed to national objectives set by the Scottish Government. The program's success stemmed from early engagement, a strong Local Development Strategy, and the expertise of the Local Action Group. The Cairngorms Trust is well-positioned to capitalize on future rural funding opportunities, such as the Shared Prosperity Fund, focusing on post-COVID-19 recovery, climate change, community resilience, and opportunities for young people.

This document contains the Cairngorms National Park Authority's proposed budget for 2021/22, outlining the financial position, proposed allocations for core income and expenditure, and intended operational plan investments. The paper seeks Board endorsement of the budget and Operational Plan as a suitable deployment of resources to achieve the Authority's Corporate Plan goals. It covers strategic risk management, delivery of strategic objectives, and assurance. A key aspect is the establishment of a permanent ranger service. The budget position for 2021/22 has increased due to additional funding from the Scottish Government, notably for peatland restoration. The Board is asked to endorse resource allocations, agree to the ranger service establishment, assess risks to Corporate Plan objectives, and consider specific budget aspects needing attention.

This document contains information for the Cairngorms National Park Authority (Park Authority) board members about the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, and to gain approval for net zero targets. The Park Authority is working with other National Park Authorities to have a presence at COP26. The document asks the board to approve a commitment for the Park Authority to achieve net zero emissions by 2025, zero direct emissions by 2030, and for the Cairngorms National Park to achieve net zero emissions by 2045. The Park Authority plans to work on a carbon baseline and budget, and will develop clear metrics to track carbon reduction progress in line with other National Parks in the UK.

This document contains a summary of the strategic work being done by partners to deliver the Cairngorms Tourism Action Plan and the National Park Partnership Plan, which helps with the national strategy called Scotland Outlook 2030. The past year has been difficult because of Covid-19, which has changed how partner groups focus their attention. These groups are now prioritizing support for businesses, visitor management, keeping community support for the visitor economy, and improving infrastructure to handle increased demand for outdoor activities and changes in visitor behavior. The Cairngorms National Park became the first National Park in the UK to be awarded the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas. Looking ahead, there are plans to emphasize visitor management, staff training, and promoting visitor experiences in less developed areas of the Park, as well as focusing on safe and sustainable visitor experiences and post-Covid marketing.

This document contains a summary of the Cairngorms Tourism Action Plan delivery from its partners up to February 2021, assessing the current status using a green, amber, and red system. The report highlights actions under themes like leadership, skills, and enhancing assets, detailing activities, planned actions for 2021/22, and their status. Key areas of focus include securing partnerships, developing education initiatives, delivering business support, enhancing visitor infrastructure, and promoting the Cairngorms National Park through various marketing strategies.

This document contains proposed changes to the Cairngorms Tourism Action Plan, which was originally approved in 2017. Due to the Covid-19 emergency, the plan is being revised to reflect the current context for tourism. The proposed changes include ensuring the action plan is industry-led, developing visitor management plans, reviewing the collation and distribution of data around visitors and tourism, and working with businesses and communities to support consistent marketing and communication. The updated plan also focuses on domestic UK markets in the short term and emphasizes safe, sustainable visitor experiences.

This document contains an outline of current visitor management work being developed with partners in the Cairngorms National Park. The Park-wide Visitor Management Group is meeting on 10 March to finalise Visitor Management Plans. Planned work includes increasing car park capacity at various locations like Linn of Dee and Glen Muick, and developing temporary car parking near Dinnet. There are also plans to improve ranger cover in Glen Doll and refurbish the overflow car park. The Cairngorms National Park Authority is working to deliver a campervan facility at Ciste car park and improve traffic management along Loch Morlich roadside, along with upgrading paths and potentially a new toilet at Loch Garten. The Cairngorms National Park Authority will continue to support six Ranger Services and is also looking at extra seasonal support for Glen Esk and Glen Doll, and is working with communities to improve visitor infrastructure.

This document contains a major projects update for the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA). The CNPA has undertaken a number of major projects over the past 5 years, leveraging significant external funding to support the National Park's aims. Total funding for these projects is £15 million, with a direct CNPA contribution of £855,000, resulting in a leverage rate of roughly £17.50 for every £1 invested. The update provides information on 5 major projects: Badenoch Great Place, Cairngorms Capercaillie Project, The Mountains and the People, Tomintoul and Glenlivet Landscape Partnership and LEADER Programme. These projects are aligned with the National Park Partnership Plans and CNPA Corporate Plans and aim to deliver significant assets, employment opportunities, and biodiversity and landscape benefits.