Formal board meeting - 28 November

This document contains the formal board agenda for the Cairngorms National Park Authority meeting on 28 November 2025 at 9.30am in Grantown-on-Spey. Items on the agenda include welcoming attendees and apologies, approving minutes from previous meetings, declarations of interest, a chief executive officer report, an update from the Convener, and an update on Active Cairngorms. The board will also discuss and make decisions on the Local Development Plan and the Cairngorms 2030 Communities Fund, as well as elect an Audit and Risk Committee Chair. Finally, the agenda includes annual reports and accounts, a corporate plan delivery update, board committee reports, committee minutes and the date of the next meeting which is scheduled for 27 March 2026.

This document contains the draft minutes from the Cairngorms National Park Authority Formal Board meeting held on 26 September 2025. The meeting included welcoming a new board member, approving minutes from a previous meeting, and discussing updates on action points from prior meetings related to the CEO report, visitor reports, budget plans, and consultation responses. Discussions also covered topics like the Integrated Wildfire Management Plan, improvements to the website, the Local Development Plan Evidence Report, and revisions to Planning Committee Standing Orders. The board also considered the National Park Partnership Plan annual update and timetable, agricultural land use and farming activity, Public Sector Reform, and the Environment Strategy and Land Use Strategy consultation. The next meeting is scheduled for 28 November in Grantown on Spey.

This document contains the CEO and Convener updates for the Cairngorms National Park Authority board meeting on 28 November 2025. The CEO report highlights ongoing work related to nature and climate change, including wildfire management, peatland restoration, and the Nature Restoration Fund. It also covers planning and place initiatives like path improvements, core path plan review, and local access forum activities. The report details visitor infrastructure enhancements, accessibility improvements, ranger services, cycling and behavior change programs, public transport improvements, local development plan progress, and planning casework. Communication and engagement activities, such as events, business partnerships, and cultural heritage initiatives, are also mentioned, along with updates on corporate communications and social media. Finally, it provides updates on staffing, organizational development, procurement, and equality. The Convener's update summarizes meetings and events attended, focusing on active travel, community wealth building, environmental issues, biodiversity targets, and business partnerships.

This document contains a request for the Cairngorms National Park Authority Board to approve the Development Plan Scheme 2025. This scheme is an important part of the Local Development Plan (LDP) preparation, outlining the timetable and how people can get involved. The Park Authority needs to update this scheme every year, and this 2025 version is the second update to the initial plan. Changes have been made to the timetable because producing the Evidence Report is taking longer than expected due to additional work and feedback. The timetable has also been updated to align with the National Park Partnership Plan (NPPP). While adopting the Development Plan Scheme doesn't pose a risk itself, there are potential risks to the LDP's timetable. If the Board approves the scheme, it will be published on the Park Authority's website, made available in local libraries and offices, and sent to community councils, associations, and Scottish Ministers.

This document contains the Development Plan Scheme for the Cairngorms National Park Local Development Plan (LDP), dated 28 November 2025. This scheme is required from every local authority, and it acts as a communications tool to inform stakeholders on how they can get involved in the preparation of the next LDP and stay updated on its progress. The document outlines how planning works in the National Park, highlights changes to the Development Plan system, provides details on processes and timescales, includes a participation statement for public engagement, and invites communities to prepare Local Place Plans. The Development Plan Scheme updates the timetable from the previous scheme in November 2024, and includes a detailed timetable in Appendix 1.

This document contains information for the Cairngorms National Park Authority board members. It gives an overview of the Active Cairngorms Action Plan, which supports the National Park Partnership Plan. It details the progress made towards the plan's objectives, related to tourism, visitor facilities and services, and managing visitor impact. It also includes recommendations for the Board, such as noting progress on the Active Cairngorms Action Plan and visitor-focused activities. The document also talks about strategic risk management, the implications of the Active Cairngorms Action Plan, and the introduction of a fire byelaw in April 2026. It also covers the ranger team restructure, patrol data and future plans for the ranger service including data from the Park Authority and its partners.

This document contains the Cairngorms National Park Authority's (Park Authority) annual report and accounts for the financial year ending 31 March 2025. Prepared by Louise Allen, Head of Finance and Corporate Operations, the report presents the Park Authority's performance, financial position, and activities. The report is structured in three sections: the Performance Report, the Accountability Report, and the Financial Statements. Funding for the year was primarily through grant-in-aid, and the Park Authority reports its performance to the Scottish Government in cash terms, with a small overspend of £10,000. The signed accounts will be submitted to the Auditor General for Scotland, and the deadline for laying the accounts before Parliament is 31 December 2025. The Board is asked to note the draft annual accounts for 2024/25.

This document contains the title page for a formal board paper, specifically Paper 4, Annex 1, for the Cairngorms National Park Authority. The document is dated 28 November 2025.

This document contains the annual report and accounts for the Cairngorms National Park Authority for the year 2024/25. Laid before the Scottish Parliament, the report details the Park Authority's performance against its strategic aims and priorities, focusing on nature and climate, people, and place. Key achievements include peatland restoration, woodland expansion, and community engagement. The report also outlines the Authority's financial performance, key risks, and governance structures, including a commitment to equality, diversity, and sustainability. The report outlines the 2025/26 strategic operational year.

This document contains a corporate plan delivery update for the Cairngorms National Park Authority (Park Authority), prepared by David Cameron, Deputy CEO and Director of Corporate Services. The paper is meant to draw the board's attention to the performance report for 2024/25 against the corporate plan objectives. It offers a focused look at the Park Authority's progress toward strategic goals in line with the wider update on the Cairngorms National Park Partnership Plan (NPPP). The board is asked to review the status of objectives as set out in the Performance Report and consider any needed actions to address the delivery of corporate plan objectives. The report also provides an update on the Park Authority's direct and indirect contributions to the NPPP.

This document contains a risk register for the Cairngorms 2030 Communities Fund, a £1 million fund launching in summer 2026 that will empower communities to design and deliver projects that achieve the aims of Cairngorms 2030. The register identifies potential risks to the fund's success, such as insufficient interest, difficulty recruiting diverse voices for the co-design panel, and potential conflicts of interest. It also outlines mitigation strategies to address these risks, including targeted recruitment efforts, transparent processes, and collaboration with experienced consultants such as the Involve Foundation. The Park Authority will act as the accountable body for the fund and work to capture learnings from the process for future initiatives.

This document contains information about the election of the Audit and Risk Committee Chair for the Cairngorms National Park Authority. The current chair's term ends on 31 January 2026, and this paper outlines the proposed process for electing a new chair. The election will follow a similar process to the 2023 Board Convener and Deputy Convener elections, using an electronic voting system. Nominations and seconds will be sought, followed by a period for submitting these. If there are multiple candidates, their statements will be circulated before a ballot. The election is scheduled for December 2025, with key dates including the call for nominations on 1 December, close of nominations on 15 December, and the announcement of results on 19 December.

This document contains the annual reports from the Audit and Risk Committee, the Performance Committee, and the Resources Committee to the Cairngorms National Park Authority Board for comment. The Audit and Risk Committee oversaw final accounts, external audits, risk management, and internal controls, addressing issues like procurement weaknesses. The Performance Committee reviewed various projects and programs, including Cairngorms 2030, and ensured governance and assurance systems. The Resources Committee monitored the Cairngorms National Park Authority's budget, staff matters, and equality duties, focusing on financial and staff resource management. All three committees provided assurance over the management and controls exercised within the Park Authority's operations and identified no changes needed in the committee's operations.

This document contains the committee minutes prepared by Alix Harkness and Karen Johnstone, Clerks to the Board, for meetings held from 14 June 2025 to 12 September 2025. It includes minutes from the Audit and Risk Committee, Performance Committee, and Resources Committee. The document also contains confidential minutes from meetings held between 20 June 2025 and 12 September 2025, specifically for the Audit and Risk Committee and Resources Committee. The Board is asked to take note of these minutes, both public and confidential.

This document contains approved minutes from the Audit and Risk Committee meeting held on 20 June 2025, as well as approved minutes from the Performance Committee meeting held on 13 June 2025 and the Resources Committee meeting held on 29 August 2025. Discussions included internal and external audit plans and reports, strategic risk registers, information requests and complaints, and a procurement action plan. Additionally, the performance committee discussed updates to the climate adaption fund and the beaver project, and the resources committee discussed budget monitoring, pay equality and health and safety.