Resources Committee - August 2024

This document contains the agenda for the Resources Committee meeting of the Cairngorms National Park Authority (Park Authority) on 9 August 2024 at 9am. The meeting will be held in the Don meeting room in a hybrid format. Key discussion items include budget management, the Park Authority Equal Pay Audit, a review of the Park Authority's values and culture, a staff absence report, and a verbal update on the 2024/25 pay position. The agenda also includes information on health and safety meeting minutes and draft Staff Consultative Forum minutes. The date of the next meeting is scheduled for 1 November 2024. A confidential session is proposed to protect the confidentiality of staff pay and conditions proposals prior to formal negotiations.

This document contains the draft minutes of the Cairngorms National Park Authority's Resource Committee meeting, held on 17 May 2024. The meeting covered budget monitoring, estimated outturn for the financial year, and the Organisational Development and People Strategy (ODPS) 2024-2027, including discussions on staff wellbeing, workload, and training. The committee also reviewed minutes from the Health and Safety Committee and the Staff Consultative Forum, addressing lone working procedures and positive feedback on progressive policies. The next meeting is scheduled for 9 August 2024.

This document contains the budget monitoring report for the Cairngorms National Park Authority, prepared by Louise Allen, Head of Finance and Corporate Operations, and presented to the Resources Committee on 9 August 2024. It gives an overview of the Park Authority's budget management position at the end of June, which is month 3 of the 2024/25 financial year. The report shows that overall expenditure is up compared to last year, indicating positive progress, and that the Park Authority's contribution to the Cairngorms 2030 programme is progressing, with grant claims being submitted and funds received. While the payroll budget continues to be underspent, running costs and operational plan expenditure are within budget, and there has been little expenditure on peatland restoration so far, which is expected to increase in the next quarter. The Resources Committee is asked to consider the budget management position for 2024/25.

This document contains a summary of expenditure against the profiled budget for the Cairngorms National Park Authority, as presented to the Resources Committee on 9 August 2024. It compares the actual figures from 30 June 2024 against the phased budget for the year ending 31 March 2025. The report details expenditure on board fees, staff costs, project costs, running costs, and the operational plan, and also covers income, cash expenditure, and grant-in-aid.

This document contains a log of budget changes for the year ending 31 March 2025. It shows that the contract for an intern working on the Capercaillie project was extended to engage with dog walkers. As a result, £5,800 was moved from the Place (Outdoor Access Statutory Responsibilities) budget to Staff Costs. Overall, these adjustments do not affect the total budget position.

This document contains the Cairngorms National Park Authority's (CNPA) Equal Pay Audit for 2024, which looks at the difference in average earnings between men and women. The audit found that female staff make up 57% of the workforce, and the mean gender pay gap is 13.14%, which is higher than in 2023, but lower than the 5 years prior. However, when the median methodology is applied, the gender pay gap decreases to 4.55%, which is lower than both the Scottish and UK median pay gaps. The audit analyzes pay across different grades and directorates within the CNPA, noting that the majority of full-time male staff are in higher paid bands, while full-time female staff are in lower paid bands. While the CNPA has measures in place to promote equal access to career progression and address inequalities, there is a need for continued work and monitoring in this area.

This document contains a proposal for the Resources Committee to approve a revised set of principles to replace the current values and culture statements of the Cairngorms National Park Authority. The Park Authority's Corporate Plan 2023 to 2027 includes the organisation's values and culture, which were developed as a staff-led exercise as part of its Corporate Plan for 2012 to 2015, but the scale, complexity, and composition of the staff group have changed considerably since then. A focus group of staff and a consultant were involved to help determine the new proposed principles, which include passion and dedication, community, pioneering and inspiring leadership. The aim is to establish core organisational values that resonate with staff, guide the organisation's operations, and support future organisational development.

This document contains the draft minutes from the Health and Safety Meeting held on 24 April 2024. The meeting covered a review of previous minutes and actions, including updates on ranger connectivity, lone working responsibilities, and the Employment Law Management System (ELMS) report. A Display Screen Equipment (DSE) review was presented with proposed changes to assessments, and there was discussion regarding Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) limits, accident and incident reports, and facilities matters such as e-vehicles and fire drills. Additionally, the buddy form and Accident & Incident Reporting forms are being streamlined onto SharePoint. The meeting also touched on ranger and peatland matters, and other business items, culminating in a log of actions from both this meeting and a previous one.

This document contains the draft minutes from the Staff Consultative Forum held on 19 February 2024. Key discussion points included the Organisational Development Strategy 2024-2027, an informal messaging policy, the Chief Planner pay scale, and an update on the 2024/2025 pay award. The forum also discussed the possibility of partnering with Credit Unions as a staff benefit, revised Display Screen Equipment assessments, lone working and accident/incident reporting processes, leadership updates, equalities initiatives, and flexible working policy changes. Additional matters were raised, such as concerns regarding office temperature and progress on the Electric Car Salary Sacrifice Scheme.

This document contains the minutes from the Cairngorms National Park Authority Resources Committee meeting held on 9 August 2024. The meeting covered a range of topics, including budget monitoring, an equal pay audit, a review of the Park Authority's values and culture, and updates on health and safety, and staff matters. Key discussion points included budget constraints due to changes to the Nature Restoration fund from the Scottish Government, ensuring fair pay and opportunities for all staff, and embedding the Park Authority's values into its organisational strategies. The committee agreed to several action points, such as updating the committee on future budget information, clarifying the application of values and principles to board members, and providing more information on lone working procedures. The next meeting is scheduled for 1 November 2024.