230609PerfCtteePaper1PeatlandProgramme

This document contains an update on the Cairngorms National Park Authority's (Park Authority) Peatland ACTION programme for 2022-23 and its progress in 2023-24. The programme aims to help achieve targets set by the Scottish Government for peatland restoration. In 2022-23, the programme restored an estimated 1080 hectares of peatland, exceeding its 905 hectare target, and worked on 15 projects across the National Park. For 2023-24, the target is 1300 hectares, and while contracts for 618 hectares are already awarded, landowners are encouraged to develop more agent-led projects. Financial support from the Scottish Government for 2022-23 was £3.47 million. To further improve the programme, a management framework is under review to outline all controls, processes, and documentation from pre-application to project closure.