Formal Board Paper 2 Annex 3 - Budget 26-27 Risks

This document contains the Cairngorms National Park Authority's budget risks for the 2026/27 financial year. A key concern is the uncertainty surrounding funding for nature restoration, a core aim for the Park Authority, although an application for £1,045,000 from the Nature Restoration Fund has been submitted and is assumed to be available. Staff costs, budgeted at £6.45 million, are based on a recent three-year pay deal. While about £197,000 in vacancy savings are expected due to recruitment delays, the actual value is hard to predict given employment market trends. Finally, running costs face pressure from ongoing inflation, with a 3% increase already accounted for; however, further inflationary rises would significantly increase expenses, particularly early in the financial year.