Item 7 NPIF Update Report

This document contains an update on how the Cairngorms National Park Authority is getting on with its Improvement Action Plan, which is part of a new system called the National Planning Improvement Framework (NPIF). The NPIF helps planning authorities check and improve how they work, following the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019. The Park Authority, which started using this system in 2025, carried out a self-assessment and made a plan with 14 ways to improve. So far, 10 of these actions are complete, which is about 71 per cent, and the remaining 4 are well underway. These actions cover things like improving staff skills, updating digital systems, engaging with developers and local communities, and making sure planning rules are followed consistently. The Park Authority will share this progress with the Improvement Service, and the whole process will start again in 2027 with a new self-assessment and action plan.