LOAF_Paper3_CaseworkReview
CAIRNGORMS LOCAL OUTDOOR ACCESS FORUM PAPER 3
CAIRNGORMS LOCAL OUTDOOR ACCESS FORUM
Title: Update on casework volumes and types over period 2019 – 2021
Prepared by: Doug Stewart, Outdoor Access Officer
Purpose:
To update members on casework handling of all types including monthly breakdowns and summary of key types by volume.
To consider findings and any relevant issues arising.
Background
The National Park Authority has a number of duties and responsibilities requiring provision of advice to internal colleagues and key partners alongside responding to both general enquiries from the public and also complaints over obstructions to and/or interference with the exercise of statutory access rights.
In order to both monitor and process these tasks a ‘casework’ record is maintained. This ‘log’ records numbers and types of casework including dates, handling times and a record of contacts made during processing.
Casework Handling
- Management of casework workload is an ongoing consideration with the present system allocating casework on the basis of a 50:50 split between the two Outdoor Access Officers in post. Depending on the complexity or nature of any given case collaboration and discussion often takes place towards ensuring balanced decision making. Processing, recording and allocation is supported by an administrative support officer.
Analysis of Annual Records
The current record shows a relative increase in casework for the 6 month review period (first half of the calendar year) which correlates with a gradual upward trend over the same period since 2019.
Records for the 6 month review period compare as follows:
Page 1
CAIRNGORMS LOCAL OUTDOOR ACCESS FORUM PAPER 3
Planning and Forestry consultations contributed to a spike in casework during March with relative increases during January and February also evident.
Casework handling capacity and procedures have proven resilient to fluctuations in numbers and types of issues.
Notable cases over the period are as follows:
- Case 532 Glen Muick Deer Farm
Case 453 Farr, Loch Insh
2021 — 136
- 2020 – 71 (lockdown)
- 2019-105
D. Stewart 11/08/21
Page 2
CAIRNGORMS LOCAL OUTDOOR ACCESS FORUM PAPER 3
Casework Totals by Month/Year: all Categories
2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
---|---|---|---|
Jan | 8 | 7 | 16 |
Feb | 17 | 12 | 14 |
Mar | 19 | 15 | 40 |
Apr | 19 | 17 | 26 |
May | 21 | 7 | 15 |
Jun | 21 | 13 | 24 |
Jul | 23 | 39 | |
Aug | 20 | 16 | |
Sep | 10 | 26 | |
Oct | 15 | 27 | |
Nov | 10 | 14 | |
Dec | 9 | 22 |
Page 3
CAIRNGORMS LOCAL OUTDOOR ACCESS FORUM PAPER 3
Casework Totals by Month/Year: all Categories ex. Planning & Forestry
2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
---|---|---|---|
Jan | 4 | 4 | 15 |
Feb | 7 | 9 | 10 |
Mar | 14 | 6 | 26 |
Apr | 17 | 12 | 19 |
May | 15 | 4 | 7 |
Jun | 14 | 10 | 19 |
Jul | 14 | 28 | |
Aug | 14 | 13 | |
Sep | 7 | 18 | |
Oct | 8 | 19 | |
Nov | 7 | 10 | |
Dec | 4 | 13 |
Page 4
CAIRNGORMS LOCAL OUTDOOR ACCESS FORUM PAPER 3
Casework Totals by Year/Category
2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
---|---|---|---|
Grand Total for Year | 192 | 215 | 135 |
Planning Consultns | 45 | 37 | 21 |
Forestry Consultns | 22 | 32 | 18 |
Access Rights | 25 | 40 | 23 |
Funding | 1 | 1 | 10 |
Land Ownership | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Obstruction | 23 | 19 | 10 |
Other | 38 | 40 | 28 |
Path Maintenance | 11 | 15 | 12 |
Signage | 13 | 14 | 6 |
Tourism | 13 | 17 | 7 |
Page 5