Board meeting - 25 September 2026

This document contains a notice from the Cairngorms National Park Authority about an upcoming Formal Board Meeting. This meeting is scheduled for 25 September 2026 at 9.30am and will be held in person at the Main Hall, Lonach Hall, Strathdon. You can watch the Formal Board meeting live online at the specified time by visiting www.cairngorms.co.uk/working-together/meetings/. Additionally, the agenda and other papers for the meeting will be available on the Cairngorms National Park Authority website, www.cairngorms.co.uk/, starting from the Friday before the meeting.

This document contains the formal board agenda for the Cairngorms National Park Authority meeting taking place on 25 September 2026 at 9.30am in Lonach Hall, Strathdon. The agenda outlines items for discussion, including the approval of previous meeting minutes and declarations of interest. Board members will make a decision on the Chief Executive Officer's report and the Convener's update, and will also receive updates for their information on the National Park Partnership Plan Monitoring Report, the annual Sustainable Tourism Action Plan, and committee minutes. The document concludes by noting the next board meeting is scheduled for 27 November 2026.

This document contains the minutes from the Cairngorms National Park Authority's Formal Board meeting on 26 June 2026, held in Ballater. The Board discussed the development of the next National Park Partnership Plan, focusing on tackling challenges like floods and droughts, and plans for public consultation. Members also received updates on the one million pound Cairngorms 2030 Communities Fund, including how it will be managed and evaluated, and discussed progress on the Strategic Tourism Infrastructure Development Plan, covering improvements to visitor facilities, active travel, parking, and electric vehicle charging points. Other items included updates on ecological barrier removal, the success of Capercaillie conservation efforts, and the upcoming elections for the Deputy Convener and Audit and Risk Committee Chair.

This document contains a report from the Chief Executive Officer and a Convener update from the Cairngorms National Park Authority, highlighting their recent activities. A major focus was the Glenmore and Abernethy wildfire, one of the largest incidents in the National Park's history, which led to significant efforts in environmental recovery, future wildfire preparedness strategies, and extensive public communication. The Park Authority also advanced its nature and climate change initiatives, including support for land-based businesses, implementation of muirburn licensing, and projects for freshwater pearl mussel recovery. Additionally, there were improvements in visitor facilities, progress on the Local Development Plan, and various planning approvals. Internally, the Park Authority focused on staff development, wellbeing, and fair practices, while the Convener engaged widely with government officials and community groups to advocate for improved wildfire response and local business support. The report also covered the Park Authority’s procurement, emphasizing sustainable and ethical spending.

This document contains an annual update on how the Cairngorms National Park Partnership Plan (NPPP) is being monitored, covering its long-term goals for Nature, People, and Place. The report uses a Red, Amber, Green rating to show progress. Many objectives are on track, with good results in areas like peatland restoration, species recovery, green health projects, and community support. However, some areas face challenges, such as maintaining the working-age population, which is currently rated red. Other objectives, including sustainable moorland and fire management, developing the Cairngorms Nature Index, securing green investment, and ensuring better housing access, are amber, meaning they're progressing but need ongoing effort. This monitoring helps the Park Authority understand what's working and what needs more attention, and this information will help shape the next NPPP.

This document contains a summary of the Cairngorms National Park Authority's progress towards its objectives for nature, people, and place. For nature, the Park is working towards becoming net zero and a net carbon store through peatland restoration and woodland expansion, managing deer impacts, and supporting species recovery, all while increasing green investment and developing its ecological network. For people, despite a declining working-age population, the Park is promoting a wellbeing economy, increasing the number of Real Living Wage employers, improving mental and physical health through nature connections, and supporting citizen participation and Gaelic language. For place, progress includes increasing affordable housing and community land ownership, enhancing public transport and active travel networks, maintaining high visitor satisfaction, and promoting cultural heritage projects and sustainable tourism.

This document contains an annual update on the Cairngorms National Park Authority's Sustainable Tourism Action Plan (STAP) for 2022 to 2027, which helps the National Park meet its goals and supports Scotland's wider tourism strategy. The Park Authority and its partners are delivering the plan, with a mid-term review suggesting only minor adjustments. Recent developments include the impact of the Glenmore and Abernethy wildfire on visitor numbers and ongoing discussions about implementing a visitor levy. Key activities have seen a successful winter marketing campaign, helping to attract visitors throughout the year, and progress in promoting cultural heritage, while efforts are also underway to understand and address barriers for lower-income visitors. In 2025, the visitor economy brought in £522 million from 2.6 million visits and five million visitor days, though businesses report concerns about bureaucracy, costs, staffing, and future visitor levy legislation. The next STAP, covering 2028 to 2032, will begin development in 2027.

This document contains a formal board paper from 28 September 2026, prepared by Alix Harkness and Karen Johnstone, Clerks to the Board. It shares minutes from recent committee meetings for the Board to review. Specifically, the paper presents the regular minutes from the Resources Committee meeting on 15 May 2026 and the Performance Committee meeting on 12 June 2026. It also includes the confidential minutes from the Resources Committee meeting held on 15 May 2026. The Board is asked to simply note these minutes.