Board Meeting - November 2020

This document contains the draft minutes from a Cairngorms National Park Authority board meeting held on 11 September 2020. The meeting covered a range of topics including updates on the Green Recovery Fund, strategic risk management, and visitor management in the park. Minutes of previous meetings were approved, declarations of interest were noted, and several reports were presented and discussed, leading to various action points for the board and staff, primarily focusing on improving visitor experience and addressing environmental concerns. The next board meeting was scheduled for 27 November 2020.

This document contains the draft minutes from a Cairngorms National Park Authority board meeting held on 13 November 2020. The meeting covered several topics, including the submission of a Local Development Plan to Scottish Ministers, declarations of interest from board members, a review of the election process for the Planning Committee Convener, and various other announcements and discussions. The board approved modifications to the Local Development Plan and initiated the election process for the Planning Committee Convener. Several action points were raised concerning budgeting, community engagement, and the dissemination of information. The next board meeting was scheduled for 27 November 2020.

This document contains the agenda for a Cairngorms National Park Authority board meeting held on Friday, 27 November 2020, via video conferencing. The agenda included welcomes and apologies, approval of minutes from previous meetings, a CEO report and convener update, information on the Cairngorms Green Recovery Plan, discussion of the Cairngorms visitor management review, decisions on the budget and operational plan review, and information on the timetable for preparing a new national park partnership plan. The next meeting was scheduled for Friday, 12 March 2021.

This document contains a report from the Cairngorms National Park Authority's Chief Executive, covering the period up to 27 November 2020. It highlights key conservation projects, including work on the Cairngorms Nature Action Plan (funded by £200,000 from the Scottish Government), the Cairngorms Capercaillie Project (which is fully staffed), and peatland restoration. Significant progress was made in woodland expansion, reaching 95% of the 5,000ha target. The report also details visitor experience updates, including a 100% increase in access issues and successful projects like the Speyside Way and the Mountains and People Project. Staffing updates, financial reports, and plans for future projects are also included.

This document contains an update on the Cairngorms National Park Authority's (CNPA) Green Recovery Plan, approved in June 2020. The plan aims to help the area recover from the impact of Covid-19, supporting businesses and communities. A recovery fund of £130,000 was launched, funding thirteen projects. The CNPA has also been involved in various initiatives, including supporting tourism, engaging with community groups, and developing a long-term vision for the area. Progress on different aspects of the plan, from woodland expansion to visitor management, is detailed, with updates indicating work underway or planned for various projects. The CNPA will continue to monitor progress and provide further updates.

This document contains a review of visitor management in the Cairngorms National Park during the summer of 2020. The Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) worked with many partners, including land managers, local councils, and tourism groups, to manage visitor numbers and address issues like parking, littering, and wildfires. A visitor management plan, along with clear communication strategies, helped to reduce negative impacts. The review also discusses plans for future improvements, including a new CNPA Ranger Service and continued partnership work.

This document contains a review of the Cairngorms National Park Authority's 2020/21 budget and operational plan. The review, presented to the Finance and Delivery Committee on 13 November 2020 and the Board on 27 November 2020, assesses the Authority's financial position considering the impact of COVID-19. The report shows the Authority is broadly on budget, with some minor underspends in certain areas, primarily due to project phasing and reduced activity. A £40,000 reallocation is proposed to support visitor management for the 2021 season, while the possibility of further funding later in the year is being considered for another round of Green Recovery Grants in partnership with the Cairngorms Trust.

This document contains information on the Cairngorms National Park Authority's (CNPA) timetable for creating their next National Park Partnership Plan (NPPP) from 2022-2027. The NPPP is a legally required plan that sets out the CNPA's goals and priorities for managing the National Park. Work on the new plan has already begun, including reviewing information and doing assessments. The main work will happen in 2021, with public feedback gathered in the autumn and winter of that year. The plan should be finalized and approved in 2022.