Board Meeting - September 2022

This document contains the draft minutes from the Cairngorms National Park Authority Board meeting held on 10 June 2022. Key discussion points included the National Park Partnership Plan 2022-2027 (NPPP), where the board considered affordable housing targets and deer density management strategies. An amendment was proposed to the original deer density target, but it was ultimately rejected, and the NPPP was approved for submission to Scottish Ministers. The board also discussed the CNPA's role in beaver translocation, agreeing that the Park Authority should take a leadership role, and reviewed capercaillie conservation efforts, agreeing on the consensus from recommendations B-F and that more discussion was needed for recommendation A. Finally, the Public Sector Equality Duty Report 2021 was noted, and reminders were given about upcoming events and deadlines.

This document contains a formal board paper from the Cairngorms National Park Authority, dated 23 September 2022, regarding a response to the Scottish Government's consultation on "Land Reform in a Net Zero Nation". The purpose of the paper is to gain the board's approval for the Park Authority's response to the consultation. The document outlines the strategic context, referencing the National Park Partnership Plan 2022–2027, and highlights key points in the consultation, such as criteria for large-scale landholdings, land rights and responsibilities, compulsory land management plans, a public interest test for land acquisition, new conditions for public funding, transparency of land ownership, and other land-related reforms. The Park Authority welcomes the opportunity to comment on the Land Reform consultation and offers suggestions to strengthen the role of communities and public authorities in land purchase decisions.