Cairngorms Local Outdoor Access Forum - September 2023

This document contains the agenda for the Cairngorms Local Outdoor Access meeting on 13 September 2023, from 6.30pm to 8.30pm, held via Microsoft Teams. The agenda includes welcome and introductions, approval of the last meeting's minutes, updates on the Active Cairngorms Action Plan, quiet areas for nature, capercaillie signage dates, and an update paper, as well as any other business and setting the date for the next meeting. The Microsoft Teams meeting details include the meeting ID and passcode.

This document contains an update on the Cairngorms Local Outdoor Access Forum's work. Park Authority staff are working to redevelop a section of the Speyside Way, and a planning application has been submitted for the Braemar to Keiloch Path. Community path leaflets are being redesigned, and publications and posters are being updated. Ranger events and education programmes have taken place, and vehicle signs have been produced. A project is underway to foster a dog community and create dog-friendly spaces, including a 5-year action plan. An application was submitted to the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) for the Cairngorms 2030 project, with a decision expected in December, and if successful, the project will receive £10.7 million in funding.

This document contains a proposal to extend the period during which dogs must be kept on leads in sensitive capercaillie areas within the Cairngorms National Park. Currently, dogs must be on leads from 1 April to 15 August to protect the endangered capercaillie during their breeding season. Due to recent observations showing that young capercaillie chicks are still vulnerable until late August or early September, there is a suggestion to extend the "dogs on leads" period to 31 August. The Cairngorms Local Outdoor Access Forum (LOAF) is being asked to support this extension, which aims to improve chick survival rates. Previous discussions with the LOAF have taken place, and a decision is sought on whether to implement the extended dates for the use of "dogs on leads" signage across the Park.

This document contains information for the Cairngorms Local Outdoor Access Forum about developing quiet areas for nature in the Cairngorms National Park. The Cairngorms National Park Authority and NatureScot are working with stakeholders to create a coordinated plan to protect the critically endangered capercaillie by reducing recreational disturbance in sensitive areas. The plan aims to identify and prioritise quiet areas for nature, focusing on areas where visitor management efforts are already in place. It will use measures such as ranger patrols, seasonal signage, path development, and community agreements to encourage responsible behavior and reduce disturbance, while respecting public access rights. The Park Authority will monitor the effectiveness of these measures and work with land managers and recreational users to determine if additional steps are needed, with the overall plan being added to the Active Cairngorms Action Plan.

This document contains an outline of the Active Cairngorms Action Plan, which is being developed to gather views from Local Outdoor Access Forum (LOAF) members on priority actions and deliver the National Park Partnership Plan objectives. The plan aims to enable residents and visitors to responsibly enjoy the Cairngorms National Park and focuses on managing visitor pressures, minimizing recreational impacts on sensitive species, enhancing ranger services, promoting green health, encouraging volunteering, supporting youth and outdoor learning, and improving paths and trails. The plan will also identify partners, with a revised draft to be circulated for consultation and adoption by the Cairngorms National Park Authority (Park Authority) Board in late 2024.

This document contains an update on casework volumes and types handled by the Cairngorms National Park Authority from 2019 to 2022. The purpose is to update members on casework handling, including monthly breakdowns and summaries of key types by volume, and to consider findings, trends, and other relevant issues. The casework record tracks the numbers and types of cases, dates, handling times, and contacts made. Casework is split equally between two Outdoor Access Officers, with administrative support, and management is an ongoing consideration. The record shows a decrease in casework compared to 2021, moving towards pre-Covid levels from 2019, with 'access rights' cases remaining consistent. Monitoring will focus on statutory consultations and the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 Section 13 duty, reporting obstructions to access rights.