Performance Committee - February 2022

This document contains the draft minutes from the Performance Committee meeting of the Cairngorms National Park Authority (Park Authority) held on 29 October 2021. The meeting covered several key topics, including the Cairngorms Capercaillie Project, Cairngorms Leader and Cairngorms Trust Delivery, Badenoch Great Place Project, Cairngorms Peatland Action Programme Delivery and Heritage Horizons Project Update. The committee reviewed project updates, discussed challenges and opportunities, and approved recommendations with specific actions to be taken. Updates on private finance were also discussed. The next meeting was scheduled for 11 February 2022.

This document contains the agenda for the Cairngorms National Park Authority Performance Committee meeting on 11 February 2022, held via Lifesize video conferencing. The agenda includes items such as welcoming attendees, noting apologies, declarations of interest, and approving minutes from the previous meeting. The committee will receive an update on the Heritage Horizons Project and discuss the Cairngorms Peatland Action Programme delivery, Cairngorms LEADER and Cairngorms Trust delivery, the Cairngorms Capercaillie Project, and the interaction of the committee with the performance dashboard. The next meeting is scheduled for 13 May 2022.

This document contains an update on the Heritage Horizons: Cairngorms 2030 Programme, which aims to tackle climate, nature, and public health emergencies. The Cairngorms National Park Authority (Park Authority) received funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) for the programme's development phase, which includes engaging with the community and creating evidence-based plans. The document outlines the progress of various projects, including advisory panel meetings, project plan submissions, and recruitment efforts. Key areas covered are governance, cash flow, procurement, and project management, including a list of the appointed theme leads. A new project, "Strategic Network Analysis," has been created, and the team is working with Sustrans to align funding timescales for sustainable and active travel projects, some of which are behind schedule. The next Programme Board meeting is scheduled for the end of April 2022.

This document contains an overview of the Heritage Horizons: Cairngorms 2030 project, which includes a variety of projects focusing on people, power, and place. These projects range from developing an economic model for the Cairngorms National Park that benefits both people and nature to empowering young people through climate education and creating more sustainable transport options, such as e-bike networks and active travel infrastructure. Additionally, the project seeks to restore peatlands, expand woodlands, and make catchments more climate-resilient, all while engaging with local communities and encouraging responsible land management.

This document contains the risk management and risk register for the Heritage Horizons Project, as prepared by the Cairngorms National Park Authority. It highlights the management of externally funded programmes and outlines strategies to reduce associated risks, using a scoring system for likelihood and impact. The register identifies potential risks, their impacts, and mitigation measures, including actions to be taken and those under monitoring, alongside key risk mitigation actions that are still outstanding.

This document contains an update on the Cairngorms Peatland ACTION Programme. The programme aims to restore degraded peatlands, which cover a large portion of Scotland and the Cairngorms National Park. Degraded peatlands release greenhouse gases and contribute to poor water quality and increased flood risk. The Peatland ACTION programme is working towards restoring 250,000 hectares of peatland by 2030. The report discusses the progress made in the 2021/22 financial year, including hectares of peatland restoration and the budget. It also mentions future plans, such as data collection, a protocol for restoration work during breeding season, and continued training for contractors. The programme is currently on track to exceed expectations, but needs to address resource requirements and programme management procedures in order to ensure its sustainability.

This document contains delivery updates on the Cairngorms Local Action Group (LEADER) Programme and charitable giving activities managed by the Cairngorms Trust. The Performance Committee is asked to review these updates to assess their contribution to the Cairngorms National Park Authority's (NPA) strategic outcomes and performance objectives, as well as any impacts on strategic risk management. The document highlights strategic risks related to resourcing and staffing, and notes the alignment of activities with the National Park Partnership Plan's priorities, including developing voluntary giving schemes and improving transport options. The LEADER programme is progressing towards its planned closure, and while COVID-19 has interrupted the development of a voluntary giving scheme, potential partnerships for new funding streams are being explored, although the resources needed to deliver this scheme are under consideration.

This document contains the Cairngorms Trust's quarterly report for November 2021. It details the progress of various projects and initiatives, including the Osprey Nest for the Osprey Village project, which has seen increased visitors. It also covers the 2021 Cairngorms Green Recovery Fund Projects and highlights the need to continue marketing the Cairngorms Trust to increase donations. The report also includes a summary of donations received and claims paid out during the period.

This document contains the LEADER Quarterly Report for the Cairngorms LAG (Local Action Group) Trust, dated 16 November 2021. It provides a quarterly update from August 2021 to November 2021, including a project summary table, financial information, commitments to date, and monitoring and evaluation data. The report details the progress of various projects, including completed, ongoing, and at-risk projects, and the financial status of the LEADER program within the Cairngorms National Park. It also includes updates on specific projects and their achieved targets.

This document contains the receipts and payments accounts, report of the trustees, and the statement of balances for the Cairngorms Local Action Group Trust for the year ending 31 March 2021. The Trust is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) that aims to advance sustainable community led local development within and outwith Scotland by supporting citizenship, heritage, recreational facilities, and environmental improvement. During the year, the Trust supported community projects, launched a small grants scheme, and partnered with the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) to provide Green Recovery Funds. They also developed a Voluntary Giving Scheme and focused on developing a public profile for the charity. The financial review shows the sources of donations, allocation of funds, and plans for future fundraising. The statement of balances shows the current assets and funds for the year.

This document contains delivery updates on the Cairngorms Capercaillie Project, which aims to conserve capercaillie populations in the Cairngorms National Park. The project is addressing the factors that negatively affect capercaillie, such as habitat loss, disturbance, and climate change, by working with communities, improving habitats, and monitoring populations. The Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) is working with partners to deliver the project, which is funded in part by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. While the project is making positive progress, some challenges remain, including managing staff workload, resourcing, and addressing misunderstandings about the project's scope. A review of strategic risks was considered by the Audit and Risk Committee in September 2021.

This document contains a progress report from 1 October to 31 December 2021, for the Cairngorms Capercaillie Project, which aims to help the long-term survival of capercaillie in the UK. Funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund until July 2023, the project is working to enable community actions, raise awareness, research genetic diversity, improve habitat, and strengthen monitoring. The project involves partnerships with various organizations, including the Cairngorms National Park Authority, estates, and community groups. The report details progress in community-led actions, habitat improvement work on several estates, raising awareness through media, and genetic research. There are updates on specific communities such as Carrbridge and Deeside, and also for the mountain biking community. The report also outlines risks and issues, budget information, and a breakdown of expenditures and investments.

This document contains a request for the Cairngorms National Park Authority Performance Committee to consider the current structure and content of performance reporting to the board, and to give feedback to officers. It also includes context about the corporate reporting framework to the board, and states that reports to the Performance Committee should reflect this reporting context, and help identify where programmes and projects fit within the Cairngorms National Park Authority's strategic plans. The document also notes the importance of avoiding duplication and minimizing the volume of papers, and highlights the need for officers to identify any significant variations from the most recent board report. Finally, the document states that member advice on enhancements to reporting is welcome.