Performance Committee - June 2023

This document contains the draft minutes of the Performance Committee Meeting held at Macdonald Aviemore Resort on 10 March 2023. The meeting covered several topics including the Heritage Horizons Programme update, the Cairngorms Peatland Action Programme for 2022-23, Cairngorms Footpath Maintenance, and the Cairngorms Capercaillie Project. Discussions included project funding, community engagement, peatland restoration success factors, footpath maintenance strategies, and genetic diversity within the Capercaillie population. The committee also noted action points and the upcoming meeting date.

This document contains an update on the Cairngorms National Park Authority's (Park Authority) Peatland ACTION programme for 2022-23 and its progress in 2023-24. The programme aims to help achieve targets set by the Scottish Government for peatland restoration. In 2022-23, the programme restored an estimated 1080 hectares of peatland, exceeding its 905 hectare target, and worked on 15 projects across the National Park. For 2023-24, the target is 1300 hectares, and while contracts for 618 hectares are already awarded, landowners are encouraged to develop more agent-led projects. Financial support from the Scottish Government for 2022-23 was £3.47 million. To further improve the programme, a management framework is under review to outline all controls, processes, and documentation from pre-application to project closure.

This document contains a progress report on the Cairngorms Capercaillie Project, which aims to secure the long-term survival of capercaillie in the UK with funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund until January 2024. Key actions include enabling community-led actions, raising awareness, researching genetic diversity, improving habitat, and strengthening monitoring. The project is a collaboration led by the Cairngorms National Park Authority, working with various estates, forestry organizations, and community groups. The report details progress in areas such as community engagement in Carrbridge, mountain biking community initiatives, business and visitor community projects, and actions in the Deeside area, as well as work with the dog walking community, plus plans to increase awareness and habitat improvement work, project risks, and the project's budget.

This document contains the latest updates on the Cairngorms Capercaillie Project, which aims to help capercaillie survival through community conservation, raise awareness, and improve habitat management. The Performance Committee is asked to review delivery updates and consider progress towards the project's goals. Positive progress is being made, with communities actively involved, volunteers contributing over 3,300 hours, and habitat improvement work ongoing. The project is also working to secure a firm legacy and integrate its learning into future conservation efforts. While there are strategic risks related to staffing, resources, and reputation, senior managers believe there are no matters of strategic significance that need escalation at this time.

This document contains an overview of the Cairngorms Nature Festival (CNF) in 2023, including its activities and performance against its goals. The festival aims to raise awareness and understanding of nature, encourage pro-environmental behaviors, and connect people with the landscape. The performance committee is asked to review project delivery, summarize the 2023 event, and assess any significant impacts. The festival involved 82 events and 158 activities, supported by 60 partners, with a focus on various themes like volunteering, outdoor activities, and skills development. It reached over 1,000 pupils in 15 primary schools for the Art Competition, plus a hike for refugees. The 2023 budget was £45,000, and the Cairngorms Nature Engagement Officer works on the festival full time from January to May, supported by interns and communications staff. There are risks associated with staffing, such as increased workload and staff turnover, as well as reputational risks related to partner collaboration.

This document contains delivery updates on the Cairngorms Leader Programme and voluntary and charitable activities managed by the Cairngorms Leader Local Action Group Trust (Cairngorms Trust), focusing on securing replacement Leader funding for Community Led Local Development (CLLD). The Performance Committee is asked to review these updates, considering their contribution to strategic outcomes, impacts on performance objectives, and effects on strategic risk management. While the Leader Programme has concluded successfully, securing future Community Led Local Development funding equivalent to Leader levels remains a challenge, with initial allocations for 2023/24 lower than previous levels, though the Cairngorms Trust is working to secure additional funding. The document also highlights the need to increase voluntary giving returns and acknowledges strategic risks related to resourcing and staffing, but senior managers do not think there are any matters of strategic significance that merit escalation.

This document contains the minutes from the Cairngorms National Park Authority's Performance Meeting held on 9 June 2023. Discussions included updates on the Peatland Action Programme, the Capercaillie Project, and the Cairngorms Nature Festival. The committee also reviewed the Cairngorms Local Action Group Trust (Cairngorms Trust) and Community Led Local Development (CLLD) funding, and talked about securing multi-year funding for community initiatives and a potential visitor levy by Highland Council. The next meeting is scheduled for 8 September 2023.