Performance Committee - May 2022

This document contains the draft minutes from the Cairngorms National Park Authority's Performance Committee meeting held on 11 February 2022. Key topics discussed included updates on the Heritage Horizons (HH) project, the Cairngorms Peatland Action Programme, the Cairngorms Local Action Group (LEADER) Programme, and the Cairngorms Capercaillie Project. The committee reviewed project progress, considered risks and impacts, and identified action points for follow-up. There was also discussion about a performance dashboard for the committee and the need to experiment with a new reporting format. The next meeting was scheduled for 13 May 2022.

This document contains the agenda for the Cairngorms National Park Authority Performance Committee meeting on 13 May 2022, held at 9am via Lifesize Video Conferencing. The agenda includes items such as welcome, apologies, declarations of interest, and approval of minutes from the last meeting. It also features an update on the Heritage Horizons Programme and discussions on the Cairngorms Peatland Action Programme, Cairngorms Leader and Cairngorms Trust Delivery, and the Cairngorms Capercaillie Project. The next meeting is scheduled for 12 August 2022 at 2.30pm via Lifesize.

This document contains the Q1 2022 delivery update on the Heritage Horizons: Cairngorms 2030 Programme, including planned development work to end June 2022, and asks the Cairngorms National Park Authority (Park Authority) Performance Committee to review and consider updates. The Park Authority was successful in its bid to the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) and was awarded £1.7 million to complete the development phase. The report provides a performance overview, looking at delivery against strategic expectations, risks under management, programme delivery actions to end June 2022, and project management, including theme lead and project roles. Some transport projects have been re-profiled to meet Sustrans Scotland ‘Places for Everyone’ funding and consultation requirements and the next Programme Board meeting is proposed for late July 2022.

This document contains an update on the Cairngorms National Park Authority's (Park Authority) Peatland ACTION Programme. The Performance Committee is asked to review the delivery updates for the programme and consider whether the activity is helping to reach the Park Authority's strategic outcomes and performance objectives. In 2021/22, the programme exceeded its target by restoring 730 hectares of peatland due to focusing on easier drain blocking work, although the capital finance available was reduced. For 2022/23, the programme aims to restore 905 hectares, supported by funding from the Scottish Government, however contractor and staff constraints may impact delivery, requiring a focus on drain blocking. An internal audit highlighted risks to the Peatland team, and the programme's success depends on addressing staff resource issues and implementing a Management Action Plan.

This document contains the latest delivery updates on the Cairngorms Local Action Group (LEADER) Programme and voluntary and charitable giving activities managed by the Cairngorms LEADER Local Action Group Trust (Cairngorms Trust). It asks the Performance Committee to review the updates and consider their impact on the Cairngorms National Park Authority's (NPA) strategic outcomes and risk management. The LEADER Programme concluded in December 2021, with 95% of the allocation spent. There is a continued effort to increase voluntary giving returns within the Trust's future funding profile. The Trustees are engaging in the development of national policy around the future of community led local development funding in Scotland, with an increasingly positive outlook.

This document contains the Cairngorms Trust January 2022 quarterly report. It highlights the work that was completed in the last quarter of 2021, including projects and re-establishing contacts. Voluntary giving was up and several Cairngorms Green Recovery Fund projects were making good progress. The Transport Hub has now been installed in Aviemore. As for the first quarter of 2022, projects that have demanded the most attention have been the Youth LAG and Green Change Fund. A new campaign project information is ready for the Trustees to approve and get out. Other projects include the Osprey Nest for the Osprey Village, the Cairngorms Green Recovery Fund, Cairngorms Green Change Fund and the TICK Project. The bank balance as of January 1st 2022 was £136,778.11 and the total income was £56,406.46.

This document contains a quarterly report from the Cairngorms LAG (Local Action Group) Trust, covering November 2021 to February 2022. It gives an update on the LEADER (Liaison Entre Actions de Développement de l'Économie Rurale) Programme, noting its closure at the end of December 2021 and the ongoing work to finalise payments and reconcile records. The report also includes a summary of project activity, financial information, and monitoring and evaluation data, highlighting successes and areas where targets were not met. It mentions specific projects like Active Cairngorms E-bikes, the Aviemore Transport Hub, and Wigwam Holidays, as well as co-operation projects.

This document contains the latest updates on the Cairngorms Capercaillie Project, presented for discussion by the Performance Committee. The committee is asked to review progress towards the project's goals, consider impacts on the Cairngorms National Park Authority's (CNPA) Corporate Plan and Partnership Plan, and assess any effects on the CNPA's strategic risk management. The project has seen positive progress, with habitat improvements and increased social media engagement, though some aspects are facing delays. The project is operating with a full staff and is working to address potential risks, including staffing workload, resource allocation, and reputational issues. The Cairngorms Capercaillie Project Board will decide in June whether to seek a project extension to make sure of a firm legacy across all areas of work within the project.

This document contains a progress report for the Cairngorms Capercaillie Project, covering January to March 2022. The project aims to help capercaillie survive in the long term in the UK, with actions being carried out across the Cairngorms National Park. Key activities include enabling community-led conservation efforts, raising awareness about capercaillie, researching their genetic diversity, improving their habitat, and strengthening monitoring. The report details progress in different communities (Carrbridge, mountain biking, business, visitor, and Deeside), as well as work with landowners to improve habitat. The project also focuses on managing risks and monitoring its budget.