Resources Committee - August 2023

This document contains the agenda for the Resources Committee meeting of the Cairngorms National Park Authority on 11 August 2023 at 3.45pm in Grantown on Spey. The agenda includes a welcome and apologies, approval of previous meeting minutes, matters arising, declarations of interest, budget monitoring, the 2022/23 estimated outturn, the Cairngorms National Park Authority Workforce Management Strategy, draft minutes of the Staff Consultative Forum, health and safety committee minutes, any other business, and the date of the next meeting on 10 November 2023.

This document contains an overview of the Cairngorms National Park Authority's budget management at the end of the first quarter of the 2023/24 financial year, ending on 30 June 2023. Overall, spending is less, around 12%, than expected for this time of year. Since the budget was approved, there have been some changes to the amount of funding available. The report also notes that a payment of £150,000 was made in March 2023 to support the Cairngorms 2030 (C2030) commitment. The cost of staff and board pay is within budget for the quarter, and running costs are also in line with expectations. The report recommends that the Resources Committee consider the budget management position for 2023/24.

This document contains a summary of expenditure against the profiled budget for the Cairngorms National Park Authority. It shows the financial figures for the year ending 30 June 2024, comparing actual spending to the planned budget, and details budget adjustments. It covers staff costs, board fees, project costs, running costs, and the operational plan, showing both income and expenditure and breaks down the operational plan investment.

This document contains an update on the estimated financial outcome for the Cairngorms National Park Authority for the 2022/23 financial year. The Resources Committee is asked to review this estimated outcome, which is still subject to the annual external audit planned for September/October 2023, with final figures expected in November 2023. The estimated outcome is updated to reflect the position on 30 June and presented to the Committee. Since the previous meeting, an accounting adjustment has led to an underspend of available resource funding, but overall, the estimated outcome position hasn't changed much since the Committee last looked at it in June.

This document contains the Cairngorms National Park Authority's Workforce Management Strategy, which refreshes the strategy approved in December 2018. The strategy aims to manage staff within the organisation while balancing operational needs and budget flexibility, taking into account the new National Park Partnership Plan (NPPP) 2023/27. The document outlines the strategic context, including phased reductions in working hours, increases in staff numbers for specific projects, a hybrid working environment, and the national policy of No Compulsory Redundancy (NCR). It also addresses workforce projections, intelligence, and action points, such as monitoring workforce demographics, reviewing fixed-term contracts, developing a mentorship scheme, and revisiting organisational values. Furthermore, the strategy details workforce management practices to meet budget constraints, including reviewing vacancies, redeploying staff, and considering time recording systems, and outlines Human Resource (HR) Management policies and succession planning approaches to support staff development and maintain a motivated workforce.

This document contains the draft minutes from the Staff Consultative Forum held by the Cairngorms National Park Authority on 19 June 2023. During the meeting, the group welcomed new representatives and reviewed minutes from a previous meeting in March. The group also discussed a Reasonable Adjustments Passport Policy and a review of hybrid working arrangements. There was an update on the 2023/24 pay award process and a discussion about health and safety, including PPE (personal protective equipment) for staff. The group then spoke about equalities, noting the completion of a contract with JRS KnowHow and a new partnership with Black Professional Scotland. Finally, there was a follow up on the terms and conditions, the electric car salary sacrifice scheme, staff induction process and the state of pigeonholes and a shed.

This document contains the minutes from the Cairngorms National Park Authority Health and Safety meeting held on 18 May 2023. Attendees included Kate Christie, Pip Mackie, Mark Pocock, Colin Simpson, Beccy Stanton and Alan Smith, with apologies from Emma Stewart. Key discussion points included updates to the electronic sign-in system, food hygiene training, new staff member correspondence regarding appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), the use of Garmin lone working devices, and various facilities matters. Actions were assigned to individuals to address issues such as reminding staff to check the sign-in iPads, developing food handling guidance, emailing line managers about risk assessment responsibilities, and ensuring fire exits and extinguishers remain clear. There were also a couple of risk assessment related actions.

This document contains the minutes from the Resource Committee Meeting held at the Cairngorms National Park Authority on 11 August 2023. The meeting covered topics such as budget monitoring, the 2022/23 estimated financial position, and the Cairngorms National Park Authority's workforce management strategy. The committee also discussed the Staff Consultative Forum and Health & Safety Committee meeting minutes. The next meeting is scheduled for 10 November 2023.