Resources Committee - November 2023

This document contains the draft minutes from the Cairngorms National Park Authority's Resource Committee meeting, which was held virtually and in person on 11 August 2023. Key topics discussed included budget monitoring for the 2023/24 financial year, an update on the estimated outturn position for the 2022/23 financial year, and the Cairngorms National Park Authority's workforce management strategy. The committee also reviewed the minutes from the Staff Consultative Forum and the Health and Safety Committee. The next meeting is scheduled for 10 November 2023.

This document contains the Cairngorms National Park Authority's budget management position at the end of the second quarter of the 2023/24 financial year, ending on 30 September 2023. Overall, expenditure is within budget, being 29% lower than expected for the first half of the year. Staff costs for the first half of the year were £2.54m, and the full year budget is £4.94m. There is pressure on the budget for staff costs, and while project costs are expected to be recovered, there is a risk of underspending on peatland restoration projects by year-end. Expenditure on operational plan activities is under 10% of the total budget for the year, but most other spending is expected to align with the budget.

This document contains a summary of the Cairngorms National Park Authority's expenditure against its planned budget, including budget adjustments that have occurred since the budget was formally approved. As of September 30, 2023, total expenditure was under the phased budget by £701,230. Changes in funding availability, including peatland restoration, payroll and lease accounting, are detailed. Some funds were reallocated to cover budget shortfalls, extend the Green Health Link Worker contract, and support nature recovery activities, resulting in a small surplus of £3,000.

This document contains an update on the estimated financial position for the 2022/23 financial year for the Cairngorms National Park Authority. The audit fieldwork has been carried out and the draft figures are a fair indication of the financial performance for the year, with no changes made. The financial summary compares the budgeted funding level with spending in June and August/October for core resources, capital, peatland, and biodiversity funds. The Committee is asked to consider the estimated outturn position for the 2022/23 financial year.

This document contains the draft Annual Report of the Resources Committee to the Cairngorms National Park Authority Board for the period of August 2022 to October 2023, dated 10 November 2023. The Resources Committee was established following a review of the Cairngorms National Park Authority's board committee structures and it combined the responsibilities of previous committees. The report reviews the Committee's activities, including staff pay, budget development and monitoring, equality duties, staff engagement and health and safety operations. The committee feels it has been successful in discharging its remit and no significant changes are needed in the coming year. The Resources Committee is seeking the board's review and agreement on any amendments before submission in September.

This document contains the draft minutes from the Cairngorms National Park Authority's Staff Consultative Forum held on 14 September 2023. Key items discussed included the Gender Diversity Policy, with feedback and adoption of the policy. The Staff Register of Interests Policy was also discussed, resulting in the policy being adopted, along with the Hybrid Working Policy. The forum also provided a verbal update on the 2023/24 pay award, including status impacts for staff leavers, followed by a discussion on Health and Safety, Leadership, and Equalities. The meeting concluded with information that two board members would soon be appointed, and the new members would be joining the board in November.

This document contains the minutes from the Cairngorms National Park Authority's Health & Safety meeting on 18 May 2023. The meeting covered a review of previous minutes, an update on the electronic sign-in system, food hygiene training, new staff member correspondence, and the Garmin lone working device. It also discussed facilities and ranger matters, including fire safety, delivery storage, trainee rangers, and first aid cover for events. Finally, the document lists actions from the meeting and outstanding actions from previous meetings, along with responsible persons and their status.