WARNING - By their nature, text files cannot include scanned images and tables. The process of converting documents to text only, can cause formatting changes and misinterpretation of the contents can sometimes result. Wherever possible you should refer to the pdf version of this document. ILMF meeting 07/03/05 Draft minutes Grantown on Spey 3pm - 7.30pm Present Alastair MacLennan (chair) Roy Dennis Marina Dennis Jim Innes Frank Law Eoin Smith Robert MacDonald Will Boyd-Wallis Richard Cooke Alister Clunas Kenny Taylor Bob Dunsmore Steve North John Brown Fiona Newcombe (CNPA) Peter Cosgrove (CNPA) Hamish Trench (CNPA) Eleanor Mackintosh (CNPA Board) Basil Dunlop part of meeting (CNPA Board) Andy Mitchell (ERM) Gillian Urquhart (ERM) Apologies Nicola Abrams Ian Francis Johnnie Grant Alistair Laing Drennan Watson Vicky Thompson Welcome and introduction 1. The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced ERM, the consultancy producing the draft issues papers. The primary purpose of the meeting was to feed into the draft objectives and issues papers. This is part of an on-going process on developing land management and natural heritage issues in the National Park Plan. It was noted that the issues papers were at an early draft and still required much work. It was noted that the ILMF was not being asked to endorse the issues papers. Round table discussion 2. There was not enough time to discuss all the draft issues papers, so it was agreed to concentrate upon a handful of key priorities. Nature conservation 3. Clarity needed on where previous work e.g. by the Cairngorms Partnership and other previous consultations, fitted into the issues papers and the process of objective setting. 4. Some issues are of more immediate concern than others. People have ideas and these need to be captured and implemented. 5. It was suggested that not all issues could be tackled immediately and that the most pressing issues should be highlighted for initial efforts by all in the Park. Agriculture 6. Poor situation for farming and crofting is a serious cross-cutting issue, so cannot invest properly in nature conservation etc. 7. Enhanced management contracts are a big priority. 8. Suitable support for mixed farming is the key issue. 9. Money taken away from current support mechanisms should be ploughed back into public benefits on farm/croft land. 10. Not enough cereals, species rich grasslands, well-managed water margins and cattle. Producing food is still seen as a key output though. 11. Change mindsets about other products (public benefits) that farmers provide, linking into tourism, flood alleviation etc. 12. Role for highlighting exemplar management on particular estates. 13. Focus on new opportunities through new schemes to market, label and sell local produce. Deer management 14. Deer numbers are not the problem, it is their impact. 15. Lots is now being done, but there is no Park wide co-ordination of activities. 16. Cannot be looked at in isolation, must considered along side other grazing impacts sheep, rabbits, hares. 17. Pan-Park deer management should allow for a multiplicity of objectives and not try to be too prescriptive across the whole area. 18. Significant time and spatial elements that must be considered for a holistic approach to be successful. Landscape 19. Definitions important, but widespread acceptance that it is a positive resource, relatively unmodified, that is at the heart of almost all local economic activities. 20. Good landscapes are a diminishing resource and it is important for Park to recognise this before more is lost. 21. Different landscape policies for different places, reflecting the variety that is present in the Park. 22. Long-term timescales particularly important when considering landscape and change. Main aim should be to avoid mediocrity and treasure what is special. 23. Wild land characteristics important in terms of people’s perceptions of the Park. AOB 24. A request was made to have a further opportunity to input into the issues papers, once they were much further progressed.