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CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY 
Planning Paper 12 8 February 2008 

CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY 


Title: ELECTION OF CONVENER AND DEPUTY CONVENER 
OF PLANNING COMMITTEE 

Prepared by: JANE HOPE, CHIEF EXECUTIVE 
DON MCKEE, HEAD OF PLANNING 


Purpose 

To seek Board approval to remuneration and election arrangements for Convener and 
Deputy Convener of the Planning Committee. 


Recommendations 

That the Board agree: 

a) That the Convener of the Planning Committee is remunerated on the basis of 4 days 
per month; 

b) The proposed date (8th March) for election of the Convener and Deputy Convener of 
the Committee. 


Executive Summary 

The past 5 years have shown that the Convenership of the Planning Committee is a 
demanding job. To date, the post has always been held by the Convener of the Board; as a 
result, the issue of time input and appropriate remuneration has not arisen, as this has in 
effect been absorbed by the Convener’s remuneration arrangements (8 days a month). The 
current Convener wishes to stand down as Convener of the Planning Committee. It is 
proposed that election of a new Planning Committee Convener is held on 8th March 2008, 
and that remuneration attaches to this post, given its importance and work load. It is 
proposed the postholder is remunerated for 4 days a month. (as opposed to 3 days per 
month which is the usual remuneration for members). 



Election of Convener and Deputy Convener of Planning Committee 

Background 

1. The post of Convener of the CNPA Planning Committee is a challenging role, 
requiring considerable preparation before meetings, and dealing with the media 
afterwards. Since the start of the Park Authority the post has been held by the 
Convener of the Board, so the time commitment has been adsorbed within the 
Convener’s remuneration arrangements of 2 days a week (8 days per month). 

2. The current Convener wishes to step down as Convener of the Planning Committee. 
It is therefore proposed that in recognition of the workload and responsibility 
attaching to the post, the postholder is remunerated on the basis of 4 days a month. 
This is equivalent to the remuneration of the Deputy Convener of the Board; 
“ordinary” members are paid on the basis of 3 days per month. The proposal does 
not extend to the Deputy Convener of the Planning Committee. 

Financial Implications 

3. The proposal would result in additional expenditure to the CNPA of around £2,300 
per year (the equivalent of 1 extra day per month), representing 0.8% of annual 
Board costs. 

Presentational Implications 

4. Paying additional money on salaries always deserves careful examination, and in this 
case is well justified. There is a benefit in spreading responsibility wider than the 
Board Convener who is then freed up to devote time to other issues. The additional 
cost is only 0.8% of the total Board costs, small in comparison with the importance of 
the job. The proposal is replicating practice at the other Scottish National Park 
Authority. 

Implications for Stakeholders 

5. None. 


Jane Hope 
Don McKee 
February 2008 

janehope@cairngorms.co.uk 
donmckee@cairngorms.co.uk