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.

CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY

FOR DECISION

Title: CAIRNGORMS BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP –
PROGRESS REPORT

Prepared by: Hamish Trench (Head of Heritage and Land
Management)

Purpose

To report to Finance Committee on:
a) development of the Cairngorms Business Partnership

b) delivery of 2009/10 projects and funding

c) draft CBP operational plan for 2010/11

Recommendations

That the committee consider the progress to date in development of the CBP, project
delivery for 2009/10 and consider principles for funding in 2010/11.

Executive Summary

The CBP steering group has been progressing towards the formal establishment of CBP and
will report to the meeting on progress. At the same time they have been delivering a series
of priority projects part funded by CNPA. This paper summarises the current delivery status
and advises of changes to the funding package as originally conceived, due to changes in the
CBP partners and funders. Joint CNPA/CBP work on operational plans for 2010/11 has
identified potential priorities to which CNPA may provide funds in 2010/11 and the
Committee is asked to consider the principles for funding next year.

CAIRNGORMS BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP – PROGRESS REPORT
FOR DECISION

Background

1. In September 2009 the Board approved a package of grant funding of up to £70,000
for the 2009/10 financial year to support the development of the CBP and delivery of
priority projects. The Expenditure Justification of 4th September 2009 is attached for
reference. The headlines from that are as follows:

2. The funding package was to support:
a) a contribution to CBP staffing costs;
b) Development of a marketing framework and action plan for the National Park
and related destinations;
c) Business Barometer
d) Development of private-sector-led Park-wide visitor website;
e) Park Aware programme;
f) Customer feedback survey;
g) Cairngorms National Park business conference.

3. Two conditions were attached to the grant:
a) Payments will not be made in advance of need and will require partner
contributions for the specified actions to be secured;
b) A performance review meeting to be held in January involving appropriate
Board members.

4. It was subsequently agreed that the Finance Committee on 19th February is the most
appropriate way to carry out the performance review required and this paper sets
out the information for that review.

5. Alan Rankin and Sandra Middleton will attend the Finance Committee meeting on
behalf of the CBP Steering Group to report on progress.

Development of the Cairngorms Business Partnership

6. The CBP Steering Group has met regularly with the aim of formally establishing the
CBP from 1st April 2010.

7. The CBP will present an update on the organisational development, including the
following aspects, at the meeting:
a) Participating organisations;
b) Membership fees and benefits package; and
c) Launch/transition plans.

8. CNPA has provided further support to the development of CBP through the loan of
a full-time member of staff and grant support for management consultancy to advise
on the membership model (£7,000 claimed in December 2009).

2009/10 project delivery and funding

9. The attached report from the CBP details the progress of delivery against the
priority projects.

10. The anticipated funding package has had to be amended due to changes in the
composition of the CBP and project sponsors. In December 2009 the Royal Deeside
and the Cairngorms DMO took the decision that they do not wish to become part
of the CBP, or to take part in individual CBP projects. Whilst this decision does not
prevent the establishment of the CBP, it has meant that the original funding
arrangements for project delivery have changed.

11. The anticipated funding contributions from Scottish Enterprise (£15,000) and
Aberdeenshire Council (£10,000) were channelled through RDCDMO and are
therefore no longer available to the CBP projects in 2009/10.

12. The business barometer and customer satisfaction survey remain part-funded by
Highland Council, with staff time support through ACDMO from Highlands and
Islands Enterprise.

13. In order to secure delivery of the priority projects for the Park, particularly the
marketing strategy and visitor website, the CBP has adjusted its work programme
and finance package.

14. The current status of the projects is summarised as follows:

Project:	Marketing Strategy
Funding:	Budget: £32,826
	CNPA funding: £17,127
	CNPA & HIE staffing support
Status:	Contractor appointed; work
	programme underway in
	tandem with sustainable
	tourism strategy

Project:	Visitor Website
Funding:	Budget: £19,267
	CNPA funding: £11,000
	HC funding: £1,000
	CNPA & HIE staffing support	
Status:	Project plan underway	

Project:	Business Barometer
Funding:	Budget: £12,223
	CNPA funding: £6,747
	HC funding: £2,000
	CNPA & HIE staffing support
Status:	Ongoing delivery

Project:	Business Conference
Funding:	Budget £10,360
	CNPA funding £10,282
	CNPA & HIE staffing support
Status:	Delivered

Project:	Customer Feedback
Funding:	Budget: £18,008
	CNPA funding: £11,344
	HC funding: £3,000
	CNPA & HIE staffing support
Status:	Ongoing delivery

Project:	Park Aware
Status:	Delayed to 2010/11


Payments made to date

15. To date two payments have been claimed and paid to CBP under this offer of grant:
a) November 2009 £25,000
b) January 2010 £24,941

CBP Operational Plan for 2010/11

16. CBP are currently developing their business plan for 2010/11. A joint CBP/CNPA
meeting has already identified that there is good synergy and there are likely to be a
number of priority areas in which CNPA would seek to deliver through CBP, and to
which funding may be directed. CNPA will continue to support the development of
the CBP through the loan of a member of staff, for at least the first half of the next
financial year.

17. It is likely that CNPA funding to CBP in 2010/11 would be directed at specific
deliverables in the following priorities:
a) CNP marketing campaigns (implementing the marketing strategy)
b) Enhanced uptake of CNP brand and associated environmental support for
businesses
c) Business barometer and customer feedback
d) Park Aware programme
e) Food and drink network development
f) Park-wide publications

18. While there is some provision within CNPA’s operational plan for 2010/11 for these
areas of work, detailed discussions on what CBP can deliver are yet to take place, so
at this stage Finance Committee is asked to consider the broad principles for
2010/11 funding rather than take a decision on specific outputs or value.

Next Steps

19. Board update and discussion on CBP – 19th March 2010

20. CNPA & CBP staff to agree key deliverables and funding for 2010/11

21. CBP to submit report on 2009/10 delivery at end of financial year

Hamish Trench
4th February 2010
hamishtrench@cairngorms.co.uk

ANNEX 1
Cairngorms Business Partnership CNPA Grant Claim Report
January 2010

1. Introduction

1.1 This report provides an update on progress with the 2009/2010 Delivery Programme
for the Cairngorms Business Partnership (CBP). Annex 1 of the report shows all
expenditure for this claim period. It also details anticipated expenditure required
prior to the next grant claim on 19th March 2010. This report was compiled for
submission in December 2009, however, due to a number of issues (outlined below),
it was agreed with the CNPA that the claim be delayed until January 2010. The report
has been revised accordingly.

2. Development of the CBP

2.1 A third party supplier was contracted to develop proposals for the structure,
membership and benefits of the CBP. This has been the subject of discussion and
debate by the CBP Steering Group. Revised proposals, including a proposed fee
structure will be taken to the Steering group for approval on 21 January. Potential
CBP members will then receive a newsletter updating them on progress with the
Business Partnership and project delivery.

2.2 The Royal Deeside and the Cairngorms Destination Management Organisation
(RDCDMO) have indicated that they do not wish to become involved with the CBP at
this stage. The CBP Steering Group and Cairngorms Chamber of Commerce has
subsequently been in talks with representatives of the Ballater Business Association
who have indicated a strong desire to be involved in the CBP and related projects.
Further work will be undertaken with Deeside businesses and associated organisations
to ensure that their interests are represented on the CBP Steering Group and ongoing
projects.

2.3 Discussions are ongoing with the CNPA to enable development of an Operational
Plan for the CBP for the year 2010/11.

3. Partner Funding Contribution

3.1 In addition to work on each of the projects, a great deal of work has been done over
the past month on agreeing funding packages for each of the projects. Highland
Council has agreed £6,000 funding in principle towards three of the six projects.
These include the Business Barometer, Customer Feedback and Park Aware.

3.2 Scottish Enterprise and Aberdeenshire Council had agreed to commit funding to those
projects that the RDCDMO wish to be involved in. Due to the recent RDCDMO
decision not to become involved in the CBP or related projects, however, this funding
is no longer available.

3.3 Discussions have been ongoing with the CNPA and budgets revised to ensure that
projects can still be delivered. The original budget for the six projects totalled
£124,000. This has now been reduced to £94,045 and projects have been adapted
accordingly. A revised budget for the 6 projects can be viewed in Annex 2.

4. Project Progress Report

Project - Business Conference

4.1 The Cairngorms Business Conference took place on 4 November 2009. A progress
report was given in the previous grant claim on 11 November. Since that time the
Conference Report has been compiled and circulated and can be viewed in Annex 3 of
this report.

Project - Business Barometer

4.2 The Business Barometer went Park-wide on 1st October. A progress report was given
in the previous grant claim on 11th November. Since that time a summary report of
the findings has been sent out to all respondents, the Cairngorms Chamber of
Commerce, Royal Deeside and the Cairngorms Destination Management
Organisation, Aviemore and the Cairngorms Destination Management Organisation,
Glenlivet and the Cairngorms and the Angus Glens. The report can be viewed in
Annex 4 of this report.

4.3 The second Park-wide Barometer went live on the 5th of January and closed on the
18th of January. The total number of responses is shown in the table below:

Business Barometer Responses January 2010

Area:			Angus
Total No.
Businesses
Invited to Input:		21
No. of Respondents:	4				 	
% of businesses
responding:		19%
% of TOTAL
responses:		5%	

Area:			Badenoch & Strathspey
Total No.
Businesses
Invited to Input:		372 
No. of Respondents:	54 
% of businesses
responding:		15% 
% of TOTAL
responses:		68%

Area:			Deeside 
Total No.
Businesses
Invited to Input:		106 
No. of Respondents:	18 
% of businesses
responding:		17% 
% of TOTAL
responses:		23%


Area:			Glenlivet 
Total No.
Businesses
Invited to Input:		18 
No. of Respondents:	3 
% of businesses
responding:		17% 
% of TOTAL
responses:		4%


TOTAL No of Businesses Invited to Input: 517 
TOTAL No of Respondents:	79 
TOTAL % of businesses responding:	15% 
% of TOTAL repsonses:	100%

4.4 Whilst the total number of responses is down on the last Barometer, it is encouraging
when taking into account how busy businesses have been with the recent snow. The
CBP is therefore very happy with this response rate at this time. The details of the
responses are now undergoing analysis and will be reported in due course.
Discussions have commenced regarding the further development of the barometer to
make it more relevant to businesses operating out with the tourism sector.

Project - Marketing Framework

4.5 Prior to the decision of the RDCDMO to withdraw from CBP projects, a Project Brief
for the Marketing Framework and Campaign Plan was approved by funding partners
and the Steering Group. A Supplier Brief was sent out to an agreed list of suppliers,
and four tenders received. A robust scoring process was undertaken and a supplier
has been identified. It has subsequently been agreed with the CNPA that elements of
the project be delayed to enable the stakeholder engagement and consultation for the
project to be brought in line with the review of the Sustainable Tourism Strategy. A
revised timetable and brief for the project is now being compiled in conjunction with
the CNPA.

4.6 The Marketing Framework and Campaign Plan which will cover the period 2011-2013
will therefore not be in place by April 2010 as previously agreed. It is anticipated that
this project will be complete by October 2010 at which time CBP will be working with
funding partners and marketing opportunities to work towards delivery of the
campaign plan in 2011.

4.7 It has been agreed that the design and style element of the marketing work be carried
out at an early stage in the project. This design and style work will inform the look
and feel of the website which will be in place by 1st April 2010.

Project - Visitor Website

4.8 CBP have been working closely with the CNPA to identify an agreed approach to the
development of a visitor website. This website will sit alongside wider work being
carried out by the CNPA on a web portal for the Park. A Project Brief was compiled
for the Visitor Website and a detailed project plan developed which is closely linked
to the marketing framework.

4.9 Due to issues arising in relation to project budgets the CBP have been in discussion
with CNPA to identify potential solutions. An approach has been agreed that will
enable the website to be delivered at a much reduced budget and within the
timescales required. A revised Project Brief is now being compiled and will be
submitted to the CNPA for approval.

Project – Customer Satisfaction/Feedback Survey

4.10 Due to ongoing discussions with funders it was unclear for a time as to whether or
not this project could be taken forward. The scope and range of delivery of this
project is currently being reviewed due to re-alignment of budgets. Discussions have
now re-commenced with the preferred supplier. This project is also considered to be
a membership benefit for the CBP. A Project Brief will be developed for this project
in February and submitted to funders for approval.

Project - Park Aware

4.11 This project has not yet been developed. It has been identified, however, that there is
potential to take it forward through a variety of mechanisms. This has been discussed
within recent operational planning meetings and has been factored in to planning for
the ATTA World Summit in October in relation to local businesses and activity
providers. This is expected to influence future delivery of this project.

5. Expenditure

5.1 Since the time of the last grant claim a total of £2,677.67 has been spent on invoices
relating to the Business Conference. A further £1,263.88 is required for Project
Director costs. Prior to the final grant claim on 19th March 2010 it is anticipated that
the CBP will need to undertake a total expenditure of £21,000 for payment of third
party suppliers. As such this is also included in this grant claim to ensure that the CBP
have the required cash flow to enable payment as required. Full details of actual and
proposed expenditure are detailed in Annex 1 of this report.

Sandra Middleton
On behalf of Cairngorms Business Partnership
sandra.j.middleton@gmail.com
Tel. 01479 810200
Inverdruie House, Inverdruie, Aviemore, PH22 1QH
20 January 2010

ENDS