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CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY 
Finance Committee Paper 1 20/02/09 

CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY 


FOR DECISION 


Title: Economic Baseline Review 

Prepared by: Chris Bremner, Sustainable Economy Manager 
John Thorne, Economic Development Officer 

Purpose 

To seek the Committee’s approval for funding to update current economic 
baseline information for the Park. 

Recommendations 

The Committee is asked to: 

a) Agree to the CNPA funding up to 75% of the total project cost and 
that a maximum of £30k be approved from the 2009/10 Operational 
Plan. 

Executive Summary 

Baseline economic data was gathered for the Park and surrounding area by 
SQW consultants in 2002/03. With the Park established for five years and the 
Park Plan now two years old a measure of progress is required; in simple 
terms: what effect has National Park status had on the area? Closely related 
is the need to assess the effect of improvements and additions to business 
support organisations such as the Cairngorms Chamber of Commerce, 
Destination Managament Organisations and the introduction of the Park 
Brand. 

The project aims to: update the existing baseline economic information; 
improve the current indicators and measurement thereof; analyse trends in 
activity; analyse the impact the National Park has had on the area; identify 
opportunities for strengthening the local economy; and, recommend a 
longer-term methodology for regular monitoring. 

Existing complementary studies from HIE and Scottish Enterprise will be 
incorporated but a bespoke and focussed study on the Park area is required. 
The DMOs and CCC are fully supportive and have helped shape the project. 
HIE have agreed to fund 25% of the projet cost. 

PAGE 2

It is a discreet project that will be tendered to a variety of established 
economic and rural consultancy firms. The final report will be delivered by 17 
August 2009 and the project will complete by October 2009 with 
presentations to local business organisations. 

March 2009