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 Paper 3 23/01/08 CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY FOR DISCUSSION Title: National Park Plan 4-Monthly Progress Report 1 Prepared by: Gavin Miles, Strategic Policy & Planning Officer Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide the Board and all the partners involved in delivering the National Park Plan with regular updates of progress in delivering the National Park Plan. Executive Summary This paper provides a summary of progress in delivering the actions set out in the National Park Plan and an assessment of the likelihood of achieving the 5-year outcomes under each Priority for Action. It shows that: a) By the end of 2008, about 80% of the 163 actions in the National Park Plan were considered to be on track to be delivered, with some uncertainty or doubt about 20% of the actions b) By the end of 2008, 60% of the 5-year outcomes are considered to be likely to be achieved by 2012 but that there is doubt or uncertainty about the current ability to achieve 40% of the 5-year outcomes by 2012. The paper also introduces a set of National Park Plan performance indicators to show its contribution towards the Scottish Government’s National Outcomes, linking the delivery of the Park Plan’s actions to the National Outcome associated with high quality public services. NATIONAL PARK PLAN 4-MONTHLY PROGRESS REPORT 1 – FOR DISCUSSION Introduction 1. This National Park Plan monitoring report is prepared 3 times per year to provide a regular snapshot of and monitor progress in delivering the Cairngorms National Park Plan’s Priorities for Action 2007-2012. It supplements the more detailed and comprehensive annual report of progress in delivering the National Park Plan 2. The report provides an assessment of the overall status and progress towards delivering the 5-year outcomes and the actions needed to deliver them. Both the 5-year outcomes and actions are assessed using the ‘traffic lights’ system of green-amber-red to provide a simple visual summary where: a) Green = Progress towards the outcome or action is on track and there is confidence that the outcome or action will be achieved by, or before 2012; b) Amber = There is uncertainty about whether the outcome or action will be achieved, or there may be delays in achieving it. c) Red = The outcome or action will not, or is unlikely to be achieved. 3. The assessment has been undertaken by the respective CNPA officers managing each Priority for Action. Further detail on the reasoning behind the assessment of individual outcomes is provided in the tables of Annex 1. 4. This report also provides an introduction to the performance indicators chosen to demonstrate the National Park Plan’s contribution to the most relevant Scottish Government outcomes. Summary of Progress towards 5-year outcomes 5. The assessment of progress towards 5 year outcomes is intended to provide a simple guide to progress. It is based on a combination of: the progress in delivering the Park Plans actions; any information available on the outcome’s indicator; and any other relevant information available to the programme manager. 6. The assessment is therefore mainly qualitative, and expresses the confidence that the programme manager has that the outcome will be achieved by 2012. Further detail on the assessment is shown in Annex 1. Each of the outcomes has a headline indicator that is intended to help measure or demonstrate progress towards the outcome and these are described in Annex 1. However, updated information on those indicators is normally available on a yearly or less frequent timescale, so they are unlikely to have provided the basis for the assessment of progress. The National Park Plan’s annual progress report will provide more comprehensive assessments of progress towards the outcomes as well as updated information and commentary on the outcomes’ headline indicators. 7. Figure 1 below summarises the overall assessment of progress towards the 5 year outcomes. The numbers shown in each block refer to the number of outcomes that are considered to be that status. The figure shows that overall, 60% of the 5-year outcomes are considered to be green and 40% are considered amber. None of the outcomes are considered to be red (or not achievable) at this time. 8. There is considerable variation in the assessment between Priorities for Action, partly reflecting the priorities that are most difficult to influence or subject to the greatest external pressures. It should be remembered that the priorities for action and the 5 year outcomes were intended to be a challenge when they were set, so amber assessments at less than two years in to the Plan should be expected. Equally, green assessments at this point do not necessarily mean that the outcomes will be delivered as progress could falter or unexpected pressures or changes make achieving them more difficult than currently expected. Figure 1 - National Park Plan PFA 5-year outcomes (Bar chart not available in full text format) Summary of Progress in delivering the National Park Plan’s Actions 9. The assessment of progress in delivering the National Park Plan’s Actions is intended to be a clear operational statement about the likelihood of those actions being delivered. When the Park Plan was prepared, the actions it identified were those that it was considered necessary to take in order to deliver the 5-year outcomes. So in principle, the successful delivery of all the actions would ensure delivery of the 5-year outcomes. 10. Figure 2 below summarises the overall assessment of progress in delivering the National Park Plan’s actions. The numbers shown in each block refer to the number of outcomes that are considered to be that status. This information has informed the assessments of progress towards the 5-year outcomes in the previous section of the report. 11. The figure shows that around 80% of the actions in the Park Plan are considered to be green and on track to be delivered, with around 20% considered to be amber and requiring more attention or alternative action. None of the actions are considered to be red at this time. More detail on the progress of individual actions is available from Gavin Miles, or the CNPA officer managing each priority for action. Figure 2 - National Park Plan PFA Actions (Bar chart not available in full text format) The National Park Plan’s Contribution to Scottish Government Outcomes 12. The table below outlines the 9 Scottish Government National Outcomes that are most relevant to the National Park Plan and describes the performance indicators for each outcome. In this progress report, the outcome and indicator that are most significant are those shaded in the bottom row of the table. The performance indicator is taken from the previous section of the report on the number of National Park Plan actions that are on track to be delivered and provides a baseline of 80% from December 2008. National Outcome / Performance indicator / Comment We value and enjoy our built and natural environment and protect it and enhance it for future generations. Ongoing increase in the number of priority species for which positive action is underway - National Outcome / Performance indicator / Comment We reduce the local and global environmental impact of our consumption and production. Increasing the number of businesses approved to use the National Park brand. - National Outcome / Performance indicator / Comment We realise our full economic potential with more and better employment opportunities for our people. Increasing the number of business start -ups Information to be accessed from Scottish Neighbourhood Statistics during 2009. National Outcome / Performance indicator / Comment We live in well-designed, sustainable places where we are able to access the amenities and services we need. % of consented housing developments that comply with Policies 17 & 18 in the Deposit Cairngorms Local Plan (and adopted Local PLAN) Indicator to be applied in the future. National Outcome / Performance indicator / Comment We live longer, healthier lives. Increasing the number of health walking schemes operating in National Park - National Outcome / Performance indicator / Comment We have tackled the significant inequalities in Scottish society. Annual ratio of households in housing need to number of social rented available for rent and low cost home ownership properties for sale. Information currently being collated for each Local Authority area National Outcome / Performance indicator / Comment We have strong, resilient and supportive communities where people take responsibility for their own actions and how they affect others. Increase in the proportion of the Park’s population covered by community action plans - National Outcome / Performance indicator / Comment We take pride in a strong, fair and inclusive national identity. Cairngorms Visitor Survey (CVS) Increasing the proportion of visitors for whom the National Park was an important feature of their decision to visit the area. New data available 2010. National Outcome / Performance indicator / Comment Our public services are high quality, continually improving, efficient and responsive to local people's needs. % of National Park Plan Actions on track to be delivered. 80% End 2008 Implications for ongoing delivery of the National Park Plan 13. The 4 monthly reports will be the foundation for monitoring the delivery of the National Park Plan’s Priorities for Action. They will provide the Board and partners with as clear a picture as possible of ongoing delivery and performance. 14. Where the reporting shows an assessment for an outcome or action (either red or amber), that is considered to require urgent action by the National Park Plan delivery partners and/or CNPA programme managers, the report will provide a more detailed explanation of the reasons for the assessment, implications for delivery, and any responses proposed. 15. This report shows no red assessments or amber assessments where urgent action is considered necessary, so no additional or alternative action is proposed at this time. Next Steps 16. These 4-monthly reports are intended to supplement the more comprehensive annual progress reports on the National Park Plan. A more detailed annual review of progress in delivering the National Park Plan delivery will be given to the Board in May 2009. The annual progress report will provide more detailed assessments of progress towards the 5-year outcomes, including updated information and commentary on the outcomes’ headline indicators. It will also provide a statement on the longer term State of the Park, with additional information on key trends and relationships. 17. It is expected that subsequent reports will be able to draw on improved and more accurate data, refining and making assessments clearer. It is intended that future reports will take the same basic format but will demonstrate changes in delivery and revised assessments of progress. 18. The Board are not being asked to take any decisions through this paper. However, staff would welcome comments on the principle and format of this 4-monthly report as well as intentions for future reports in order to make them as informative and easily understood as possible. Gavin Miles January 2009 gavinmiles@cairngorms.co.uk