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 PLAN 2007 LIVING & WORKING ADVISORY FORUM MEETING NOTES 28TH SEPTEMBER 2007, COYLUMBRIDGE HILTON Present: Bell Macaulay Association of Cairngorms Communities Duncan MacKellar Cairngorms Chamber of Commerce Kate Adamson Association of Cairngorms Communities Kathy Peebles, Quality Meat Scotland Les Allan, Aberdeenshire Council Lorna Duguid, Scottish Enterprise Grampian Pamela Grant Cairngorms Chamber of Commerce Peter Argyle Councillor, Aberdeenshire Council Sandra Murray Cairngorm Mountain Ltd William Fergusson Lantra Scotland Lucy Grant Ross Watson CNPA Board Willie McKenna Gavin Miles Andrew Harper Don McKee CNPA staff Chris Taylor Fiona Munro Claire Ross Welcome & Remit of Advisory Forums Peter Argyll confirmed the remit of the new advisory forum would be to provide advice and feedback to the CNPA and its partner organisations on the management of the National Park, specifically in terms of progress being made in delivering the park plan, any issues or concerns that need to be addressed and helping to generate new ideas for policy and implementation. The second role is for the forums to help communicate key messages with other interested parties to help gain their support and understanding for the work being carried out in association with the Park Plan. The scope of the forum will be to provide a strategic overview of the progress being made across the Park from the perspective of people living and Working in the Park, one of the Park Plan’s strategic themes. Membership of the Forum aims to be open and inclusive and may change over time as additional members are invited to contribute to ensure the Forum maintain a breadth of interest and experience. It was agreed that any suggestions for new members should be passed to Gavin Miles so that their names could be included in future correspondence relating to National Park Plan advisory forum meetings. Gavin Miles confirmed that it was intended that the Advisory forums should meet twice a year. Election of a Chair for ‘Living and Working in the Park’ Advisory Forum Gavin Miles explained that there were two nominations for the chair of the forum, Peter Argyll and Duncan Mackellar. The Forum members attending the meeting voted to return Peter Argyll as the chair for the next year by five votes to four, with one abstention. CNPA staff and Board Members did not vote. Duncan MacKellar agreed to act as vice Chair when asked by Peter Argyll. Making Tourism & Business more sustainable success measures: • Economic Growth • Accommodation • Stronger employment • Knowing why the Park is unique and special • Increase in the number of businesses • Need to establish the baseline – eg through community surveys • Identifying timescales and milestones, SMART targets • Increasing the numbers of spending visitors throughout the year • Information: communicating progress and change • Identification of different communities • Diversification of the economy Making Housing more affordable and sustainable success measures: • Real improvements to sustainable design – not just token gestures • Retro fitting sustainability measures • Identifying and providing for local need • Providing a range of suitable housing – supporting a housing ladder Integrating public support for land management success measures: • Addressing problems in loss of skills and culture, the viability of land management businesses, lack of housing • Addressing the diversity of skills and adaptability of sector • Definition of public benefits • Definitions of land management Raising awareness and understanding of the Park success measures: • Communication of messages, information, the special qualities of the Park • Increasing accessibility to the Park and to information about it • Training the message bearers • Training and enthusing communities, residents, visitors, children • Targeting front line staff and the service industries Date of the next meeting: It was agreed that there would be two meetings each year and that forums would be full day meetings (10am – 3pm) if required. The next meeting would be in the early spring of 2008 and a date would be agreed with the new Chair to ensure this meets the needs of the advisory forum members.