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. NATIONAL PARK PLAN WORKING GROUP DRAFT MINUTES held within the Albert Hall, Ballater on 4th June 2004 Present Peter Argyle CNPA Board Duncan Bryden (Chair) CNPA Board David Green CNPA Board Susan Walker CNPA Board In Attendance Nick Halfhide CNPA Staff Don McKee CNPA Staff Norman Brockie CNPA Staff Gavin Miles CNPA Staff Apologies Angus Gordon CNPA Board Welcome and Apologies Action 1. Duncan Bryden welcomed everyone to the meeting and noted apologies from Angus Gordon. Minutes of the meeting on 12th March 2004 2. These were approved with no changes. Matters arising 3. Under Paragraph 12, Nick Halfhide noted that he would be presenting a paper to the next Board on 2 July 2004. Action NH 4. Under Paragraph 14, the group agreed that Nick would liaise with Norman to invite all NHthe members of the National Park Plan Working Group to the next Local Plan working Group on 1st July in Grantown-on-Spey. Action NH, NB Progress update Park Plan Officer 5. Nick Halfhide noted that with the departure of the Park Plan Officer, the Authority would be recruiting for a replacement as soon as possible, ideally starting in the autumn, if not before. State of the Park Report and Health indicators Research 6. Nick Halfhide reported that the consultants had held a workshop with officials within the Authority on the 2nd June. This had considered issues to do with the availability of data, how it should be presented, and how to fill any gaps. The workshop had generally gone well, and the consultants were now engaged in analysing data sources that had identified. 7. The group commented that SEPA had recently undertaken a similar exercise and they may have some valuable experience in dealing with organisations that may resist sharing their information. Other Research 8. Nick Halfhide noted that the research into existing public sector spending in the Park is due to start soon, to be led by Quentin McLaren, the new external funding officer. 9.Nick Halfhide reported that following discussions internally, it appeared that work to examine the policy context was already in hand and so he no longer intended to commission research on this topic. 10. The group raised the issue of landscape research and the need arising particularly out of the local planning process for further work to be done in this field. Nick Halfhide agreed to consider this further with Norman Brockie, considering in particular the different scales at which landscape is important, from the individual development sites, to the wider countryside across the Park; and what people value in the landscape. Action NH, NB Advisory Panel on Joined-Up Government 11. There was generally positive feedback about the first meeting of the Advisory Panel, though it was agreed by all that any future meetings would need to focus on monitoring, co-ordinating, and reviewing the entirety of the Park Plan, an exercise appropriate for the senior level of attendees. Any future meetings would need to be very clear in their objectives, and sharply focused. Proposed Ministerial Guidance on Park Plans 12. Nick Halfhide presented the guidance prepared by the Scottish Executive, which is currently before Parliament. This is clearly limited in scope, but as such, offers opportunities for us to develop the Park Plan according to our specific needs. Strategic Environmental Assessment 13. This still needs further investigation, and Gavin offered to provide practical advice. Relationship Structure Plans 14. Don McKee was able to report from his recent meeting with Scottish Executive that the existing structure plans will continue to form part of the Development Plans until the Park Plan had been adopted. Thereafter, the Park Plan will take precedence as a material planning consideration. Interaction with the Local Plan 15. The group agreed that the Park Plan and Local Plan Working Groups and staff need to work more closely together to ensure that the remit of each plan is clear and that a joined-up approach to planning is delivered within the Park. Proposed Content List within the Park Plan 16. There was significant discussion of the paper proposing a contents list for the Park Plan. The following points were made: • Section 5, "Living and Working in the Park" needed to include the word communities in its title. • The number of the Topics in the section on "Conserving and Enhancing the Park" needed to be moved to "Living and Working in the Park" because they related directly to the outcomes of Living and Working, for example waste disposal/minimisation. • The policies and pressures considered in Section 3 "The Wider Context" could usefully be arranged from the global down to the local. •"Landscape" needs to feature more significantly as in overarching theme. • Land Management needed to include water management. 17. There was broad agreement that the proposed content list was a good start. AOCB 18. There was no other competent business. Date of Next Meeting 19. It was agreed hold aoint meeting with the Local Plan Working Group at 3pm on 1st July 2004.