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CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY 

Finance Committee Paper 1 23/02/07 





CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY 

FINANCE COMMITTEE 





FOR DECISION 





Title: RATIFICATION OF NEW EXPENDITURE PROPOSAL 

Prepared by: Denby Pettitt, Finance Manager 

Purpose 



To approve a new expenditure proposal. 



Recommendations 



a) 

That the Committee approve the expenditure proposal prior to submission to the 

Scottish Executive. 





Executive Summary 



a) 

The proposal is to establish a �C�ilidh Trail� throughout the Cairngorms National 

Park area over three years. This will offer employment and professional 

development opportunities to a co-ordinator and local young musicians and enable 

work with local organisations and businesses to develop the cultural tourism 

potential of the area 



b) 

Total expenditure on the project is just over �63,500 (plus �7,600 contributions in 

kind) of which the CNPA is being asked to contribute �30,000. 





Discussion 



1. 

The Finance Committee is invited to review the attached Expenditure Justification 

(Annex 1) and approve it if they see fit, allowing it to be passed to the Scottish Executive 

for final approval. 





DENBY PETTITT 

7 February 2007 



denbypettitt@cairngorms.co.uk 











CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY 



EXPENDITURE JUSTIFICATION 



1. Title 

Cairngorms Ceilidh Trail 



2. Expenditure Category 

Operational Plan goal 20 

Code 8400301 

Project 

Youth Actions (goal description) 

Grant .. 

Core or Project spend 

Code 

Consultancy 



Is this spend to be funded from an existing budget line, existing line

with additional funds or is it a totally new spend?

� 10,000 

Existing budget .. 

Additional budget 

� 20,000 New budget * .. 



* the new budget relates to Years 2 and 3 for which the CNPA�s Operational Plan has not yet been finalised 





3. Description 



.. Brief overview of project/activity 

.. Specific elements for which support is sought (if not whole project/activity) 



To establish a �C�ilidh Trail� throughout the Cairngorm National Park area over three years which 

will offer employment and professional development opportunities to a co-ordinator and local 

young musicians and to work with local organisations and businesses to develop the cultural 

tourism potential of the area. 



To involve, train in performance and establish a series of performance opportunities throughout 

the Park area over the next three years. LEADER+ funds would be utilised in year one, CNPA 

for three years and longer term funding will be sought during 2007 







4. Rationale and Strategic Fit 



.. Objectives/intended beneficiaries 



.. Evidence of need and demand 



.. Fit with National Park Plan/Corporate Plan/other relevant strategies 



.. Linkages to other activities/projects 





Objectives 



� To secure sufficient funding to establish a C�ilidh trail within the Cairngorms National Park 

area. 



� To develop the C�ilidh Trail project over a period of three years (2007 to 2009) 

delivered locally by F�is Sp�. 



� To offer the Cairngorms a new high quality programme of events that will highlight the 

cultural heritage of the area. 



� To provide employment and professional development opportunities for up to ten young 

people (aged 16 � 25) per year. 



� To make Gaelic culture an integral part of the C�ilidh Trail and generally raise the 

profile of the language across the area of the National Park. 



� Employ a part-time, seasonal project co-ordinator who will oversee the C�ilidh Trail 

project. 



� To establish an audition process that will ensure a high standard of performance. 



� To provide participants with varied performance opportunities including c�ilidh dances, 

entertainment at local hotels & tourist attractions, plus supporting larger events and 

performances. 



� Encourage established local venues and promoters to participate in this venture. 



� To link in with the �Blas� festival in Badenoch and Strathspey during the first week of 

September. 



� Where possible this project will link with established C�ilidh Trails, Doric Events and 

other music groups within the park area. The project will make use of the training 

opportunities offered through F�is Alba which already provides training for some of the 

established Ceilidh Trails. 



The research already undertaken by F�is Sp� and external organisations highlights that there is 

support for the development of traditional music within the Cairngorms National Park area. 



The C�ilidh Trail will benefit all communities, especially the rural communities, within the area 

and develop inter-community activity regarding cultural tourism. By creating this project F�is 

Sp� will maximise the opportunities and benefits of the forthcoming year of Highland Culture 

and future initiatives. 







5. Option Analysis 



.. Are there other ways in which the above objectives could be achieved? 



.. If so, why is this the preferred option? 



Without agency support this development work could not be undertaken. Additional sources of 

funding will be sought for future years, including sponsorship and additional contributions from 

venues once the principle has been established. 







6. Risk Assessment 



.. Are there risks to the CNPA in funding this project/activity? 



.. Are there risks in the project/activity not being delivered to required timescale/quality? 



.. Comment on the likelihood of such risks occurring, their potential impact, and (where appropriate) any 

action that would be taken to mitigate the risks. 



No, the F�is nan G�idheal organisation have supported many Feis areas in the development and 

establishment of the Ceilidh trail concept and will work with Feis Spe to ensure professional 

management of the project. 



Given the experience of F�is nan G�idheal it is unlikely the project would be cancelled, however, 

should this happen responsibility would rest with F�is nan G�idheal to ensure efficient 

cancellation of activities. 



A risk assessment with regard to the project will be carried out nearer the start of the project 

once funding has been confirmed and as appropriate for venues etc., during the course of the 

project. 





7. Costs and Funding 



.. Detail the financial costs of the project/activity

 

.. Detail the sources of funding 



.. Detail any non-monetary costs to the CNPA (such as Member or staff input) 





Project Costs 



Expenditure / Year 1 / Year 2 / Year 3 



Co-coordinator/Supervisor 

6 weeks @�350/wk plus 2% inflation 

�2,100.00 

�2,142.00 

�2,184.84 



Participants Fee 

10 participants @ �150 for 4 wks plus 2% inflation 

�6,000.00 

�6,120.00 

�6,242.40 



Training Week 

Based on similar projects 

�1,000.00 

�1,020.00 

�1,040.40 



Employers contributions @ 11% 

11% of coordinators fee 

�231.00 

�235.62 

�240.33 



Meals for participants 

10 participants + coordinator for 15 meals @ �15/day 

�2,475.00 

�2,524.50 

�2,574.99 



Acc. for participants 

10 participants +coordinator for 5 nights @ �35/night 

�1,925.00 

�1,963.50 

�2,002.77 



Postage/Stationary 

Estimate based on similar projects 

�150.00 

�153.00 

�156.06 



Telephone 

Estimate based on similar projects 

�150.00 

�153.00 

�156.06



PA Hire 

PA hire charge for 15 gigs @ �50/gig 

�750.00 

�765.00 

�780.30 



Performance Venue hire 

Venue hire charge for 15 gigs @ �50/gig 

�750.00 

�765.00 

�780.30 



Recruitment 

Estimate based on similar projects 

�400.00 

�408.00 

�416.16 



Local Publicity 

Estimate based on similar projects 

�500.00 

�510.00 

�520.20 



Flyers/Posters 

Estimate based on similar projects 

�250

�255

�260.10



Minibus hire 

�200/wk towards cost of transporting participants 

�800.00 

�816.00

�832.32 



Petrol (0.35 per mile) 

1000 miles to cover coordinator and parents petrol costs 

�350.00 

�357.00 

�364.14 



Other Travel 

To cover additional participants petrol costs 

�150.00 

�153.00 

�156.06 



Administration 

10% of total cost 

�1,798.10 

�1,834.06 

�1,870.74 



Contingency 

5% of total cost 

�988.96 

�1,008.73 

�1,028.91 



Total 

�20,768.06 

�21,183.42 

�21,607.08 





Funding Source (Year 1) /  Confirmed  / % (Yr 1) / � (Yr 1) / � (Yrs 2&3) 



LEADER+ (Year 1only) 

Yes

48.15

10,000.00

-



CNPA 

No

48.15

10,000.00

20,000.00



F�isean nan G�idheal 

No

-

-

7,777.47



Comunn na Gaidhlig 

No

3.70

768.06

3,731.94



Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch & Strathspey Gaelic Plan 

-

-

-

7,795.48



Own Contribution (earned income) 

Yes 

-

-

3,485.61



Total 

�100 

�20,768.06 

�42,790.50 





In kind: 



F�is Sp� �2,295 over 3 yrs 

Local Tourism Providers �5,295 over 3 yrs 



Staff Support: To provide local information as required with regards to contacts, venues, newspapers, 

newsletters etc. 





8. Deliverables/ Impact Assessment 



.. What end products/outputs will be delivered? 



.. How will success be measured? 



.. How will the project be monitored and what will be the feedback to the CNPA? 







Output: 



10 performances set up throughout the area allowing visitors and local people 

access to traditional music and dance. 

1 Part-time co-ordinator employed over a 3 year period 



The Project Co-ordinator will be expected to keep records of work and gather feedback throughout the 

duration of the project. The information gathered will be made available in the following ways: 



#  Reports � The Co-ordinator will be required as part of their contract to submit a written 

report which will assist F�is Sp� to review the project each year. This report should 

includetheir views on the running of the project, benefits to the participants, personal 

views on strengths and weaknesses and statistics on audience figures and events. 



#  Committee Meetings � The Co-ordinator will attend board meetings and liaise with the 

F�is Sp� management as and when appropriate in order for the project to run efficiently. 



The progress of this project will be supported, monitored and evaluated on an ongoing basis by the 

F�isean nan G�idheal North Highland Development Officer. 





 

#  External Funders / Partners � The Co-ordinator will be expected to report to funders 

and external organisations in-line with funding guidelines and submit project reports on 

the completion of each section of the project. 



The key elements that will be measured will be the number of participants that apply to join the 

project, the number of venues/promoters/events who get involved and the audiences that attend 

performances. 



The applicant will be asked to record all of the above plus feedback from participants, reporting on a 

quarterly basis with claims. 





9. Value for Money 



.. In view of the costs, do the deliverables appear to offer value for money? (consider cost of comparable 

projects, where available). 



Yes, the project will employ one part time person and what equate to 10 summer jobs for young 

people, plus supporting the necessary development work to giving young people the confidence 

and support they require, to progress and benefit from the opportunity. The project will also in 

support of and developing of Feis Spe and other local culturally based groups. 





10. Exit or Continuation Arrangements (where applicable) 



.. If this is not a discrete, time-limited , project or piece of work, what are the exit/continuation arrangements 

for when CNPA support ceases? 



It is hoped in the longer term to make the groups self supporting, once the venues understand 

the benefits of involving local musicians in their businesses that it is a worthwhile business 

benefit for them to support. Sponsorship will also be considered as since new groups of young 

people will always require support. 





11. Additionality 



.. Does this work/project substitute for or duplicate work being carried out or proposed by others? 



.. What would be the effects of the CNPA not supporting the project? Would it proceed without CNPA 

support? 



No, these performances will be complementary to what is already in existence and also it is 

hoped in some cases to involve the new performances as part of existing events, enhancing what 

is already taking place. 

This initial development work and establishment of the concept could not take place without 

CNPA support. 





12. Stakeholder Support 



.. Have the organisations and/or communities that would have an interest in this work/project been involved, 

and are they supportive? 



Yes, the project has been discussed with local community music groups who agree that this will 

give existing participants a very positive opportunity for their future development. Feis Spe 

are themselves a community based organisation. The project as it develops will make additional 

contact with schools and other interested bodies. 





13. Recommendation 



I recommend that �30,000 of CNPA funding spread over 3 years be approved for this project. 

We would reinforce the point that the project would draw upon and celebrate the diversity of 

Scottish cultural traditions, as has been agreed with the applicant. 





Name: Andrew Harper Signature: Date: 







14. Decision to Approve or Reject 



Head of Group 



Name: Signature: Date: 





Chief Executive 



Name: Signature: Date: 





Finance Committee 



Name: Signature: Date: 





Board 



Not applicable � below approval limits 



Name: Signature: Date: 





SEERAD 



Name: Signature: Date: