Minute 26/24

Yvonne Witter reported that Members had not been provided with a response regarding the question on the difference between “incident” and “accident”.  The Chief Executive reported that the Head of People Management had clarified this with staff but would ensure that the response was shared with the Members.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on the 6 September 2024 were approved as a correct record.

There was no urgent business.

To note any questions or to receive any statements, representations, deputations and petitions which relate to the published reports on Part A of the Agenda.

No members of the public had given notice to make representations at the meeting.

Members are asked to declare any disclosable pecuniary, personal or prejudicial interests they may have in relation to items on the agenda for this meeting.

Item 6

Ginny Priestley attended the meeting as an observer in her role as Chair of the Moors for the Future Partnership Group.

Ruth Swetnam and Andrew Gregory  declared an interest as they were Member Representatives on the Moors for the Future Partnership Group.

James  Berresford, Ruth Swetnam and Andrew Gregory declared an interest as they were Member Representatives on the Peak District National Park Foundation.

The Business Development Manager and Moors for the Future Partnership Manager were present to answer questions relating to this report, which was to seek approval from Members to accept funding from Rebel Restoration, and enter into agreements, to establish a sphagnum demonstration and research field laboratory at Featherbed North, which is on National Trust land, on Ashop Moor.

The Officer informed Members that the demonstration site would be 10 minutes from the roadside, making it more accessible to engage with members of the public, students and policy makers to showcase good habitat examples and demonstrate the value of peatland restoration and share the information on how quickly things can recover and what is possible on the ground.

The Officers reported that the partnership with Rebel Restoration had started about 3 years ago when they funded a project on Ilkley Moor for £7,500, since then the relationship has grown and the level of allowed funding has increased to £500,000. The Officers confirmed that Rebel Restoration was a charity arm of Rebel Energy, which is a renewable energy provider, who uses a small proportion of the monies received from customers into projects like this.  The Officer reported that the offer of funding had gone through the Due Diligence process and properly reviewed, so the Authority was confident that they were a worthy organisation which would not undermine the Authority’s reputation.

Members agreed that this was a strong and worthy project and a fantastic opportunity for the Authority and Moors for the Future, with possible scope for more project funding from them in the future.

The recommendations as set out in the report were moved and seconded, put to the vote and carried.

RESOLVED:

1.    That Committee supports bids for and approves acceptance of funds for the Project up to a maximum of £800,000 for the period to 2030, including acceptance of £207,500 from Rebel Restoration and £40,000 from the Peak District National Park Foundation. Approval of the terms of funding is delegated to the Head of Assets and Enterprise in consultation with the Finance Manager/Chief Finance Officer (or such other person appointed under S151 of the Local Government Act 1972).

2.    That authority be delegated to the Authority Solicitor to enter into and determine the terms and conditions of the funding agreements for the Project in the best interests of the Authority.

3.    That acceptance of funds shall be subject to the approval of the Due Diligence Panel, where applicable.

4.    That the Authority may, subject to compliance with its procurement standing orders, enter into contracts for the delivery of the Project outcomes.

5.    That this Project be monitored by the Audit, Budget and Project Risk Monitoring Group.

The Authority Solicitor & Monitoring Officer  introduced the report to Members which was a summary of the items considered by the Due Diligence Panel over the last 12 months.

Janet Dugdale queried where the minutes of the Due Diligence Panel were available if any Members wanted to find out more information about the Due Diligence Panel’s work.  The Officer reported that as the minutes contained sensitive information they were not publicly available but redacted copies could be made available to Members if requested.

James Berresford reported that contributions from members of the public as donations through the visitor centres were very low, as visitors were not inclined to make ad hoc contributions towards the running of the park.  The Chief Executive reported that a new till system had now been installed in the visitor centres which would allow people to make a donation when doing a transaction, and he would report back on this as it was too early as yet to know any results.

The recommendations as set out in the report were moved and seconded, put to the vote and carried.

RESOLVED:

1.    To note the items considered by the Due Diligence Panel over the last 12 months, as set out in paragraph 3.1 of the report.

2.    To note that the Panel reviewed the financial register of sponsorships and donations, the in-kind register of sponsorships and donations and One Team register of benefits in May and October 2024 and that the Panel will review these registers on an annual basis in future.

Draft motion:

That the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of agenda item 9 to avoid the disclosure of Exempt Information under S100 (A) (4) Local Government Act 1972, Schedule 12A paragraph 3 “information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Authority holding that information)”.

RESOLVED:

That the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of agenda item No. 9 to avoid the disclosure of Exempt Information under S100 (A) (4) Local Government Act 1972, Schedule 12 A, paragraph 1 ‘information relating to any individual’ and paragraph 3 ‘information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)

The confidential minutes of the previous meeting held on the 6 September 2024 were approved as a correct record.