The minutes of the Resources Committee held on Friday 14th November 2025, were approved as a correct record.

There was no urgent business.

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

There were no member declarations of interest.

The Strategy and Performance Manager presented the report which was seeking approval for the Authority to enter into agreements with the Protected Landscape Partnership and National Parks England to accept funding to continue to host Landscape Observatory in 2026-27.

The following was noted:

·         The final version of the budget to be submitted to DEFRA Funding Committee on Friday 10^th March 2026.

·         As a result of this work two posts within the Strategy and Performance Team have been back-filled in order to maintain the existing capacity of the team.

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

RESOLVED:

1. That acceptance of funding for Landscape Observatory project work streams, as described in this report, of up to £650,000 for 2026-2027 is approved. Approval of the terms of funding is delegated to the Head of Resources in consultation with the Chief Finance Officer.
2. That authority be delegated to the Authority Solicitor to enter into and determine the terms and conditions of the funding agreement and all other legal documentation required for the project in the best interests of the Authority.
3. That approval be granted to incur expenditure up to £650,000 as detailed in the report, pursuant to Part 3, C3.(c), subject to compliance with the Contract Procedure Rules and Standing Orders.
4. That this project be monitored by Resources Committee and progress reported annually to the Members Forum.

The Corporate Property Manager presented the report which was seeking approval to make, implement and enforce byelaws to restrict verge parking on land owned by the National Park Authority or on Access Land associated with sites within Authority ownership.

The following points were noted:

·         The money from a parking fine cannot come direct to the Authority, the court receives the fee – as our legislation does not permit.  In terms of the fine process this must go via court though a paper-based exercise (called Single Justice Procedure).  The Authority would not be expected to attend court, other than if the parking fine were to be disputed.

·         The details of the signage within the carparks and on the verges was explored.  The cost would not be expensive.  The intention is for the signs to be short and succinct but if possible it may be able to use the signs to educate the public about the damage to the landscape.

·         The new formal parking provided in the car parks on the North Lees Estate will equal the current capacity of the carparks and the current verge parking.  Monitoring of the car parks and the verge areas is vital.

·         The comms message to the general public needs to reinforce that this is a conservation activity and not an income generating activity which has been brought about in order to protect the verges which are SSSI.  The message should focus on the nature and landscape elements, the intrusion and damage to the landscape and the cultural heritage element.  

·         The higher fine is appropriate and should work as a deterrent.  Consistency of implementation and enforcement is essential and visibility of enforcement is vital.

·         Many of the verges will become mounds where the carparks are being extended (Dennis Knoll). At Hollin Bank the verges are owned by Highways and are not access land and discussions are taking place with Highways regarding using bunds or posts on the verges as a preventative measure.

·         It is hoped that after the 4 week consultation and submission to DEFRA for approval that the new measures will be in place by the summer.

·         A technological response to parking was discussed and whether there was a way of making use of an app to direct visitors to available parking at the outset of their journey. Eastern Moors are trialling the use of drones to monitor carpark availability and visitors to the area.

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

RESOLVED:

1. To approve the strategy detailed in this report to restrict verge parking on the areas of Authority-owned land and highway identified within the proposed byelaws at Appendix 1, and highway land within the North Lees Estate. 

2. To delegate authority to the Authority Solicitor to take all necessary steps to make and finalise the proposed byelaws at Appendix 1, including advertising, consulting upon and applying to the Secretary of State for confirmation.

3. To delegate authority to the Authority Solicitor, in consultation with the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6/26

The Committee is asked to consider, in respect of the exempt items whether the public should be excluded from the meeting to avoid the disclosure of Exempt Information.

Draft motion:

That the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of agenda items 10, 11,12 and 13 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)”. 

The Committee is asked to consider, in respect of the exempt items whether the public should be excluded from the meeting to avoid the disclosure of Exempt Information.

Draft motion:

That the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of agenda items 10, 11,12 13 and 14, 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)”. 

The draft motion as set out above was proposed, seconded, put to the vote and carried.

8/26     Fieldhead Lease Renewal

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

9/26     Millers Dale Lease Renewal

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

10/26   Active Travel Funding

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

11/26   Quarter 3 Budget Monitoring

The briefing paper and contents of the appendices were noted.

12/26   Exempt minutes from Resources Committee on Friday 14 November 2025

The exempt minutes from Resources Committee on Friday 14 November 2025 were approved as a correct record.