Agenda item

Updates from the Chief Executive since the production of his report:

·         Angela Edwards had been appointed as the Authority Solicitor and would be starting in March 2024

·         A notification of retirement had been received from Chris Dean, Moors for the Future Manager.

·         The CEO roadshows had been launched

·         The newsletter for MPs had been circulated to all Members

·         A Briefing Paper on the role of the National Park will be sent to the Derby and Derbyshire, and Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Combined Authority Mayoral candidates

·         Supporting taking forward some proposals to take “in-house” the enforcement of car parking

Major announcement from DEFRA on Protected Landscapes Targets and Outcomes Framework. 

·         This is a very significant announcement which relates to setting the targets for Protected Landscapes and tying them into the Environment Plan.  This will have significant impact on National Park and the methods of reporting.  The Chief Executive shared with Members via a presentation the headlines of this announcement, the slides from this presentation will be circulated to the Members. The targets are set nationally and will need to be explored and digested.  There are 3 categories of targets.  These targets will need to be incorporated into the next Management Plan.

·         Levelling Up and Regeneration Act have a New Duty which public bodies have to take into account and these targets and the outcome framework will be addressed in the next management plan, more interim guidance is expected to arrive soon to explain the implications and how it is put into effect.

·         A future funding settlement for Protected Landscapes and  National Parks will be linked in some way to performance under this new framework.  Due to expected political change and the implications of this only currently looking at a one year spending review for 2025/2026.

The Members noted that it was good to see that some clarity is coming through and noted that the management plan will need to be revisited.  It is expected that in 18 months time there will be agreement for the targets that need to be apportioned to each protected landscape.  The next Management Plan will need to incorporate the targets and reflect the Management Plan guidance that is still awaited.

It was recognised that Moors for the Future directly delivers to two of the targets. The Local Nature Recovery Plan would be reported to Members for adoption in the near future, it may need changing in light of this new information.

RESOLVED:

To note the report.