Agenda item

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

·         Toby Perkins, Shadow Nature and Rural Affairs lead  MP for Chesterfield visited the park on the 8^th March looking at rural affairs  within the National Park including rural housing, farming and tourism/visitor  issues.

·         Met representatives from Homes England discussing rural housing and the extra cost in building affordable houses in a National Park.  Homes England agree that building rural housing is a priority for them and they are aware that it costs more to build houses in a protected landscape so they are prepared to offer an extra grant for that.

·         Attended another delivery group meeting for the National Park Management Plan with presentations from representatives from Chatsworth and the National Trust on their estate plans.  DEFRA will be producing a non-statutory guidance to assist public bodies on how the new duty affects them to further the purposes of National Parks.

·         DEFRA have set a new outcomes framework and targets that the Authority is going to have to meet.  A timetable setting out when they are going to release the data will be sent out in April.  A contract for consultants to work out the apportionment will be sorted.

Cllr Potter noted that funding of 100k had been confirmed via Active Travel England for the Authority to work on walking and cycling strategies but asked that Parishes affected be notified on proposed extensions of any cycleways.  The CEO confirmed that Officers would consult the Parish Councils and local communities on anything proposed.

Ms Swetnam asked if there was any indication from Homes England on  the mechanism on the extra funding available and who it needs to get too?  The CEO confirmed that it was for the developers to apply for the funding not the Authority.

RESOLVED:

To note the report.