Agenda item

Phil Mulligan, CEO presented a show reel to Members showing a snapshot on some of the things that had been achieved over the year, highlighting the following:

·         Members to receive the 1st Year Performance report of the Management Plan at the Authority Meeting at the end of July. Online version and reporting format now available for members of the public to access. 

·         It has been a challenging time for Planning as there was a risk of being put into “special measures” but this has now been turned around with 97% of the vacancies now filled as well as the appointment of 4 new apprentices in the Planning Team.   A lot of work on pay has taken place which has had an effect on vacancies.  Pre-app advice has restarted and the performance on speed of determination has improved to over the 70% threshold of determining applications within 8 weeks.

·         2 high profile enforcement cases were dealt with over the year at Cressbrook and Wagers Flat which went well. A new online enforcement reporting portal has been set up so members of the public can report possible breaches of planning, which will save lots of time in getting on top of new things that have been reported as well as help address the backlog.

·         Community Planners working on the preparation of the new Local Plan and progress is going well.  At the stage where we will be going out to consultation soon with our options and issues.

·         A Joint Housing Working Group has been set up with Derbyshire Dales to get a better understanding of  the affordable housing needs in the area.  Members visited the affordable housing at Bradwell Springs, as part of the recent Member Annual Tour.  The scheme was commended at a recent planning excellence awards.

·         The Planning Team are working with Peak Cluster, a project aimed at capturing carbon emissions from the cement and lime industries in Derbyshire and Cheshire.  The goal is to have the pipelines operational by 2030 to take the carbon out into the Irish Sea.

·         Planners influenced STW in a major rethink on their decision to expand the reservoirs in the Upper Derwent.

·         Heritage Team have been working on Ecton Mine which is now off the ”at risk” register.  The project was FiPL funded and a celebration is planned to mark its success.

·         The works on the new agricultural buildings at Pump Farm are now nearly complete, and will soon be occupied by a tenant.

·         Millers Dale change place is now open.  Currently installing a temporary bike hire operation in the Goods Shed with accessible cycle hire options.  EV charging points also installed in the car park.

·         Hoping to have a new bridge installed at Cressbrook as the current one has been closed for years.

·         Consultants who have been looking at options for visitor centres and cycle hire have just submitted their findings and recommendations.  These are being worked through with a view to coming back to Members to agree how we proceed.

·         A “User Pressure Group” is being established to inform our position on managing the issues to do with tourism and visitor pressures.

·         Authority continues to welcome a wide range of volunteers to work with us and an engagement programme for school visits, and Brunts Barn has been adapted to make it more accessible.

·         MFFP continue to do an impressive programme of works.  Not just restoration of moorland but scientific research and community engagement.

·         Co-working space has been created in the old CEO Office, which should provide a flexible and useful space for local business and community groups to come in and use.

·         The Fires Operation Group (FOG) hosted a joint training exercise with the Fires Service, Land Managers, National Trust and the RSPB on Stanage Edge which involved a simulated mock wildfire incident.  Two Wildfire Engagement Officers have been appointed (with funding from United Utilities) to engage with the public coming into the National Park around the risks of wildfires, especially from wild camping and associated bonfires and bbqs.

·         On the verge of hearing if the Authority has had the Council of Europe Award Diploma renewed. 

·         All staff are being asked to take part in a volunteering day as part of their corporate objectives.

·         CEO Roadshows have gone down well and provided an opportunity for members of the public to have their say.  More roadshows to follow and  engagement with the new MP’s is planned following the recent General Election.

Ken Smith thanked Phil for his presentation on behalf of all Members.