Agenda item

The Chair provided the following verbal update to Members:

·         On 13^th February the Chair attended the Derbyshire Makes launch at Carsington Reservoir and visited the new headquarters of a jewellery firm.

• Attended two meetings of the National Park England Chairs and Chief Executives and discussed what the response should be from them regarding the funding issues and a document expressing disappointment regarding the budget has now been sent to DEFRA.
• Attended Chairs and Vice Chairs meeting with CEO.
• On 4^th February the Chair, Deputy Chair and CEO attended a day long workshop at Newcastle on Tyne under the auspices of National Parks UK, essentially for the northern national parks re-branding of UK wide National Parks, and how this will go forward. 
• There is a National Parks UK conference at the end of April 2025 which shall be held in the Peak District. 
• The Chair attended the Governance Review Working Group meeting on the 18^th March which looked at the roles and structures of the committees with particular reference to Programmes and Resources and a paper shall come to Authority in the future.
• On 20^th March, along with the CEO, the Chair attended the launch of the White Peak Loop at Cromford Mills.
• The next National Parks Management Plan Partnership Group Meeting shall be held at Aldern House on 6^th June 2025. The 16 Members on the Authority that represent County, District, City or Borough Councils shall receive an email regarding who has been invited from their organisation and would appreciate the assistance of Members to encourage their participation in this strategic annual meeting.
• The Chair mentioned that Members who have finished their 2^nd full term of office can request a 2 year extension.  This year the government has refused all extension requests and consequently the Deputy Chair shall end his term of office in June this year.

10:03am G Heath arrived

Members asked about the re-branding of UK wide National Parks and whether this was appropriate when finances are stretched and where would the funding for this be coming from?  It was clarified that this is not a logo or name change but it is about defining the brand proposition for the future and directions for the National Parks.  It will be for agreeing what is the core message in order to secure future deals.  The funding comes from the UK Comms budget where each National Park contributes £8,000 per year and will be using money that is already in this budget.

It was noted that 2 members of the Authority were not standing for re-election in May this year and they were thanked for their contributions and hard work.