Agenda item

The Strategy & Performance Manager was present for this report and to answer any questions from Members.

The Officer informed Members that this was a good news item not only for the Authority as an organisation but for the National Parks family, and had come about as a result of 2-3 years of work by  the Strategy and Performance Team and academic partners

The Chair also expressed his thanks to Jane Butler and National Parks England as she was the one that kept the door open with DEFRA and managed to get £500,000 in funding for the project.

Members asked whether there was an opportunity to talk to other local authorities?  The Officer reported that the funding received thus far was for protected landscapes, but the plan is for the project to run over 3-4 years if the first year is successful and it is hoped will expand in coverage.  Similar discussions will take place with Scotland and Wales to expand the area of work if funds can be found.

Members asked what the plans would be for the Board and Steering Group and were there plans to involve Members and how would the governance develop? The Officer reported that the Board would be chaired by Jane Butler in the first instance, supported by a couple of key academics, as well as someone from DEFRA and Natural England and they would oversee the three main project elements which are the AI Project, Trialling of Rapid Condition Assessment of Landscape Features and Management Planning, but as it’s a National Project , it doesn’t member involvement had yet to be considered. The project, and its governance, are evolving rapidly.

The recommendations as set out in the report was moved, seconded, voted on and carried.

RESOLVED:

1.     That acceptance of funding for the Landscape Observatory project, as described in this report, of up to £550,000 for 2025-2026 is approved. Approval of the terms of funding is delegated to the Head of Resources in consultation with the Finance Manager/Chief Finance Officer (or such other person appointed under S151 of the Local Government Act 1972).

2.     That authority be delegated to the Authority Solicitor to enter into and determine

the terms and conditions of the funding agreement for the project in the best interests of the Authority.

3.     That approval be granted to incur expenditure up to £550,000 as detailed in the report, pursuant to Part 3, C3.(c) of Standing Orders, subject to compliance with the Contract Procedure Rules and Standing Orders generally.

4.     That authority be delegated to the Authority Solicitor to enter into and determine the terms and conditions of any contracts and/or agreements required for the project, subject to compliant procurement exercises being carried out as required in line with Standing Orders and in the best interests of the Authority.

5.     That this project be monitored by the Audit, Budget, and Project Risk Management Group or any equivalent group or committee.