Agenda item

The Chief Executive delivered the following updates to his report:

·       The CEO had been on a visit to Abney Moor which could be a potential site to visit for the next members tour.

·       There is still no update from DEFRA regarding the grant for the next 3 years.

·       There were no massive impacts from the recent Budget but still analysing what it will mean for the PNDPA.

·       There is potential for regional mayors to influence the visitor profile and there is a consultation document to read through.

·       The Peak Park Summit raised some good points regarding what is required to manage the visitor pressure on the area.

·       There is an exciting year ahead planned with regard to the parks 75^th anniversary and a members event is scheduled.  The CEO was commended on his engagement with all the different groups.  The 75^th anniversary is a good way of communicating the nature of  the National Park and hopefully the celebrations shall be cost neutral.  4 national parks have contributed to the funding of the report from Andrew McCloy, and the branding will not cost much apart from the re-branding of the vehicles.  The 75^th calendar is self-funding and selling well already and there is a small budget from existing funds to allow for staff and volunteers to come together in the summer.

·       There was discussion regarding imposing a tourist levy for visitors to the national park and how this would collected for the Peak District.  The tourist levy would be a tax on overnight stays which the accommodation provider would collect and forward to the Mayor.  It was acknowledged that this would be difficulty to impose for any visitor whose accommodation is just outside of the national park and would also not be able to be collected from day trippers. It is hoped that the cost of administering this levy is not more than the income generated from the levy.

·       The Buxton Festival is an opportunity to raise awareness about the Peak District National Park and is there potential to work with the Peak District Foundation for the 75^th celebrations?

·       It was questioned as to whether there would be some engagement from Mayor with the local communities who are affected by the visitors to the national park.