Agenda item

The Chief Executive presented the report.

·       Members thanked the partners for putting together such a strong bid.  This funding is a new stream from Lottery funding.  PDNPA have received the first stage of the bid which allows funding to work up the detail to put in the development stage.  The intentions are to focus on the trails in the White Peak in particular and to enrich the nature along these trails.  It is not just limited to these trails. The money will allow for there to be ecological surveys and works to identify where the funding would be most beneficial.  It would be about replicating enhancements like Ruby Wood amongst other initiatives.  There would also be money for engagement in order to see new audiences coming to the trails which can handle the increased numbers.  It would allow for programming to connect people and improve their understanding along with some audience development work combined with some heritage enhancements.

·       Members asked about the phrase “communities unserved by the White Peak” and what does this mean?  This would be an opportunity for new audiences to access nature and protected areas e.g. people coming from the conurbations in the south, it would involve working with community groups and would be a similar model to Mosaic.

·       Members asked if it is correct to assume there will be more interaction with EMCAA, and the funding will help to get partners like EMCAA involved in the next phase. This initial pot of money does not need matched funding, if the Authority gets through to the next phase then would need matched funding from Partnerships like EMCAA.

·       Members asked about how well received are the changes in farming practice and changes in regenerative farming.  Overall seen really strong engagement through FiPL and Morridge Hill Country Project. The Authority does have another White Peak Landscape Recovery Project to build the development of this in White Peak.  The farming engagement team work very closely with the farmers to promote regenerative funding.

·       Concern was raised about the likelihood of receiving  the funding as using up limited resources to submit these bids.  There is a high chance that will receive this funding based on the positive feedback. The money we receive from these projects does not offset the decline in the government grant.

·       Members asked if there are other ways of working in partnership so that other organisations can be recipients of the funding too.

·       There was much discussion about the White Peak and these communities, and Members asked what about the Dark Peak?  The initial research honed down on the White Peak due to the density of the existing trails there.

The recommendations as set out in the report were moved, seconded, put to the vote and carried.

RESOLVED:

1.     That acceptance of the funding award for the Landscape Connections project of up to £248,455 be approved. Approval of the terms of funding be delegated to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Finance Manager and Authority Solicitor.

2.     That approval be granted to (1) incur expenditure up to £279,955 (excluding overheads) to progress the project pursuant to Part 3, C3 (c) of Standing Orders, and (2) enter into contracts and/or agreements as required for the delivery of the project, subject to compliance with the Contract Procedure Rules and Standing Orders generally.

3.     To note that a recruitment exercise will be undertaken to appoint temporary posts (to be funded out of the external funding award) to progress the project. 

The meeting was adjourned at 10:55am and reconvened at 11:05am