Agenda item

The Chair advised Members that she and the Chief Executive had recently met with local MP’s and Natural England to obtain support for an amendment to the Cities & Local Government Devolution Bill which would give National Parks a functionally specific power of competence to give greater freedoms to innovate and become more entrepreneurial.

At the invitation of the Chair the Chief Executive commented on the recent Government Spending Review in which it had been announced that the total funding for National Parks and Forests had been protected. It was noted that this commitment, along with the proposals for additional powers, demonstrated that the work of National Park Authorities was valued within the Government. It was anticipated that more information on how the announcement would impact on the Peak District National Park Authority would be available in January.