APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS OF THE PARK BOARDS

Job description

Scottish Ministers will be making a number of appointments to the Boards of the Cairngorms National Park Authority and Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority from 1 October 2018.

So what does a National Park do?

Scotland’s National Parks were established by the National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000 to safeguard areas of outstanding and diverse landscapes, habitats and communities. They do this by working to co-ordinate the delivery of four main statutory aims:

• to conserve and enhance the natural and cultural heritage of the area;

• to promote the sustainable use of the natural resources of the area;

• to promote understanding and enjoyment (including enjoyment in the form of recreation) of the special qualities of the area by the public; and

• to promote sustainable economic and social development of the area’s communities

This can mean being involved in developing key strategic documents such as:

• the National Park Partnership Plan, which sets out our priorities for the Park’s development in association with partner organisations over a five year period;

• the Local Development Plan, which guides all future development and the use of land. It acts as a strong catalyst for change and improvement in the area, shaping the environment of the National Park; and

• the Parks’ response to National Biodiversity strategy.

The Parks have statutory planning functions, and the Board makes planning decisions for example:

• the major extension of Glenlivet Distillery;

• the Cononish Goldmine application, which could provide significant economic opportunities;

Tourism Resort Development, West Riverside, Balloch.

Board Members fulfil a key role in helping National Parks deliver against Scottish Government National Outcomes, providing strategic direction on a wide range of issues, including:

• helping to guide projects which support nature conservation, visitor management and rural development;

• seeking to improve visitor facilities;

• encouraging more people to visit the Parks and enjoy their special qualities; and

• encourage and support successful partnership working with the private sector to develop sustainable businesses which positively contributes to the local and national economy.

Board Member responsibilities

Under the leadership of the Convener, the National Park Authority Boards provide leadership, direction, support and guidance to ensure that the Parks deliver and are committed to delivering their functions effectively and efficiently and in accordance with the aims, policies and priorities of the Scottish Ministers.

Board members are required to:

• contribute to setting the strategic direction of the National Park Authority in a way which reflects Scottish Ministers’ policies and priorities through the production and oversight of the Corporate and Operational Plans;

• contribute to setting the vision and objectives for the National Park, through the preparation and oversight of key strategic documents, including the National Park Partnership Plans and Local Development Plans;

• add value to the work of the organisation’s staff through support and constructive challenge and advice in Board and Committee meetings, and other forms of joint working with staff;

• take collective responsibility for the Authority’s decisions on planning, development control and other matters, including participating as required in formal decision processes in the planning committee or other committees;

• acting as champions for the Parks externally in dealings with the public and with national and local organisations;

• take collective responsibility for the performance the organisation including developing and promoting the efficient and effective use of staff and other resources in accordance with the principles of Best Value; and

• adhere to expected standards of conduct as set out in the Parks Code of Conduct for Board Members under the terms of the Ethical Standards in Public Life etc (Scotland) 2000.

While Board members’ tasks will vary, the list below provides some examples of the type of work that members may be called upon to undertake:

• helping to guide projects which deal with nature conservation, visitor management and sustainable rural development;

• encourage more people to visit the Parks and enjoy their special qualities;

• encourage and support successful partnership working with the private sector to develop sustainable businesses which positively contributes to the local and national economy;

• participate in working groups, discussion forums and open meetings as required to promote Park interests;

• deal with planning matters relating to the planning functions for which the Parks have responsibility;

• assist in the development, approval and monitoring of the Authority’s Corporate and Business Plans, (in line with the policies in the National Park Plan);

• approve a statement of accounts for each financial year in accordance with Scottish Government guidance and directions;

• monitor financial and budget performance and other key financial targets and initiate and authorise corrective action where that is required;

• elect the Convener and Deputy Convener;

• serve on appointment panels for senior staff, as required;

• hear staff appeals (disciplinary, grievance etc) as required; and

• take part in special inquiries into particular cases, problems and complaints, as required.

Members are expected to attend full Board and Committee meetings regularly and to be able and willing to chair meetings as and when requested to do so by the Convener. Members are expected to give the commitment of time necessary to play a full part in the work of the National Parks.

Skills, knowledge and experience required

Scottish Ministers are looking to make up to five appointments to both NPA Boards. One position on the Board of LLTTNPA requires the applicant to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of finance, audit and risk. The remaining nine positions require applicants to demonstrate skill, knowledge, experience or understanding of a number of different areas

Priority Criteria (one position)

• knowledge and understanding of finance, audit and risk.

Priority Criteria (remaining positions)

Evidence of at least one of the following:

• the ability to work across organisational boundaries/ sectors to deliver sustainable economic growth;

• an understanding and/or experience in rural/land management/forestry;

• an understanding, experience or interest in environmental issues/conservation;

• an understanding and/or experience of tourism;

• an understanding and/or experience of leisure, recreation or health;

• an understanding and/or experience of planning/economic development;

• scientific knowledge relevant to NPAs.

General Criteria (all positions)

All ten positions require applicants to demonstrate a range of general skills:

• ability to contribute effectively to organisational strategy and development;

• ability to work collaboratively and constructively with others;

• ability to communicate effectively;

• ability to analyse and evaluate complex issues;

• understanding of the role that National Parks play in Scotland – both now and the future.

Appointment Information

The appointments will take effect from 1 October 2018 and are for four years with the possibility of reappointment subject to evidence of effective performance and satisfying the skills and knowledge required at the time of reappointment and beyond. The appointments involve a time commitment of around two to three days per month.

Those appointed to the Cairngorms National Park Authority Board receive a fee of £201.82 per day whereas those appointed to Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority Board receive a fee of £199.35 per day. Travel and subsistence allowances are payable. The appointments are not pensionable.

Cairngorms National Park Authority

The Cairngorms National Park was established in September 2003. The CNPA aims to provide leadership for the National Park and to tackle the big issues in the Park in a collaborative way based on the founding National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000. The vision, mission and values are important statements of what the organisation wants to achieve and how it will go about achieving it.

National Park Vision

An outstanding National Park enjoyed and valued by everyone, where nature and people thrive together.

CNPA Mission

To lead the way in delivering for the Cairngorms National Park by:

• bringing people together towards a common purpose;

• enhancing the Park for everyone;

• inspiring new generations to be Park champions.

CNPA Values

The CNPA is an open, inclusive, innovative and professional organisation that behaves with integrity. The CNPA will also operate in an environmentally friendly way that provides leadership in this area.

To deliver the National Park Vision the CNPA works across three main themes – Conservation, Visitor Experience and Rural Development. These are supplemented by two other support themes – Corporate Services and Communications.

Appointments

The CNPA's Board comprises 19 members. The Scottish Ministers appoint seven members, another seven are nominated to the board by the five councils in the Park area - Highland, Aberdeenshire, Moray, Angus and Perth and Kinross - and five are elected locally. The members serve between 18 months and four years. All board members serve on the CNPA planning committee.

Further Information

Further information on the CNPA can be found at www.cairngorms.co.uk/. If you would like to speak to someone about the role of Board members please telephone Grant Moir, Chief Executive at the Cairngorms National Park Authority on 01479 870509.

Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority

As Scotland’s first national park, Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority (LLTTNPA) was established in 2002. The Park is the fourth largest in the UK with a total area of 1,865 km² (720 mi²) and a boundary of some 350 km (220 mi) in length. It includes 21 Munros, 19 Corbetts, two forest parks (Queen Elizabeth, and Argyll) and 57 designated special nature conservation sites.

15,600 people live in the park, which is customarily split into four sections: Breadalbane, Loch Lomond, The Trossachs, and Argyll Forest Park.

National Park Partnership Plan 2018-23

The newly approved National Park Partnership Plan 2018-23 sets out the priorities for partnership working over the next five years and sets out to achieve 13 strategic outcomes which are structured across three focus areas of Conservation and Land Management, Visitor Experience and Rural development.

Its vision is

• We want the National Park to be an internationally renowned landscape where:

Conservation and Land Management

• Nature, heritage and land are valuable assets, managed and enhanced to provide multiple benefits to all.

Visitor Experience

• There is a high quality authentic experience for people from all backgrounds. There are many opportunities to enjoy recreation activities and appreciate the area’s outstanding natural and cultural heritage,

Rural development

• Businesses and communities thrive and people work sustainably in a high quality environment.

We contribute to many national priorities, particularly:

• sustainable economic growth;

• climate change;

• valuing nature and reversing biodiversity loss;

• natural capital;

• a park for all;

• community empowerment;

• health and wellbeing.

Further Information

Further information on the CNPA can be found at www.cairngorms.co.uk/. If you would like to speak to someone about the role of Board members please telephone Grant Moir, Chief Executive at the Cairngorms National Park Authority (01479 870509). Further information on the LLTTNPA can be found at www.lochlomond-trossachs.org/looking-after-the-park/. Further information on the LLTTNPA can be found at www.lochlomond-trossachs.org/looking-after-the-park/.

Closing date for applications is 26 June 2018. An application pack and full details on this and other public appointments can be found at www.appointed-for-scotland.org/.

Scottish Ministers particularly welcome applications from groups currently under-represented on Scotland’s public bodies, such as women, disabled people, those from minority ethnic communities, and people aged under 50. The public appointments process promotes, demonstrates and upholds equality of opportunity for all applicants.

Accessibility to public appointments is a fundamental requirement and the public appointments process promotes, demonstrates and upholds equality of opportunity and treatment to all applicants. The Scottish Government will always give consideration to disability-related reasonable adjustments that an applicant might request to enable them to meet the person specification and participate fully in the selection process. If you require any of the application pack documentation in an alternative format, please contact Scottish Government Public Appointments on Freephone 0300 244 1898 or by email at public.appointments@gov.scot.