Remuneration: Appointees to the Board of the Cairngorms National Park Authority receive £201.82 per day. Appointees to the Board of the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority receive £199.35 per day
Location: Within Scotland - not further specified
Closing date: 25 November 2014 at midnight
CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY and LOCH LOMOND AND THE TROSSACHS NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY
APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO THE BOARDS
Appointments up to four years from February 2015 and September 2015
Scottish Ministers are looking to appoint two Members to the Board of the Cairngorms National Park Authority and one Member to the Board of the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority. The appointments to the Cairngorms National Park Authority Board will be on 1 February 2015 and 8 September 2015 whereas the appointment to the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority Board will be from 1 February 2015.
The statutory purpose of Scotland’s National Parks is to ensure delivery of the four statutory National Park aims in a collective and co-coordinated way. The aims of the National Parks, as set out in the National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000, are:
- to conserve and enhance the natural and cultural heritage;
- 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 social and economic development of the communities of the area.
Cairngorms National Park Authority
The Cairngorms National Park was established in September 2003 and the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) became fully operational – taking on all its statutory powers – on 1 September 2003.
The CNPA is designed to be an enabling organisation, promoting partnership working and giving leadership to all those involved in the Cairngorms. The CNPA does not duplicate the work of other organisations, such as the enterprise agencies or Scottish Natural Heritage, but is here to ensure there is a joined-up approach to projects and initiatives that help to meet the four aims of the Park. The CNPA Communications and Engagement Strategy sets out how they will achieve this.
With a staff of around 60 plus 19 board members, the CNPA has several statutory duties including managing outdoor access in the Park, planning and development management, the production of a Local Plan and the publication of a National Park Plan.
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).
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.
The Park’s work is focused in three main areas:
- Conservation - ensuring our natural heritage, land and water resources are sustainably managed and protected.
- Visitor Experience - establishing and promoting the National Park as one of Scotland’s premiere sustainable tourism destinations where our special qualities are respected and enjoyed by all.
- Rural Development - enabling and promoting sustainable development that supports and enhances local distinctiveness and sense of place, encourages enterprise and innovation and improves the quality of life for our local communities.
The Park Authority employs around 130 staff who fulfill a variety of important roles across these areas, including the production of a statutory Local Plan and National Park Partnership.
Further information on the LLTTNPA can be found at www.lochlomond-trossachs.org. If you would like to speak to someone about the role of Board members please telephone Fiona Logan, Chief Executive at the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority (01389 722662).
Duties and responsibilities
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 conservation, visitor management and rural development;
- 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;
- take part in special inquiries into particular cases, problems and complaints, as required;
- encourage 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.
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
The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate the ability to:
- contribute effectively to organisational strategy;
- work effectively as part of the leadership team;
- support and challenge constructively senior staff;
- communicate effectively; and
- analyse and evaluate complex issues.
They must also be able to demonstrate understanding of one of the following:
- conservation and land management issues; or
- the role that National Parks play in Scotland
It would be desirable if the successful candidate could demonstrate:
- understanding of how the private sector can contribute to maintaining and enhancing the resilience of rural communities
- experience of and/or interest in stakeholder engagement, partnership working, collaborative approaches;
- experience of and/or interest in change management and organisational development; and
- experience of and/or interest in one or more of the following areas:
- rural/land management/forestry;
- environment/conservation/sustainable development;
- tourism;
- leisure/recreation/health;
- corporate governance;
- planning/economic development;
- scientific knowledge relevant to NPAs.
Time commitment
Board Member positions are part time posts and involve a commitment of a maximum of two to three days per month.
Remuneration and Expenses
Appointees to the Board of the Cairngorms National Park Authority receive £201.82 per day. Appointees to the Board of the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority receive £199.35 per day. Fees are reviewed annually.
Board members are entitled to reasonable receipted expenses (including travel, childcare and dependant carer expenses). Ministerial Public Appointments do not constitute employment and as such those appointed are not entitled to employee benefits such as sickness pay, maternity pay etc. The appointments are not pensionable.
Term of appointment
The appointments are expected to be for up to four years with the possibility of re-appointment subject to evidence of effective performance and having regard to the skills, knowledge and personal qualities required by the Board at the time. Any appointments and subsequent re-appointments will not extend beyond a maximum of eight years.
The appointments to the Cairngorms National Park Authority Board will be on 1 February 2015 and 8 September 2015 whereas the appointment to the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority Board will be from 1 February 2015.
Location of meetings
Board meetings take place at different locations throughout the Parks areas across the calendar year. Board Members are expected to attend on a regular basis and should, therefore, be prepared to travel throughout the year taking all reasonable steps to ensure attendance.
Additional information
Applicants will be ineligible to apply for this appointment if they have already served a total of eight years on the Boards of the Park Authorities.
Board members will be expected to observe the National Park Authority’s Code of Conduct in line with the requirements of the Ethical Standards in Public Life etc (Scotland) 2000 and the nine key principles of conduct underpinning public life:
- Public service
- Selflessness
- Integrity
- Objectivity
- Accountability and Stewardship
- Openness
- Honesty
- Leadership
- Respect