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Views sought on national parks
03/07/2008
A questionnaire seeking initial public and stakeholder views on the work of the National Park Authorities goes live online today.
The questionnaire is available from July 3 to August 1, 2008 and the results will be taken into account in the conclusions of Stage 1 of the Review which reports in the autumn.
As part of the Scottish Government's commitment to 'More Effective Government', Stage 1 of this Strategic Review will examine the most appropriate organisational options for undertaking National Park functions. It will also look at how these functions are currently being carried out by the National Park Authorities.
Full details of Stage 2 of the Review will be determined in light of findings from Stage 1.
The questionnaire is available for completion online until August 1, 2008. Alternatively, a printed copy of the questionnaire can be obtained by e-mailing nationalparksreview@scotland.gsi.gov.uk or by writing to National Parks Review, Area 1A-North, Victoria Quay, Leith, Edinburgh, EH6 6QQ. The results will form part of the evidence being considered during Stage 1 of the Review which reports in the autumn. As part of the development of Stage 2 of the Review there will be a full consultation on the implications of the findings of the first Stage.
The strategic review of Scotland's two National Park Authorities was announced by Michael Russell, Minister for Environment, in March. The review is looking at:
The most appropriate type of public body (or Bodies) for delivering National Park functions in Scotland; the most appropriate employer arrangement for this body (bodies); the most appropriate governance arrangements for this body (bodies).
The National Park Authorities have been in existence as public bodies for approximately five years and reviewing Non-Departmental Public Bodies at this stage is government policy.
The National Parks Reviewer is Dr Fiona Spencer, Scottish Government.
The National Parks Review Advisory Group members are;
Peter Russell, Scottish Government Rural Director (Chair)
Ian Hooper, Scottish Government, Deputy Director, Rural Directorate, Landscapes and Habitats
Jane Hope, Chief Executive Cairngorms National Parks Authority.
Fiona Logan, Chief Executive Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority
Professor Peter Higgins, Edinburgh University
Fiona Zapirain, Scottish Government, Public Bodies Policy