ITEM 11 EXMOOR NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY

5 December 2017

PROGRESS IMPLEMENTING THE BUSINESS PLAN 2017-2020

Report of the Head of Personnel and Corporate Support PURPOSE OF THE REPORT: To inform Members about the progress made in implementing key actions within the current Business Plan for the period April 2017- September 2017. RECOMMENDATION: The Authority is recommended to: 1. NOTE the progress in implementing the Authority’s key commitments set out in the Business Plan 2017-2020 2. DELEGATE to the Finance and Performance Advisory Panel and Leadership Team further scrutiny of Authority performance across all the Business Plan actions for the next reporting period to 31 March 2018.

Authority Business Plan: The Business Plan outlines the priorities for the Authority for the period to March 2020. It closely follows the priorities set out by Defra in its 2016 8-Point Plan for England’s National Parks to ensure the Authority delivers the ambitions of Defra as well as those additional priorities for this Authority.

Legal and Equality Implications: Section 65(4) Environment Act 1995 – provides powers to the National Park Authority to “do anything which in the opinion of the Authority, is calculated to facilitate, or is conducive or incidental to:- (a) the accomplishment of the purposes mentioned in s. 65 (1) [National Park purposes] (b) the carrying out of any functions conferred on it by virtue of any other enactment.” The equality impact of the recommendations of this report has been assessed as follows: There are no foreseen adverse impacts on any protected group(s). Engagement through the outreach work within the plan is designed to have a positive impact on protected groups. Consideration has been given to the provisions of the Human Rights Act 1998 and an assessment of the implications of the recommendations of this report is as follows: There are no implications for the Human Rights Act. Financial and Risk Implications: No financial or risk implications have been identified. Performance management exerts a positive influence on financial and risk management.

1. Introduction

1.1 The 2017-2020 Business Plan was approved by the Authority on 04 April 2017. The plan sets out the key priorities for the Authority for the period of the plan. 1.2 Performance is monitored quarterly by Leadership Team to ensure that the actions within the Business Plan are being achieved and, if necessary, to provide an opportunity for resources to be re-allocated or to review the proposed action. 1

1.3 The Finance and Performance Advisory Panel will further scrutinise all finance and performance information for the Authority throughout the remainder of the financial year and in preparation for the end of year performance report to the Authority. 1.4 The following sections provide an overview of performance against key actions in the 2017-2020 Business Plan for the period 1 April 2017 to 30 September 2017.

2.0 Business Plan at a Glance

2.1 The current Business Plan outlines the priorities for the Authority for the period from April 2017 to March 2020. It closely follows the priorities set out by Defra in its 8-Point Plan for England’s National Parks to ensure the Authority delivers the ambitions of Defra as well as those additional priorities for this Authority.

2.2 The actions within the plan are grouped as follows:

Inspiring Natural  Connect young people with Exmoor Environments  Create thriving natural environments

 Everyone’s Exmoor National Treasures  Exmoor’s Landscape and heritage

 Health and wellbeing - delivering through Exmoor

 Drive sustainable growth in international and domestic tourism Drivers of the Rural  Deliver new apprenticeships and placements on Economy Exmoor

 Seek to foster the social and economic wellbeing of Exmoor communities

 Broaden our income base to ensure sustainable delivery of National Park purposes Corporate Priorities  Work with communities, businesses and partners to

deliver National Park purposes

 Develop and maintain effective and efficient services

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3.0 Progress – Key Priorities

3.1 An assessment against the priority actions within the plan are outlined below. In addition to the numerous successes marked in green, Members are recommended to note areas where progress was not on target. These are marked in amber and include areas where additional work is being undertaken or where progress was not made due to factors outside the Authority’s control.

3.2 Connect Young People with Nature The focus of this area of work is to support schools and groups to deliver high quality outdoor learning on Exmoor with a target of reaching 8000 young people per year by 2020.

Priority Actions Progress Status

Our Education Partners scheme is underway with 6 local Engage teachers and schools signed up. group leaders, both

within Exmoor and New curriculum based study days have been developed regionally, to develop (Porlock Marsh, River Lyn Rivers Study and Prehistoric knowledge, skills and Exmoor). These study days are delivered for a fee confidence in outdoor payable by the schools in accordance with our new learning and in using charging policy. To 30 September 2017 £2,085 has been Exmoor as an outdoor raised. classroom

Support partners to 5 waves of the National Citizenship Scheme have been deliver the National completed on Exmoor, led by delivery partners Somerset Citizenship Service on Rural Youth Project. 400 young people have participated. Exmoor and further develop the concepts of The Exmoor Young Champions Project is approaching the Young Champions completion and a final report will be produced following an scheme in partnership evaluation themed residential event at the Authority’s with the Somerset Rural Pinkery Centre. Youth Project

The trading account for the Pinkery Centre for Outdoor Learning shows an improvement for 2017/18 following the implementation of the new charging regime. The gross value of bookings has increased by £14,000. Users report Integrate Pinkery high satisfaction with the experience and service provided. Centre into the Authority’s Learning and The facility has, however, incurred unexpected operational Outreach service, costs due to failures with the energy system and the reducing net costs to receipt of a condition survey outlining the need for a the Authority while planned maintenance programme for the next 5 years. providing a fun learning experience for young An independent health and safety audit has been people commissioned alongside an internal audit to examine and explore delivery against the business model. The Authority will be presented with the internal audit report in January 2018.

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Priority Actions Progress Status

The John Muir Award has been trialled and adopted as Provide information, a framework for engagement with schools and groups. The first group has successfully completed the John toolkits, and access to Muir based week at Pinkery. small grants to enable teacher, group leaders The Learning pages of the Authority’s website have and young people to been refreshed to enable easier enquiries, bookings access Exmoor and access to our online resources. New online independently resources have been developed that focus on Porlock Marsh.

3.3 Create thriving natural environments This area of work will be delivered in partnership with farmers, land managers, local communities, Defra and other agencies to ensure integrated management of the natural environment that keeps Exmoor special.

Priority Actions Progress Status The project has completed the first two of five years of delivery and is ahead of schedule. In total to date:  26 farm holdings have been visited, with Water and Work with South West Environment Plans produced for 19 of these; Water to coordinate the  Five woodlands have been visited, with four plans Headwaters of the Exe produced; programme which will  Nine capital grants have been offered and six other provide advice and grant grant applications are being processed; aid to farmers and  Work has been completed on 18 rights of way that foresters in the Exe and presented significant water run-off issues; Barle catchments to help  Six public events have been held. Two further

maintain and improve the events are being planned for 2017/18; management of water on  Monitoring has been carried out by the University of their land for the health Exeter and through the Riverfly Partnership. and wellbeing of the Following a successful training event earlier in the environment, local and year, the Riverfly surveys are now complete across regional communities the catchment for 2017. Thanks to the help of dedicated volunteers the network of survey sites has expanded into 10 new areas with a particular focus on water quality.

Explore, with farmers, The Authority hosted an Agri-Environment and Rural Development Group meeting with Natural England and land managers, agencies Defra and has actively been engaging with the Exmoor and interest groups, Hill Farming Network, individual landowners, Exmoor options for a new system Society and National Trust. of locally targeted farm support which rewards The “Beyond 2020” report was produced, following the delivery of valued research and dialogue with Exmoor farmers. Robert public goods and Deane was commissioned to prepare a ‘prospectus’ for services a new agri-environment scheme for Exmoor –The Exmoor Ambition, and Professor Janet Dwyer to 4

Priority Actions Progress Status explore governance arrangements. The Steering Group, comprising ENPA Members and CEO, the EHFN, Exmoor Society, NE and individual land owners has met regularly. The group is developing the model, securing local and regional support, exploring branding, and working with the NFU, NPE, the Uplands Alliance, CLA, Defra officials and Ministers to explore the potential for an Exmoor pilot.

Good progress has been made with the Exmoor Knotweed Control Project this year. Permission was given to treat 800 sites. With additional treatment of sites by Somerset County Council, Environment Agency and landowners, a total of 914 sites were treated. On 60 sites, landowners reported that knotweed was no longer visible following successive years of treatment.

There are currently 56 sites with knotweed on land designated as organic and the first trial using an Continue support for the electricide method of control has been undertaken. control of Japanese Further treatment will be carried out in 2018 to see if Knotweed and other non- this is effective in the control of knotweed. native invasive species The Montbretia along the River Barle was recorded through a drone flight from Simonsbath to Cow Castle which illustrates the issues with its spread along this catchment.

First records of Lysichiton americanus (known as skunk cabbage) within the National Park have been made and control methods are currently being sought.

The Authority continues to work with the Exmoor District Deer Management Society in coordinating deer Support the annual deer counts and evaluating results. In addition the Authority, counts to monitor the working with local landowners and game shoots, health and wellbeing of organised and completed the Monksilver fallow deer the red deer herds and count. work with the Exmoor Rural Crime Initiative to Key Authority staff were involved in two night patrols monitor and reduce the with local Police and other partner agencies of the Exmoor Rural Crime Initiative to proactively deter deer impact of poaching on poaching. Staff continue to work with members of the red deer initiative to gather intelligence and help prevent deer poaching.

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Priority Actions Progress Status Weather conditions meant no swaling was possible in the last season (Oct 2016-Apr 2017). As a result no Hold the annual moorland swaling review has been held in 2017. swaling review, provide help and advice on Advice and mapping assistance has been provided to swaling and moorland landowners and contractors. Signs and equipment management were loaned to landowners, but ultimately were unused due to the disadvantageous conditions.

3.4 Everyone’s Exmoor The focus of this area of work is to provide opportunities for all to enjoy Exmoor, alleviating barriers that stop people enjoying National Parks

Priority Actions Progress Status

 Heritage Ambassadors Guided Walks – These are proving increasingly popular with the public - 13 volunteer-led guided walks were run during the summer and attendance is up by 145% on the same period last year. A new guided walk will be launched at North Hill in October.  Maximizing marketing for Get Involved opportunities – Get Involved (GI) was promoted at Dulverton School Fete, Dunster Show and to Lord Gardiner during his visit to Exmoor. The number of people currently signed up to receive Provide a wide range of our Get Involved Newsletter has increased by 18% opportunities for on last year, to 967. To date, 228 people have participation and logged sightings online for Exmoor Wild Watch engagement including 2017, this figure is up on last year. volunteering (Get Involved  Broadening volunteering opportunities at our project), formal and National Park Centres (NPCs) - 6 new NPC informal education, training Ambassadors are regularly helping at our 3 and greater involvement of National Park Centres. An additional 2 new non-traditional users Ambassadors have assisted with promoting Get Involved at local events/shows.  Training workshops – First Aid training in July included attendees from partner organisations. 47 volunteers have received health & safety training as part of Historic Signposts Project.  Recruitment, Retention and Volunteer Induction –To date 65 new volunteers have been recruited for the Historic Signpost project. The River Barle Crayfish Project was shortlisted for this year’s Campaign for National Park’s Park Protector Award. The National Trust’s Healthy

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Priority Actions Progress Status

Hedgerows volunteers, supported by the Authority, won the Environmental category of the Engage West Somerset awards. They have also been nominated for the Somerset County Council’s Chairman’s award.  Improved data capture –Better Impact will provide the new volunteer database platform. Volunteers will be able to log in during early 2018 helping to enhance engagement. A range of exhibitions, activities and a developing retail line has seen a continued year on year increase in foot fall and spend across the National Park Centre (NPC) Provide National Park network. Centres at Lynmouth, Dunster and Dulverton  93,923 visitors have been to an NPC in the last which promote ways to three months [cumulative 131,299 year to date]. enjoy and understand the  Footfall is up 2.8% and income up 7.7% year to National Park and bring date. wider benefits to Exmoor communities and Volunteer Ambassadors have been recruited to all NPCs, helping to deliver an exceptional service. businesses – seeking to reduce net costs of The National Park Centres continue to receive delivering the service excellent reviews and are rated 4.5-5 (out of 5) on Trip Advisor. Lynmouth also has a Certificate of Excellence from Trip Advisor based on consistently high scoring reviews from visitors. Work tickets completed by the Field Services Team are increasingly delivered within their target date - 83% of faults have been resolved within the 3 month target.

It has been a difficult year for paring with increased Ensure a great recreational vegetation growth in the warm weather. This required experience through an additional 30 days of staff time to maintain management of our standards along 133km of paths. extensive public access network, including picnic The Headwaters of the Exe program path repairs sites and car parks, remain ahead of schedule with 4 projects completed at ensuring that 95% of the end of September 2017.

Public Rights of Way are The Porlock Marsh Boardwalk has been extended by open and easy to use 10m to give a more convenient level run on the Porlock side.

Projects to replace major bridges at Woodside on the East Lyn and over the Barle near Great Bradley are making good progress.

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Priority Actions Progress Status

Develop and deliver Big While Big Adventure Days continue to be the flagship Adventure Days with a family focused events, the Authority is providing a focus on encouraging broad range of opportunities and activities that appeal families to learn more to families and others. These include “family camp about Exmoor, experience outs”, “Family Wildlife Days”, a broad programme of walks, seashore safaris and the October Dark Skies the benefits of being active Festival. and outdoors together and the confidence to come to For the period to date, 2,130 people attended public Exmoor independently events.

3.5 Exmoor’s Landscape and Heritage The focus of this area of work is to conserve and enhance the landscape and heritage of Exmoor while supporting sustainable development that allows local communities and businesses to thrive.

Priority Actions Progress Status

A draft Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) has been produced that provides a comprehensive update to the 2007 Exmoor National Park LCA, and also Complete, review and provides more detailed guidance on the policies publish the 2017 Exmoor relating to landscape character in the adopted Local Landscape Character Plan 2011-2031. The draft LCA SPD is a detailed and Assessment as purposeful document that is both a celebration and an Supplementary Planning analysis of the diverse and distinctive landscapes of Exmoor. Guidance and integrate the findings into policy and Consultation on the draft LCA SPD was held between land management in the 14th July - 8 September 2017 National Park The representations received will be considered and any changes required to the supplementary planning document will then be made before it is recommended for adoption by the Authority.

The Local Plan was the subject of an independent examination conducted by an Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State from the point of the submission of the Plan on 6th May 2016. The Adopt the Exmoor Local examination included hearing sessions and further Plan which will guide and consultation on the proposed main modifications to support sustainable the Plan. The Authority made the Inspector’s Report development on Exmoor publically available on 15th June 2017. The report found the Plan to be sound subject to making the recommended main modifications.

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Priority Actions Progress Status

On 4th July 2017, Exmoor National Park Authority formally adopted the Exmoor National Park Local Plan 2011-2031.

The Local Plan promotes sustainable development, which enables local communities and businesses to thrive, whilst conserving and enhancing the National Park’s special qualities. Now adopted, the Local Plan is the statutory development plan and forms the basis for planning decisions within Exmoor National Park.

Work with the Simonsbath Steering Group to complete feasibility studies for the future uses of White An application has been submitted to the Heritage Rock Cottage and the old Lottery Fund for the development of the project to Simonsbath school conserve White Rock Cottage, create a community buildings, develop space for Exmoor parish and to restore the lost management structures for gardens in Ashcombe. A decision on the application the project, gather external will be received in March 2018. funding and implement the preferred options for the building. The two year project has been running for almost a year and has been going from strength to strength. Work with all Exmoor Over 100 volunteers have been involved so far and Parishes and Somerset they have been busy carrying out surveys, researching County Council to record, the history and painting the historic cast iron signposts. refurbish and celebrate the Refurbishment work has taken place in Brompton historic signposts across Regis, Clatworthy, Cutcombe, Dunster, Exford, Exton, Hawkridge, Porlock, Timberscombe, Withypool and the National Park Wootton Courtenay. Another ten parishes will be starting work in the new year.

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3.6 Health and Wellbeing - Delivering Through Exmoor Using the Government’s 5 Ways to Wellbeing framework, the Authority will guide programmes of work to promote the public health benefits of volunteering, learning and recreational activities on Exmoor.

Priority Actions Progress Status

The Moor to Enjoy project continues to deliver potentially life transforming experiences for participants. Eight group visits and 2 group leader visits have been completed, supporting people with mental health challenges, older people, homeless people, Through the Moor to Enjoy people who have hearing impairment and family project, continue to work support groups. with partners on initiatives to improve public health 494 people have been engaged through the Moor to and wellbeing and reduce Enjoy project including 350 at the Naturally Healthy health inequalities, Month Health and Wellbeing Event in Lynmouth. promoting Exmoor as a The Authority is supporting Active Devon (through the health and wellbeing Local Nature Partnership) with a Sport England funded resource Connecting Actively with Nature project. A first round award has been made to develop an engagement

programme with inactive people aged 55+.

Work with partners to New relationships have been established between the explore joint working Somerset County Sports partnership (young people’s opportunities to increase and older adults’ forums) and with Public Health participation and reducing England SW. health inequalities A pan-southern working group has been established (Exmoor, Dartmoor, South Downs and New Forest National Park Authorities and Public Health England SW & SE) to encourage partnership working.

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3.7 Drive Sustainable Growth in International and Domestic Tourism The focus of this area of work will be to work in partnership with tourism bodies and businesses to achieve greater numbers of visitors and an extended tourism season.

Priority Actions Progress Status

Visit Exmoor membership has increased and website Work with Visit England, traffic has grown 38% year on year. A new training Visit Exmoor and tourism course is being developed to work with tourism businesses to promote providers and support them to promote Exmoor’s Exmoor as a destination offer – initial pilot event is scheduled for November 2017. Explore the potential tourism Successful joint English National Park bid to Visit England’s Discover England fund to develop new offer of a multi-national park destination package, products for overseas markets through ‘Make Great Memories in England’s National Parks’ project. This working in partnership with will target German and Australian tour operators Dartmoor National Park through development of a signature experience Authority, New Forest collection and business development. This is a £1.4m National Park Authority, project to be delivered by March 2019. south-west Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and commercial tourism operators

3.8 Deliver New Apprenticeships and Placements on Exmoor The focus of this area of work will be to work in partnership with other National Parks to create new apprenticeship standards for careers in the countryside, to offer work placements, paid internships and apprenticeships.

Priority Actions Progress Status

The trailblazer apprenticeship scheme Countryside Worker had reached the accreditation stage. Work with English National However, the Institute of Apprenticeships has now Parks to develop instigated a policy of re-examining all apprentice appropriate apprenticeship standards previously given the go ahead for standards for careers in development. The Institute have taken the view that countryside land they do not now accept that Countryside Worker is an management and seek occupation in its own right. The English National Park opportunities to develop Authorities are working with National Parks England additional standards where and seeking support from Defra to ensure that this there is a demand for skills important rural based apprenticeship standard is reconsidered by the Institute. Offer paid apprenticeships Two new apprentices were appointed to the Field and internships providing Services Team in April and July and will study with opportunities for young Bridgwater college for their two year apprenticeship. people to learn and develop their careers

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3.9 Seek to foster the Social and Economic Wellbeing of Exmoor Communities The focus of this area of work will be, whilst meeting National Park purposes, to seek to foster the social and economic wellbeing of local communities in the National Park.

Priority Actions Progress Status

Work with communities, Significant completion of Airband deployment providers and Connecting achieved – remaining deployment to be completed by Devon & Somerset to end of year further extending coverage. maximise the delivery of Superfast Broadband, Proactive marketing of the Airband system is being undertaken leading to increase in subscribers. especially through development of the Airband Network, in ways that are compatible with National Park purposes. A total of 48 planning surgeries were held in Porlock and Lynton providing 123 individual sessions of free Determine planning planning advice. applications within the national timeliness targets  100% of major applications (2) were and provide a good service determined within 13 weeks or the agreed time to applicants, including limit through free planning  94% of minor residential, commercial and advisory surgeries in industrial applications (50) were determined Porlock and Lynton within 8 weeks or the agreed time limit  88% of other applications (67) were determined within 8 weeks or agreed time limit

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3.10 Other Key Corporate Priorities

Priority Actions Progress Status

Develop and adopt the 2017 The draft Partnership Plan has been developed with – 2022 Exmoor National consultation events delivered in September and Park Partnership Plan and October. The plan is on target for adoption by the work with key partners to Authority in February 2018. deliver the priorities for Exmoor identified in the plan A programme of Leadership and Management Development training has been created with the first Develop and support our session delivered in October 2017. staff team to enable the best The programme is for 11 months (1 session per use of our knowledge, skills month) and will engage all staff in leadership, and experience in delivering management and supervisory roles in developing the National Park purposes core skills required for the management of staff and corporate processes. Develop the processes and The required identification of and training for a Data train staff to meet the Protection Officer within the staff complement has requirements of the General been completed. Work has begun to draft the policies Data Protection Regulations and procedures required to support compliant data which will apply in the UK protection practices. A programme of staff training will be rolled out alongside a review of data assets held. from 25 May 2018

Rachel Oxenham Head of Personnel and Corporate Support

December 2017

Background papers on which this report, or an important part of it are based, constitute the list of background papers required by Section 100 D (1) of the Local Government Act 1972 to be open to members of the public comprise:

Business Plan 2017/20

8-Point Plan for England’s National Parks – March 2016 (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

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