Chamber
Plenary, 13 Mar 2008
13 Mar 2008 · S3 · Plenary
Item of business
National Parks
The two national parks play a significant part in my region. They are both young, although they are growing up, and at present they need encouragement rather than interference. Professor Kay is a fine academic and I feel that I know him well, having read many of his works on the Dunoon ferry service, which delivers people to the Argyll forest area of the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs national park. I will comment on some of the issues that are identified in his report, and on some of my concerns, but first I will highlight the positive aspects of the national parks.
The other week, I had a meeting in Grantown with the convener of the Cairngorms National Park Authority, David Green. I am particularly interested in the work that the authority is doing to offer training to land-based businesses. The training is benefiting estates, farms, crofts, forestry, fishing, horticulture, nurseries and outdoor recreation providers in the park. Indeed, any business that is related to the management or use of the land is benefiting. Environmental courses on deer stalking, black grouse management, mole control, water margin management and dry-stone dyking are vital in maintaining traditional skills. There is so little agricultural training nowadays that those courses are all the more important.
Public-benefit courses that have been delivered through the training programme include ones on the Scottish outdoor access code, Cairngorms wildlife, tick control and heather management, and catering for the less-able visitor. The CNPA has received positive comments from businesses and organisations about the training. Last year, more than 800 people from 182 businesses in the Cairngorms national park benefited from the project and said so.
In the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs national park, a community training programme runs useful courses on a range of subjects including how community organisations can better access funding streams. I am also impressed by the work that the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority is doing to increase apprenticeships in the park and to encourage businesses in the park to make use of the latest information technology.
An issue of concern that my constituents in the Cairngorms national park have raised with me is the requirement on developers in the park to make up to 50 per cent of new homes in a development affordable homes. Although we share the aim of having more affordable homes, will imposing a punitive requirement for an extra 25 per cent of affordable homes on a developer or house builder produce more homes or lead to fewer? I would like the minister to comment on that, if possible, because it is doubling a tax that, at best, is beginning to look inefficient. I would be interested to hear the minister's views on that when he sums up.
Given that both NPAs have been up and running for about five years, it makes sense to examine and take stock of their performance. Professor Kay identifies an excess of bureaucracy in the NPAs, and the Scottish Conservatives are always prepared to consider a reduction in bureaucracy so that money can be focused on delivery at a local level. As John Scott said, it might be true that the number of board members should be assessed to reduce expenditure, and we should probably debate that.
What really matters is that the park is run so that it is a success. I have concerns about the suggestion to strip the two NPAs of their separate status and merge them with SNH. Constituents who have contacted me in light of Saturday's coverage in The Scotsman are concerned about and opposed to that suggestion, which would be a backwards step. Anyone who remembers the consultations in the run-up to the creation of the parks will remember, as I do, that the main cause of concern in the communities affected was that SNH might run them. I would not be wrong in saying that most local people would consider domination by SNH to be a form of colonialism and therefore quite unthinkable.
The other week, I had a meeting in Grantown with the convener of the Cairngorms National Park Authority, David Green. I am particularly interested in the work that the authority is doing to offer training to land-based businesses. The training is benefiting estates, farms, crofts, forestry, fishing, horticulture, nurseries and outdoor recreation providers in the park. Indeed, any business that is related to the management or use of the land is benefiting. Environmental courses on deer stalking, black grouse management, mole control, water margin management and dry-stone dyking are vital in maintaining traditional skills. There is so little agricultural training nowadays that those courses are all the more important.
Public-benefit courses that have been delivered through the training programme include ones on the Scottish outdoor access code, Cairngorms wildlife, tick control and heather management, and catering for the less-able visitor. The CNPA has received positive comments from businesses and organisations about the training. Last year, more than 800 people from 182 businesses in the Cairngorms national park benefited from the project and said so.
In the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs national park, a community training programme runs useful courses on a range of subjects including how community organisations can better access funding streams. I am also impressed by the work that the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority is doing to increase apprenticeships in the park and to encourage businesses in the park to make use of the latest information technology.
An issue of concern that my constituents in the Cairngorms national park have raised with me is the requirement on developers in the park to make up to 50 per cent of new homes in a development affordable homes. Although we share the aim of having more affordable homes, will imposing a punitive requirement for an extra 25 per cent of affordable homes on a developer or house builder produce more homes or lead to fewer? I would like the minister to comment on that, if possible, because it is doubling a tax that, at best, is beginning to look inefficient. I would be interested to hear the minister's views on that when he sums up.
Given that both NPAs have been up and running for about five years, it makes sense to examine and take stock of their performance. Professor Kay identifies an excess of bureaucracy in the NPAs, and the Scottish Conservatives are always prepared to consider a reduction in bureaucracy so that money can be focused on delivery at a local level. As John Scott said, it might be true that the number of board members should be assessed to reduce expenditure, and we should probably debate that.
What really matters is that the park is run so that it is a success. I have concerns about the suggestion to strip the two NPAs of their separate status and merge them with SNH. Constituents who have contacted me in light of Saturday's coverage in The Scotsman are concerned about and opposed to that suggestion, which would be a backwards step. Anyone who remembers the consultations in the run-up to the creation of the parks will remember, as I do, that the main cause of concern in the communities affected was that SNH might run them. I would not be wrong in saying that most local people would consider domination by SNH to be a form of colonialism and therefore quite unthinkable.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Alasdair Morgan):
SNP
The next item of business is a debate on motion S3M-1548, in the name of Michael Russell, on national parks.
The Minister for Environment (Michael Russell):
SNP
Today's debate provides me with an opportunity to set out the Government's thinking on the future of our national parks. At the outset, I want to say with en...
Mike Rumbles (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) (LD):
LD
Did the minister say that he accepted that the two parks should remain separate, or that this is part of a review to put them together? Will he make that clear?
Michael Russell:
SNP
I am unlikely to merge the parks physically—that would require more than I am capable of.
Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab):
Lab
Surely not.
Michael Russell:
SNP
Jackie Baillie seems to believe that I could achieve even that, but I think that that is unlikely. On the separation of the parks, given that I have spoken o...
Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con):
Con
The minister's announcement on the southern boundary of the Cairngorms national park is most welcome, but I seek clarity on one issue. On what date is it pro...
Michael Russell:
SNP
All members will accept that the process in the legislation for making changes is slightly cumbersome. If SNH appoints a reporter now, I hope that the proces...
David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab):
Lab
Zhou Enlai was the premier of the People's Republic of China until 1976. As members may know, he was famous for his skill as a diplomat, as a participant at ...
Mike Rumbles:
LD
Does the member agree with me—and, indeed, with the minister—that one of the great success stories of the national parks is the directly elected element of l...
David Stewart:
Lab
I strongly agree with that; in fact, I will reach that issue later in my speech.That progress has included the provision of eco-tourism at Loch Lomond and co...
Michael Russell:
SNP
I am sure that the member is aware that I do not write The Scotsman. I am the person who commissioned the report. The member is right to draw attention to th...
David Stewart:
Lab
I thank the minister for his comments. His earlier announcements perhaps preoccupied some members in the chamber. The minister should by all means look at th...
John Scott (Ayr) (Con):
Con
I declare an interest as a farmer, although I farm outwith the national park boundaries—as they stand at the moment. I welcome the debate and the minister's ...
Jackie Baillie:
Lab
The important point is surely not the size of the board, but how effective it is and what it delivers. Does the member agree that some of the conclusions tha...
John Scott:
Con
I cannot say whether they are inaccurate, but I respect Professor Kay's report. It has been acknowledged, and I would be the first to acknowledge, that in se...
Mike Rumbles:
LD
Will the member give way?
John Scott:
Con
I want to press on.Tribute should be paid to those who have carried out and seen through that developmental phase. However, the purpose of the review, which ...
Jim Hume (South of Scotland) (LD):
LD
Scotland's two national parks provide valuable and, more important, unique assets. The previous Executive, and Sarah Boyack in particular, led the way on the...
Michael Russell:
SNP
I am pleased that Jim Hume is quoting Professor Kay, and I will set his mind at rest on the issue of two parks. I may not agree with Professor Kay on everyth...
Jim Hume:
LD
I was actually talking about park authorities. If their roles are reviewed, the autonomy of the two national park authorities should be recognised—that is th...
Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP):
SNP
It is a pleasure to talk about the next phase in the development of the national parks. I watched the process from the sidelines during the first parliamenta...
Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab):
Lab
I was proud to be involved in the original scrutiny of the National Parks (Scotland) Bill and the subsequent setting up of national parks in Loch Lomond and ...
Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con):
Con
The two national parks play a significant part in my region. They are both young, although they are growing up, and at present they need encouragement rather...
Michael Russell:
SNP
Before the member becomes totally carried away, I will make clear something that I clarified on Saturday when I was consulted about The Scotsman story. The r...
Jackie Baillie:
Lab
Excellent; keep saying it.
Michael Russell:
SNP
I would be happy to keep saying it to Jackie Baillie forever.
Jamie McGrigor:
Con
I am delighted to hear the minister reiterate that.Ministers will conduct a formal review of the Scottish national parks later in the year and Professor Kay'...
Nigel Don (North East Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
We probably agree that it is time to review where we are with the national parks. However, I will start with a quotation from some wonderful spin that I foun...
Alison McInnes (North East Scotland) (LD):
LD
I am fortunate enough to have part of the Cairngorms national park in my region. As well as being a world-class area of outstanding natural environment, the ...