Agenda item

Consider report by Director Infrastructure and Environment. (Copy attached.)

There had been circulated copies of a report by the Director - Infrastructure and Environment which set out the process under which a new National Park for Scotland would be designated and the work undertaken to assess the potential for a National Park in the South of Scotland. It also sought Members views on whether the Council supported the proposal being developed by the campaign for a Scottish Borders National Park in the Southern Borders.   It was accepted that National Park designation had the potential to bring a range of significant benefits to the region, helping to deliver key economic and environmental policy objectives. However, it was not without its opponents and potential negative impacts, based on the experience of other areas, including increasing house prices, additional bureaucracy, pressures on infrastructure and services, etc.  The Regional Economic Partnership (REP) had been working to develop a strategic South of Scotland approach for a National Park, as it was felt that had the greatest potential to explore the opportunities and maximise the potential benefits to construct a robust and persuasive case, building on existing ‘Scotland Starts Here’ branding, and strategies and frameworks for the South of Scotland.  However, that had failed to gain support from the existing campaign groups and Dumfries and Galloway Council have recently reiterated support for the Galloway proposal. There were two competing proposals in the South of Scotland and in the circumstances, it was not proposed to undertake any further work developing this concept at this time. The Campaign for a Scottish Borders National Park had asked that Scottish Borders Council consider their proposal and had specifically asked for an indication of support.  Officers had identified challenges with their proposed concept and did not feel that a compelling and cogent case had been made for a National Park in the Scottish Borders alone.  In view of the inability to get agreement on a strategic South of Scotland approach that would deliver the greatest potential benefits to the region and align more closely with key policy drivers and strategies, it was not possible to support a National Park in the Scottish Borders.  Following extensive discussions regarding the report, and whether it would be appropriate to take no further action to allow Members additional time to consult their constituents, there was a difference of opinion so a vote was held the results of which were as follows:

VOTE

Councillor Linehan, seconded by Councillor Pirone, moved that the recommendations as contained in the report be approved.

Councillor Smart, seconded by Councillor PatonDay, moved as an amendment that the recommendations in the report were not approved.

On a show of hands Members voted as follows:-

Motion – 27 votes

Amendment – 2 votes

The Motion was accordingly carried.

DECISION

DECIDED:-

(a)     to note the nominations process for a new National Park(s) in Scotland had commenced and acknowledged the work undertaken to develop a strategic approach to a South of Scotland National Park and the work of the campaign for a Scottish Borders National Park; and

(b)     that the Council was unable to support the proposal by the campaign for a Scottish Borders National Park in the Southern Borders.