26 September 2005
Dartmoor National Park Authority asks:
How are we doing?
The Dartmoor National Park Authority has been asking itself ‘How are we doing?’ in a self assessment of the quality of its vision for the future, its plans and how it executes those plans.
This approach is part of a National Park Authority Performance Assessment regime, which the English National Parks agreed to undergo during 2005, and is tailored to the special status of the National Parks. It has been developed in the light of the Corporate Performance Assessments (CPAs) that have been undertaken over the last few years at County and District Councils throughout the country, and following a similar process carried out at the Fire and Rescue Authorities.
The Dartmoor National Park Authority has invited representatives from the organisations it is involved with, as well as local residents, businesses and recreational users of the National Park, to meet a Team of five external Assessors. This Team comprises the Chief Executive (National Park Officer) of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (NPA), the Chairman of the Peak District NPA, a staff member from Northumberland NPA and the Chief Executive of South Norfolk Council. Coordinating the process is a SOLACE (Society of Local Authority Chief Executives) Enterprises facilitator.
From this meeting the SOLACE Team will gain a better appreciation of the strengths and weaknesses of Dartmoor National Park Authority and enable them to suggest ways to improve the quality of the services offered to the public, extending the achievement of National Park purposes on Dartmoor.
The Assessment Team visits Dartmoor from 3-7 October 2005 and, as well as meeting the Authority’s partners and stakeholders, it will talk with Dartmoor National Park Authority officers and Members. The Team will feedback their insight and discuss their thoughts before writing the final report. By mid November, discussions about an improvement plan will take place and a final overview report, covering the assessments and improvement plans for all eight National Park Authorities, will be submitted to the Defra Minister, Jim Knight MP. This is expected to underpin any case for resources, support, or arrangements necessary to deliver agreed improvements.
Ends
For further information:
Tess Walker, Performance Assessment Project Officer
Mike Nendick, Communications Officer, Dartmoor National Park Authority
Tel: (01626) 832093
Agendas for full Dartmoor National Park Authority meetings and Dartmoor National Park Authority planning meetings are now available on the Authority's website
You can receive an e-mail notification each time a News Release is issued by the Dartmoor National Park Authority.
News Releases from all UK National Parks
Notes for Editors
National Parks cover 10% of the land area of England, Wales and Scotland. They are of special value to the whole nation because of their great beauty, their wildlife and cultural interests and the opportunities they offer for quiet enjoyment. However, they are not nationally owned - the land is in the hands of many landowners or occupiers including farmers. Over 33,000 people live inside the Dartmoor National Park and many millions of visits are made to it each year.
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This page last updated 28 September 2005
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