The role played by upland livestock farmers and landowners is still “underestimated”, the chief executive of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority has said.

David Butterworth was commenting as talks about reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) continue.

He said thousands of jobs were dependent on the farmed landscape of the Dales and the North York Moors.

CAP reforms are due to be agreed in 2012 and come into force by 2014.

The National Park Authority says the beauty of the farmed landscape of the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors makes a major contribution to Yorkshire’s economy delivering 34,000 jobs in agriculture and tourism and providing £1.8bn in sales.

Mr Butterworth says that the area’s economy and landscape is fragile especially in the current economic climate and adds that the role of hill farming must be taken seriously in the current CAP negotiations.

“In these critical discussions on the future of farming it is important to recognise the whole contribution of Dales’ farmers.”

Unique role

He added that farmers and landowners play a unique role in these upland areas:

“Ninety-nine per cent of the Yorkshire Dales National Park is in private ownership.

“So you don’t need to be a genius to work out the size of the contribution that farmers and landowners make to the conservation and enhancement of this Jewel in England’s landscape.”

David Butterworth also pointed out that these areas can also help in the fight against climate change and flooding:

“They contain huge amounts of peat, which are vital stores of carbon. Managing this land well will make a major contribution to controlling carbon emissions, as well as improving water quality and the internationally-important wildlife of the area.

“Indeed, if these giant ‘sponges’ of peat are well maintained, it might just help to prevent some of the terrible floods that have been seen in recent years in Boroughbridge and York.”

The European Commission CAP Paper and Budget Review was published last autumn and discussions are expected to continue for the next 18 months. An agreement on reform is expected in late 2012 with the new rules coming into force in January 2014.

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/york/hi/people_and_places/newsid_9390000/9390009.stm

Yorkshire Dales National Park jobs and projects face axe

9:28am Monday 7th February 2011

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• By Allan Tunningley

  »

EIGHTEEN jobs and 12 environmental projects look set to be scrapped as part of austerity measures proposed at the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.

The proposals would see 15 voluntary and three compulsory redundancies at the authority, which has had its funding cut by more than a quarter.

There would be cuts to school visits, events, information centre opening hours and graduate apprenticeships. Two of the park’s 14 toilets would close and there would be no grants for free leisure
bus services in 2011-2012.

Also, less money would be allocated to climate change and archaeology research The Government grant for the park authority will reduce by £1.43m, or 25.3%, over the next four years.

YDNPA has now launched a public consultation on its cut proposals.

Chairman Carl Lis said once inflation was added, the actual cut was nearer £1.9m, or 31%.

“This reduction in our budget has meant that we have had to rethink drastically our role now and in the immediate future and, unfortunately, it will mean staff redundancies and the scrapping of
some of the work we do so that we can continue to provide our key services to a high standard.

“The authority has carefully considered a range of options and developed proposals that would meet the required budget cuts, while trying to deliver the statutory purposes of a national park
authority.

“Now we want to hear what the public thinks about the proposed changes to our services, and the impact they may have on the environment, local communities, and the use and enjoyment of the national
park.”

The public consultation runs until March 10 and a final decision will be made on March 29.

Public consultation on the draft budget proprosals began on Friday (February 4).

YDNPA has set up a web page containing the consultation survey and links to the content of the draft budget at the address below.

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http://www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk/news/8836785.Yorkshire_Dales_National_Park_jobs_and_projects_face_axe/

Park jobs and projects face axe

EIGHTEEN jobs and 12 environmental projects will be scrapped as part of austerity measures proposed at the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.

The proposals would see 15 voluntary and three compulsory redundancies at the authority, which has had its funding cut by more than a quarter.

There would be cuts to school visits, events, information centre opening hours and graduate apprenticeships. Two of the park’s 14 toilets would close and there would be no grants for free leisure
bus services in 2011-2012.

Also, less money would be allocated to climate change and archaeology research The Government grant for the park authority will reduce by £1.43m, or 25.3%, over the next four years.

YDNPA has now launched a public consultation on its cut proposals.

Chairman Carl Lis said once inflation was added, the actual cut was nearer £1.9m, or 31%.

“This reduction in our budget has meant that we have had to rethink drastically our role now and in the immediate future and, unfortunately, it will mean staff redundancies and the scrapping of
some of the work we do so that we can continue to provide our key services to a high standard.

“The authority has carefully considered a range of options and developed proposals that would meet the required budget cuts, while trying to deliver the statutory purposes of a national park
authority.

“Now we want to hear what the public thinks about the proposed changes to our services, and the impact they may have on the environment, local communities, and the use and enjoyment of the national
park.”

The public consultation runs until March 10 and a final decision will be made on March 29.

Public consultation on the draft budget proprosals began on Friday (February 4).

http://www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk/news/8836785.Park_jobs_and_projects_face_axe/

The Walking for Health project already has more than 200 members who have taken part in scores of walks in two Richmondshire towns, and it is now being extended to cover the vast majority of the district.

The initiative has run over 250 walks in R

ichmond and Catterick Garrison since it was created 12 months ago.

Funding has now been secured from the Richmondshire Local Strategic Partnership and from Easby Electronics to introduce the scheme across Richmondshire.

During the next 12 months, centres to promote the project will be established in Hawes, Reeth and Leyburn, and taster walks have already taken place in Catterick Village.

The scheme’s co-ordinator, William Gedye, said: “These walks are aimed at people who need exercise to improve their health, recover from illness, lose weight or to help prevent illness.

“They are steady one or two-mile strolls on easy terrain and give people a chance to enjoy the countryside and make new friends while improving their health.

“But to expand the programme we need more volunteer walk leaders in all these areas to help new walkers to benefit from the scheme.”

The project is accredited by Natural England, and it is run locally by the Richmond Swale Valley Community Initiative.

Anyone wanting to join – as a walker or as a volunteer leader – can contact Mr Gedye on 07710 739192.

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