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/