Cairngorms National Park Authority chiefs to look at job shares option for leading committee roles

There could be job shares for leading committee roles at the Cairngorms National Park Authority in the future.

Board members agreed at their latest meeting to investigate the potential for the deputy convener appointment.

The National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000 requires that 'members must elect from amongst their number a convener and a deputy convener'.

David Cameron, director of corporate services and deputy chief executive, said that the legal position for job share for elected positions was currently unclear.

He states in a paper going before the full board: "The implication of the wording of the act is therefore of a single member being identified in each role although this is neither defined nor made more explicit.

"In the time available between the 26 August board meeting and the 1 September distribution of papers for the 9 September board meeting, it is not possible to receive definitive advice on this matter.

"Taking forward an election of deputy convener with an allowance for multiple members to undertake the role in a 'role share' format would therefore be with some legal risk.

"As such, it is recommended that the board agree that the idea of providing for role sharing in elected Board offices is further researched by officers with a view to being in position to establish proposals by June 2023."

Members will have the chance to debate the issue at their full meeting to be held at their Grantown headquarters and online next Friday.

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