Dispensations Granted for Members of Cairngorms National Park Authority and Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority

10th October 2023

Following a request to do so from both Cairngorms National Park Authority and Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority, the Standards Commission decided to grant a dispensation to allow the Members of both to take part in any discussion, decision-making and voting, without being bound by the provision on collective responsibility, on the Scottish Government’s consultation on the future governance of National Parks in Scotland and the future governance arrangements of National Park Authorities.

The Standards Commission was of the view that it was within the spirit and intent of the Model Code of Conduct for Members of Devolved Public Bodies to grant the dispensation. In reaching this decision, the Standards Commission considered that any potential personal benefit to individual Members, or any perception of such, would be outweighed by the clear public interest in the Government being able to benefit from hearing the perspectives and views of the organisations directly affected by the proposals. Members will nevertheless be reminded that their participation in the development of any response on behalf of the park authority must be approached from the perspective of its best interests.