HARD CHOICES FORNATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY

Exmoor National Park Authority is seeking the public’s viewson some of the hard decisions about which of its services will need to be reducedor cut completely once the scale of theexpectedreductionin government fundingisknown in the Autumn.

Although the scale of thecuts are not yet known, and may notbe until sometime after the 20 October when the Government’s Spending Review is announced, the Authority is bracing itself for a possible reduction up to a third from its budgetover the next four years.

Dr Nigel Stone, chief executive of Exmoor National Park Authority said: "If thereduction in National Park Grant is as bad as has been indicated, it’s clear that we’re not going to be able to provide the level of service that we do at the moment for the benefit of Exmoor National Park, our local communities and visitors.

We have therefore been holding a number of workshops and meetings withlocal organizationsto get their views onour future prioritiesandwaysin whichwemight reduce ourexpenditure.We would also welcome views from the public as we want to make sure that we continueto deliver servicesthat are of most benefit to Exmoor, the local communities with whom we work and people visiting the National Park.”

The National Park Authority currently provides a range of services to residents and visitors of the National Park including:

·Conservation advice and projects - wildlife, moorlands, woodlands, habitat management, archaeology and historic buildings

·National Park Centres and information provision, inclcations and website

·Walks, talks, events and activities

·Footpaths and other rights of way and access issues

·Education services including school groups, outreach, volunteer involvement and the Pinkery Centre for Outdoor Education

·Planning services including development management, enforcement and development of planning policy (these services are statutory)

·Ranger service and Field Services Team

·Advice/support to farmers and landowners

·Advice/support for tourism businesses

·Support for the economy and climate change

·General enquiries service

Dr Stone continued: "We are seeking the views and suggestionsof the general public and we are keen to hear viewson how might we, the Authority, make savings in our expenditure and what you think the Authority's priorities should be in the future?"

To give us your views please feel free to write, send an e-mail to info@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk or go to

Future Spending and Priorities on our website. The consultation will be open until Monday 18 October.b