Recommendations: The Board is asked to note overall progress and headline achievements in delivery of the 2017/18 Corporate Plan priorities.

Transcription

1 Title: Q2 Performance Report Date: 16 November 2017 For Information, Decision or Discussion Summary: For Information. This Performance Report for Quarter 2 covers the progress made on the 13 corporate priorities in our Corporate Plan update for Good progress has been made during Q2 with 10 of priorities on track, and 3 reporting at amber due to minor slippage. Resource pressures are beginning to emerge. These are being addressed by re-prioritising staff time to ensure delivery of highest priority work. As a result some work is likely to be deferred or stopped during Q3. Recommendations: The Board is asked to note overall progress and headline achievements in delivery of the 2017/18 Corporate Plan priorities. Relevant to Corporate Priorities: Fits with Government Priorities: Risks: Resource/Staffing: Provides progress on delivery of the 5 Aims and 13 Priorities in the 2017/18 Corporate Plan update. The Q2 Performance Report includes updates on the relevant National Performance Framework Indicators. See accompanying corporate risk summary report. The resourcing and staffing implications are covered by the report. Implications: Report Author(s): Sponsor: Appendices: SNH is largely on track to deliver the Corporate Priorities set out in the Corporate Plan update, though there is likely to be slippage of some lower priority work Programme Office and Portfolio Managers Jane Macdonald &Alan Hampson n/a

2 Purpose 1. This paper presents SNH s performance for the second quarter of 2017/18. It addresses progress towards achieving the priorities set out in the 2017/18 Corporate Plan refresh. Summary 2. We have made a positive start to the first half of the year. Progress on 10 of the 13 Corporate Plan Priorities and 83% of the Business Plan Key Deliverables are rated Green. Significant achievements during Q2 are highlighted in the following paragraphs. Achievements 3. Over 96% of actions supporting the SBS Routemap are on target for delivery by 2020 as reported in the 2 nd annual report on Route Map to 2020 progress which has been submitted to Scottish Government. This quarter we delivered the suite of 13 Ecosystem Health Indicators 6 months ahead of schedule; and published the Habitat map of Scotland (HaBMOS). Both were formally launched at the Royal Society of Edinburgh Spotlight on Scotland s Biodiversity conference in October. 4. Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) funding has been secured for two strategic partnership projects to tackle Invasive Non-native Species. This area of work will also contribute to work planned under the SBS Route Map. 5. The European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) project Engaging the Fishing Industry in Marine Environmental Survey and Monitoring has delivered its first set of industry results. The project runs until June 2020 and supports our work on monitoring the health of the marine environment. 6. Effective partnership working with Police Scotland to strengthen deterrents to reduce wildlife crime resulted in the imposition of a further two General License restrictions. 7. We licensed Scottish Beaver s plans for reinforcement of the Knapdale beaver population. We also responded to the presence of unlawfully introduced beavers in the Beauly catchment by commencing a live-capture programme, with a view to their translocation to Knapdale subject to the requisite suitability screening. 8. The PeatlandACTION project has received over 50 new applications in the run up to closure of the application window. Together with a small number of carried over projects, these are expected to deliver approaching 6500ha (85%) towards the target of 8000ha. With a further 20,000ha of potential future demand subject to feasibility studies underway, this is seen as providing SG with some confidence that longer term targets are deliverable with sustained investment. The 10 project officers (including 6 employed by partners) have provided wide national coverage. 9. The National Walking & Cycling Network (NWCN) Baseline Monitoring Report has been published. It estimates that 9 million trips occurred on the network during 2016 generating some 85 million of expenditure in the local economy. There is strong evidence that the network helps support physical activity and sustainable travel choices. 10. The first of our Green Infrastructure Fund (GIF) contracts has been signed by Aberdeen City Council and work has begun on the Middlefield site. Three contracts have been issued to Round 1 Green Infrastructure Community Engagement Fund Page 1

3 Page 2 SNH: 4-11/17 (GICEF) projects. SNH helped facilitate development of the Central Scotland Green Network (CSGN) led Pride of Clyde HLF application to develop a network of greenspace connecting communities of the Clyde Inner Estuary. 11. We received a General Teaching Council for Scotland excellence award for our Teaching in Nature (TiN) programme, reinforcing the benefits that outdoor experiences can bring to young people s learning. 12. Our annual accounts for 2016/17 received an unqualified audit report from Audit Scotland during the quarter. The accompanying Annual Report & Accounts was also successfully completed and submitted to the Cabinet Secretary. Emerging Issues & Opportunities 13. There has been a noticeable increase in the resource pressures reported this quarter, with impacts on several key areas of work including protected areas monitoring, licensing, development planning, communications, HR casework and information systems and management. Support for the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) programme is also requiring a disproportionate effort in staff resources as a result of central (non-snh) IT issues which has taken operational staff away from other areas of work. 14. To manage these issues we continue to re-prioritise, deploy our resources flexibly and to bring in additional short term capacity where affordable to do so. The position is being closely monitored to make sure that emerging impacts on performance are quickly recognised and addressed. Ensuring delivery of our highest priority work e.g. SRDP, is likely to result in some areas of lower priority work being reprioritised and placed on hold during Q3 15. We have maintained progress on strengthening the profile of our communications through a number of quick wins and other achievements (see para 43 for further details), while also working hard on the restructuring of the Communications Unit as a major step in the implementation of the recent Communications Review. Q3 will see a period of further transition towards realising the anticipated benefits from these substantial changes. 16. Scottish Government (SG) has confirmed that Phase 1 of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) programme will be extended. This will enable us to allocate the remaining Green Infrastructure Fund (GIF) budget of 1.3m. SG has also confirmed that there will be a second phase of the ERDF programme. 17. Next quarter will see the launch of 3 Green Health Partnerships covering Lanarkshire, Dundee, North Ayrshire and Highland. These will help to deliver the outcomes sought in the Local Outcome Improvement Plans and will promote opportunities to improve health and wellbeing through outdoor activity in local greenspace. Forthcoming Publicity Highlights 18. RSPB Nature of Scotland Awards we are providing sponsorship for this event which is taking place on the 23 rd Nov. In addition, we have provided almost 1m worth of support for nine of the projects short-listed for an award at the event, including the Seven Lochs Wetland Park Project which was highlighted in our recent Annual Report. 19. Lowland Deer Management Parliament Event A parliamentary event is due to be held on the 29 th Nov in the Scottish Parliament. This will provide us with an opportunity to raise the profile of deer management in the lowlands. Attendance is

4 focussed on MSPs with urban constituencies and from the ECCLR committee as well as representatives from local authorities and lowland deer groups. 20. SNH Annual Report & Accounts - It is anticipated that our 2016/17 Report which was completed in the summer will receive clearance from Parliament allowing us to publish it on our website. The report highlights the range of work we undertook last year in safeguarding and promoting the natural heritage. 21. A number of research reports are due to be published over the coming months including one looking at a methodology for counting hares. This will enable more accurate population estimates thereby helping to inform their subsequent management including decision making on licence applications (due January 2018). New arrangements for clearance of commissioned reports are being introduced in Q3 to quality assure messaging and publicity. Page 3

5 Performance Dashboard Quarter /18 Lead Scottish Biodiversity Strategy Promote Sustainable Economic Growth Address Climate Change Improve Health and Address Inequalities Deliver a High Quality Public Service 1 Page 4 Key Blue Completed Green On track Quarterly Progress SNH: 4-11/17 Amber Minor slippage or not progressing as expected Red Major slippage or weak performance Activity Key Deliverables Corporate Plan Priorities Blue Green Amber Red Driving forward the 6 Big Steps for Nature and 12 Priority Projects under the Scottish Biodiversity RouteMap Improving the condition of protected sites for nature on 400 landholdings across Scotland Contributing to government s vision of clean, healthy, safe, productive and diverse seas, including a network of well-managed Marine Protected Areas covering approximately 20% of Scotland s seas. Ensuring that the impacts of deer on the natural environment, notably in uplands and woodlands, are well managed by working with partners and stakeholders. Enabling good development in the right place, by providing guidance and advice on over 100 development plan consultations and about 600 planning applications, including renewable energy schemes. Enabling 20m-worth of environmental benefits in agriculture and rural development by supporting the Scottish Rural Development Programme, in particular through the Agri- Environment Climate scheme. Leading global-scale investment through the National Peatland Plan to restore 10,000ha of peatlands. Promoting walking, cycling and better health by continuing creation of the 8000km National Walking and Cycling Network, with the improvement and building of 120km of route. Creating better places for some of Scotland s most deprived communities with 2.4m worth of Green Infrastructure projects. Improving the health and wellbeing of 120,000 people through the Natural Health Service Action Programme. Creating opportunities for communities to co-manage or to own 6000 ha of our National Nature Reserves so local people can become more involved and benefit more directly. Supporting 80 schools in deprived areas to get pupils learning outdoors in good quality greenspace regularly and frequently. Releasing more resources for nature by continuing to work efficiently, sharing our information, assets and infrastructure Risks Corporate: High 1 Medium 3 Activity: Very High 0 High - 1 Corporate: High 1 Medium 1 Activity: Very High 0 High - 0 Corporate: High 0 Medium 0 Activity: Very High 0 High - 0 Corporate: High 0 Medium 1 Activity: Very High 0 High - 1 Corporate: High 3 Medium 8 Activity: Very High 0 High - 7

6 Lead the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy 1. Driving forward the 6 Big Steps for Nature and 12 Priority Projects under the Scottish Biodiversity Route Map. 2. Improving the condition of protected sites for nature on 400 landholdings across Scotland. 3. Contributing to government s vision of clean, healthy, safe, productive and diverse seas, including a network of well-managed Marine Protected Areas covering approximately 20% of Scotland s seas. 4. Ensuring that the impacts of deer on the natural environment, notably in uplands and woodlands, are well managed by working with partners and stakeholders. Related National Performance Framework Indicators: Indicator No 48 Improve the condition of Protected Nature Sites 80.1% of sites are currently in favourable condition or improving. This compares to 80.4% at the end of 2015/16 (next update is due in May). Performance is rated as maintaining (less than 1% difference). Indicator No 49 Increase the abundance of Terrestrial Breeding Birds In 2015, the combined figure for terrestrial breeding birds had increased by 2.2% compared with 2014 (next update is due this month - Nov). Performance is rated as maintaining (less than 3% difference). Progress 22. Overall progress related to this aim is rated as Green. This quarter we have delivered the Ecosystem Health Indicators, 6 months ahead of schedule, and published the Habitat map of Scotland (HabMoS). The 2 nd annual progress report on the Route Map to 2020 has been submitted to Scottish Government. It reports that 76 out of 79 actions (underpinning the 12 Priority projects) are expected to be achieved by 2020, with 13 already delivered. Positive management actions are now in place on 133 landholdings. Awards from the current round of SRDP (Agri-Env & Climate Scheme) are expected to deliver the remainder of this priority, but the timing of approvals means that it will be late Q3 or Q4 before these figures can be added to the total. We are confident we will reach the 400 target by the end of the year. Good progress has been made across most areas of work. Of particular note this quarter is the publication of Dynamic Coast (Scotland s Coastal Change Assessment) in August. This is a significant milestone in SNH's contribution to the Scottish Climate Change Adaptation Programme and is already being used by local authorities to support planning decisions. Good early progress has been made with partners to strengthen deer management performance in both upland and lowland contexts. Constructive discussions have been pursued at Assynt, and we have engaged with other Deer Management Groups (DMGs) as part of our more active approach to intervention. In doing so we have focused on the poorer performing DMGs and areas of red-deer range with no existing collaborative structures. Page 5

7 Establishment of a Lowland Deer Panel is progressing well. Its advice should support the wider review to be undertaken by the independent Deer Working Group which we have also supported SG in establishing. The amber rating reflects the breadth of work to be undertaken and the range of partners with whom we need to engage with in relatively short timescales as both we and they seek to scale up capacity when available resources are tight and some funding streams uncertain. Issues & Opportunities 23. Given the importance of SRDP, and in particular Agri-Environment & Climate Scheme (AECS), to the delivery of favourable condition on our protected areas we have actively prioritised resources to deliver this. As a result we have deliberately slowed our Site Condition Monitoring work by adding a risk based element to the programme and focussing on those sites/features more susceptible to change. We will be able to continue reporting against the NPF indicator, although we accept that this approach may put maintenance of the indicator target at or above 80% at risk. We know that NGOs focus on the National Performance Indicator (NPI), though we are already in dialogue with SG to find a more robust and meaningful measure. We are therefore ready to respond positively to any feedback or commentary should the NPI performance change. 24. We are a partner in a cross-border INTERREG bid (EU Co-operation Programme) for Marine Protection Areas Monitoring & Management (MArPAMM). The project is being led by the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute in Northern Ireland. It will support delivery of Regional Marine Plans and support conservation of marine habitats through an 85% intervention rate. The project aligns closely to our existing marine priorities and offers a significant opportunity to resource these key areas of work. The application passed Stage 1 earlier in the year and the stage 2 bid was submitted in September. 25. Following discussions with Marine Scotland (MS) on classification of marine Special Protected Areas (SPAs) we are awaiting a letter requesting additional input from SNH. We understand that this will include reviewing a multi-species approach, adding birds to the priority marine feature list and developing a seabird conservation strategy. This is additional, unplanned work which we will need to accommodate within existing resources. As a result general progress on Marine SPAs is slower than expected. We need to be cognisant of any potential stakeholder response to this, though our main partners in MS and Scottish Government (SG) are fully sighted. 26. A number of other strands of work to better understand and address lowland deer issues are underway, including plans for the Cabinet Secretary to attend a parliamentary event hosted by Linda Fabiani MSP in November (see Forthcoming Publicity Highlights). This will provide an opportunity to raise the profile of these issues among an invited audience of MSPs and Local Authorities and provide insight to ways in which we can most effectively engage with them and support their deer management needs. Page 6

8 Promote Sustainable Economic Growth 5. Enabling good development in the right place, by providing guidance and advice on over 100 development plan consultations and about 600 planning applications, including renewable energy 6. Enabling 20m-worth of environmental benefits in agriculture and rural development by supporting the Scottish Rural Development Programme, in particular through the Agri-Environment Climate scheme. Related National Performance Framework Indicators: Indicator No 50 Increase Natural Capital In 2015, the stock of natural capital was 0.9% higher than in 2000 (baseline year). Performance is rated as maintaining (less than 2% difference). Next update in due in March. Progress 27. Overall progress related to this aim is rated as Green. Our Development Advice Services are all on track. Our performance in meeting the anticipated levels of advice on planning applications remains solid with average end to end response times below statutory timescales and only two outright objections this quarter. We have received positive feedback on our supporting advice for Scotland s new Emergency Services 4G communication network. Working closely with SEPA and HES, we are actively engaging at an early stage in planning for key sections of A9 Dualling. We are working closely with Marine Scotland to make best use of resources at all stages of their licensing process as the Forth-Tay offshore wind re-applications are progressed. We are also meeting statutory response requirements for Development Planning advice, although pressures on capacity mean we are currently unable to fully meet our aspirations to play a more active role and further develop our upstream influencing. We are confident that we will realise the investment of 20m in environmental benefits, with over 250 Agri- environment Climate Scheme applications received with a total potential value of 45.7m. The number and value of contracts awarded will be announced once the assessment, assurance and approvals process has fully run its course. All units report progress as green, with assessment complete by the end of September deadline and QA progressing well. Issues & Opportunities 28. Work is in-hand to refresh and re-launch our Planning Service Statement during Q3 and to initiate more detailed scoping work on cost-recovery as requested by the Board in August. 29. We are actively participating in the development of a new joint online Licensing & Permitting system with SEPA. This is making further demands on capacity but has the potential, together with new approaches to licensing rolled out during Q3, to secure Page 7

9 processing efficiencies that will help minimise delays to development or forestry operations. It will also help alleviate some of the pressures on licensing service performance arising from more novel and potentially contentious cases and associated FoI requests. 30. Administering the Agri-environment Climate Scheme continues to create significant workload pressures for SNH staff. Resource is being drawn away from other areas of work to ensure deadlines and quality standards met. However, there are some excellent examples of cross-unit co-operation to assist with particular bottlenecks. 31. It was announced in parliament on 25 October that the Environmental Co-operative Action Fund (ECAF) element of SRDP will now no longer be re-launched. Government and agencies will instead seek to deliver similar objectives through enhancements to other schemes/programmes. We and partner-agency staff are personally contacting all applicants expecting contracts from the initial funding round, to explain this disappointing news. Potential enhancements to the Agri-Environment & Climate Scheme are being explored to further support collaborative approaches in the 2018 round. Nevertheless, we acknowledge that none of these schemes could provide support at the level that was built into ECAF. Decisions about the reallocation of the ECAF funding will be taken as part of future budget rounds. Scottish Government stresses its commitment to supporting and encouraging landscape-scale environmental management. 32. The Goose Policy Review that we are undertaking, with input from external reviewers, for SG is on track to be finalised by the end of the year. There has been a small delay offering management scheme agreements for the coming winter owing to the need to resolve incompatibility issues with a relatively small number of SRDP scheme agreements. We have an agreed process in place for dealing with these with RPID, and are taking a number of other steps, including communications with scheme participants and updating scheme guidance to mitigate associated risks. There is increasing political profile of the growing disquiet among agricultural interests, particularly in island communities affected either by Barnacle Goose impacts outside existing scheme areas, or those in transition to self-help the management of resident Greylag geese. There has been senior leadership engagement at both local and parliamentary level, demonstrating SNH s attention to the issue and willingness to help identify workable solutions. Page 8

10 Address Climate Change 7. Leading global-scale investment through the National Peatland Plan to restore 10,000ha of peatlands. 8. Promoting walking, cycling and better health by continuing creation of the 8000km National Walking and Cycling Network, with the improvement and building of 120km of route. Related National Performance Framework Indicators: Indicator No 52 Reduce Scotland s Carbon Footprint In 2013 (latest stats) Scotland s carbon footprint was 94.8m tonnes of CO 2 equivalent. This is 3.5% higher than the 2012 figures. Performance is declining (more than 3%). Our own contribution for 2016/17 (in energy consumption and travel use) is very positive, achieving a decrease of 8% of CO 2 in comparison with 2015/16. Progress 33. Overall progress related to this aim is rated as Green. SNH s main contribution to the overall target of 10,000 ha is through the 8,000 ha restoration target for the PeatlandACTION project. From almost a standing start, and with the application window shortly coming to a close, progress on this has been highly encouraging and is expected to approach ca. 6500ha (85%) towards its target, with a further 20,000ha of potential future demand subject to feasibility studies underway. Risks to delivery remain in the short and seasonal timeframe available. Delivery of the overall Climate Change Plan target rests on progress with the remaining 2000ha. This is dependent on the outcomes of the recent AECS application round for which 34 relevant applications were received. The area covered by those that are successful will not be known until during Q3. The amber rating reflects all these factors. Work has commenced to improve and build 115km of route, including a new link from Crook of Devon to Kinross, and improvements to the Clyde Coastal Path, the Dava Way and the West Highland Way. There is further activity on path scoping, design and development which will lead to additional path build and improvements beginning in Q3 ensuring the 120km target for 2017/18 is met. Issues & Opportunities 34. Despite good progress, the PeatlandACTION project remains at amber. This reflects the challenges referred to above. Full recovery is not expected, and we anticipate a budget return reflecting this during Q3. Nevertheless the modest shortfall on target and forecast out-turn are regarded as representing considerable achievements in the circumstances. Taken together with the indication of a strong demand pipeline in the area subject to feasibility studies, they are seen as providing confidence to support further significant investment. 35. Feasibility and design work is progressing well on several sections of the National Walking and Cycling Network and there is opportunity for these to progress to implementation this year should funding become available. This would enable this Page 9

11 year s target of 120km to be exceeded and help increase delivery towards the 2020 interim target for improvement and building of 875km of new route. Page 10

12 Improve Health and Address Inequalities 9. Creating better places for some of Scotland s most deprived communities with 2.4m worth of Green Infrastructure projects 10. Improve health and wellbeing of 120,000 people through the Natural Health Service Action Programme 11. Creating opportunities for communities to co-manage or to own 6000 ha of our National Nature Reserves so local people can become more involved and benefit more directly. 12. Supporting 80 schools in deprived areas to get pupils learning outdoors in good quality greenspace regularly and frequently. Related National Performance Framework Indicators: Indicator No 46 Improve access to local greenspace In 2016, 65.4% of adults lived within a 5 minute walk of their nearest greenspace in comparison with 67.2% in Performance is rated as maintaining (less than 2% difference). Indicator No 47 Increase weekly visits to the outdoors by target groups In 2016, 48.5% of adults visited the outdoors once a week in comparison with 48.6% in Performance is rated as maintaining (less than 2% difference). Progress 36. Overall progress related to this aim is rated as Green. The first Green Infrastructure Fund (GIF) contract has been signed by Aberdeen City Council and ground work is now underway on their 1.5m Middlefield project. Three contracts have also been issued to Round 1 Green Infrastructure Community Engagement Fund (GICEF) projects. Two further projects are due to get underway in Glasgow during Q3 which will bring us on track to progress 2.4m worth of Green Infrastructure projects. We are on track to deliver this priority through establishment of 4 Local Green Health Partnerships in North Ayrshire, Highland, Lanarkshire and Dundee. These will help deliver the health outcomes sought in Local Outcome Improvement Plans by promoting opportunities to improve health and wellbeing through outdoor activity in local greenspace. We are in negotiation with communities over co-management or ownership of 3 sites covering some 2250ha. Delivery of this priority will require additional dedicated resource during Q3 to following up on the opportunities identified, hence the amber rating. Delivery of this priority is well on track with 52 schools in West Dunbartonshire; East Ayrshire, West Lothian and Fife now signed up to the project and engaged with project officers over using green space for outdoor learning. Initial contact was made with further schools during the quarter. An online resource Beyond Your Boundary has been published to support this work. 11

13 Issues & Opportunities 37. Scottish Government (SG) has confirmed that there will be an extension to delivery deadlines of Phase 1 of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) programme. This will allow us to allocate our remaining Green Infrastructure Fund (GIF) budget of 1.3m to additional outputs from existing projects, and to run a second round of the GICEF, using the remaining budget of around 250k. We plan to open both to applications in early SG has confirmed that there will be a second phase of the ERDF programme. An options paper will be prepared for consideration by the Board in early 2018 regarding future delivery of the GIF. The main implications for SNH are continuing annual staff costs of around 250k, and the risk around compliance. Our communication plan is being updated and communications resources are being improved to include an infographic demonstrating the concept and benefits of green infrastructure. We have begun working with Muckle Media to identify upcoming PR opportunities, which will include a media launch of GIF sites where work is planned to start in early October. 39. SNH will be joining the Year of Young People 2018 Co-Design Expert Group. This provides a platform for collaboration to ensure the aims and objectives of the Year are realised. 40. Our work to creating opportunities for communities to co-manage or to own 6000ha of our National Nature Reserves will require significantly more staff resource to enable us to follow up on opportunities for further community engagement. This pressure for additional staff time will need to be considered in light of other pressures. Delivery of our commitments under the SRDP is being given higher priority than work on NNRs, and as a result it is likely that this work will slip as a consequence. 12

14 Delivering a High Quality Public Service 13. Releasing more resources for nature by continuing to work efficiently, sharing our information, assets and infrastructure Indicators of progress i. Transforming Workplaces Improvement Programme ii. Workforce Planning Improvement Programme iii. Information Management Improvement Programme iv. Efficiency Savings v. Complaint Responses vi. FOI Responses Progress 41. Overall progress related to this aim is rated as Green. The recent co-location of Visit Scotland to GGH in July was very successful. Transforming Workplaces Programme has achieved a total reduction in property costs this corporate plan period of 350k per annum, recurring. There are further reductions in IS and office services costs. Three units in GGH have now adopted smarter working, including desk sharing with positive early feedback. Whilst good progress has been made with a number of areas of Workforce Planning, two areas of work, talent management and HR systems development, continue to show some slippage due to resource pressures and delays in a related IT project. Overall progress is assessed at Amber. Whilst good progress is being made with the Information Management (IM) Programme there are some concerns around our ability to resource some of this work. Overall progress therefore remains at Amber. Investigations are taking place to look at possible internal redeployments and external contractor support. We are on track to make the necessary 3% efficiency savings with a forecast of 1.243m (2.6%) already identified for the year to date. 91% of complaint cases were resolved within statutory deadlines during the quarter. We issued 23 FOI/EIR responses in the last reported quarter and all were within standard. 13

15 Issues & Opportunities 42. The initial draft of our Corporate Plan is well aligned with the new Programme for Government which was announced during quarter 2. This provides clear opportunities for SNH to contribute to Scottish Government s ambition for Scotland. A final draft of the Corporate Plan will be presented to the Board for approval in November. The positive response from the Board to the September draft has allowed development of the related 2018/19 Business Plan to commence. 43. We are actively working with a community based group who have indicated that they want Kinloch Castle transferred to them under Community Empowerment legislation. We are providing them with information and advice to assist them in developing their business case and formal asset transfer request. 44. A new version of our website is now live and running alongside our old site whilst final testing is completed. It is anticipated that the new live site will be fully operational by November. The celebration of SNH s 25 th anniversary provided us with the opportunity to promote our work, and the new programme of monthly themed communications has also allowed us to increase our public profile. A new risk has been raised to manage the threats to successfully achieving the outcomes of our communications strategy. It is included in the accompanying Corporate Risk Report. Q3 will see a further strengthening of controls on this as transition towards the substantial changes under the Communications Review takes place. 14