National Park may become a charity in face of cuts

Officers say the scheme, if approved by members, would allow it to tap into resources that current rules do not allow the North York Moors Park Authority to benefit from such as charitable funding and it would be able to invite donations and seek sponsorship.

It would be independently run by trustees, would not be involved in policy or campaigning work and would aim to support efforts across the national park.

Earlier this year park bosses admitted they can conserve some of Europe’s finest moorlands only by relying on the kindness of volunteers.

The park’s chief executive Andy Wilson said it was “inevitable” that public spending cuts, which by next year will have amounted to a 40 per cent reduction in the authority’s budget since 2010, will affect frontline services. He said he hoped people would be willing to carry out conservation work without pay.

Yesterday, Michael Graham, the park’s assistant director of park services, said of the charitable trust scheme: “I think it’s probably fair to say where our operations are being restricted because of funding this could look at delivering great benefit to the area and I think that there’s a great desire among our members and officers to do that.”

Members of the authority will be asked to back drawing up more detailed plans and to approach the Charity Commission when members meet on Monday.