ITEM 1

AT A MEETING OF THE SIR GEORGE STAUNTON COUNTRY PARK JOINT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE held in Committee Room One, Havant Borough Council, Havant on 8 November 2001.

PRESENT:

Hampshire County Council

Councillors: E F Gale; I F E Beagley

East Hampshire District Council

Councillors: D W Clegg; Mrs D K Denston

Havant Borough Council

Councillors W Blackett; K Moss

Portsmouth City Council

Councillor F Warner

Hampshire Gardens Trust

Mrs G Drummond

Portsmouth Water Company

A Neve

Rowlands Castle Parish Council

Councillor P D Desmond

1 APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN

RESOLVED:

That Councillor E F Gale (Hampshire County Council) be appointed Chairman for the ensuing year.

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COUNCILLOR E F GALE IN THE CHAIR

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2 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 16 March 2001 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

3 APPOINTMENT OF VICE-CHAIRMAN AND DEPUTY VICE-CHAIRMAN

RESOLVED:

That Councillor W Blackett (Havant Borough Council) be appointed Vice Chairman and Councillor F Warner (Portsmouth City Council) be appointed Deputy Vice-Chairman for the ensuing year.

4 CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT

The Chairman reported, with regret, the death of Mr Peter Maunder, former Park Manager at the time of the foundation of Leigh Park Gardens. He had established the Trail and maintained his interest in the Park until recently.

The JMC requested that good wishes be sent to Russell Cleaver who was unwell.

5 PARK MANAGEMENT REPORT

The Joint Management Committee considered the report of the Director, Arts, Countryside and Community (Item 4 in the Minute Book) outlining progress at the country park since March 2001.

Positive progress had been made with the restoration programme and work was underway at the Old Sawmills and on the Terrace site. Following the outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease the Park management had followed the best possible advice received from the Rural Task Force and DEFRA. This was endorsed by Members, who wished their thanks to be conveyed to the staff for their dedication during the difficulties experienced during the year.

Officers were requested to investigate the possibility of obtaining a grant from the Hardship Fund for Agriculture accessible through the NFU and DEFRA which would require evidence that entrance figures had fallen as a result of Foot and Mouth disease. Members accepted that it had not been possible for the County Council to insure against loss of income in order to mitigate the effects of Foot and Mouth disease on the Park's visitor income.

Replacement of the pipework in the Glasshouse had become urgent to avoid endangering the boiler system. Portsmouth Water Company's technical advice and support was greatly appreciated.

The Park had been successful in securing an important new feature - The Golden Jubilee Yew Maze designed by Adrian Fisher and funded by the County Council to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee. Planting would take place in November with a planned opening to the public in June 2002.



RESOLVED:

(a) That the report be noted


(b) That staff be thanked for their dedication during the difficult circumstances of the past year

6 FINAL ACCOUNTS 2000/01

The JMC considered the report of the County Treasurer (Item 5 in the Minute Book) on the final outline position on both revenue and capital for the financial year 2000/01.

Until the occurrence of Foot and Mouth disease, the Country Park had been on course to achieve better than the forecast budget.

Answering questions regarding capital expenditure the Treasurer explained that it would not be possible to make savings without putting the restoration programme at risk, as contracts had been signed with the Heritage Lottery Fund. All the reserves, except the general reserve are required as matching funding for the restoration programme.

RESOLVED:

(a) That the final accounts for 2000/01 be approved.


(b) That the proposed distribution of reserves as set out in paragraph 3.1 of the report, be approved

Historic buildings Repair Revenue 38,000
Folly Bridge Insurance Settlement 4,000
Lottery Bid Partnership Funding 130,000
Terrace Appeal 6,170
General Reserve 22,281
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192,451

7 BUDGET 2001/02 - IMPACT OF FOOT AND MOUTH

The JMC considered the joint report of the County Treasurer and Park Manager (Item 6 in the Minute Book) quantifying the impact of Foot and Mouth disease, and requesting that partner authorities fund the deficit in 2001/02 on a one-off basis according to the formula set out in the Partnership Agreement.

The Treasurer explained the impact of foot and mouth disease on the Park's revenue finances for 2001/02. The Country Park was less reliant on partner authority grants and, consequently, the direct loss of revenue from visitor income of £155,000 was a significant contributor to the income deficit. The Park also incurred additional costs, and the total deficit forecast for the year is £185,400.

The Treasurer had proposed that the deficit be made up by the partner authorities by a one-off payment according to the constitutional formula as follows:-

£
Hampshire County Council 113,094
Havant Borough Council 24,102
East Hampshire District Council 24,102
Portsmouth City Council 24,102
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185,400

Councillor Warner reported that Portsmouth City Council's Planning, Leisure and Economic Development Committee had approved a resolution on 31 October, 2001, that the City Council would completely withdraw funding from March 2002, and was looking to dispose all land with the exception of that around Little Leigh Farm east of the main road.

In the light of this, the JMC agreed to hold a high level Member meeting between the partner authorities to resolve issues relating to the future of the partnership. An officer meeting had been arranged between Hampshire and Portsmouth officers to explore the immediate way forward.

RESOLVED:

That a high level Member meeting be held between partner local authorities comprising:-

Chairman JMC Councillor E. Gale
Councillors W Blackett; K Moss
Leader of Hampshire County Council
Leader of Portsmouth City Council
Leader of Havant Borough Council
Leader of East Hampshire District Council

to discuss the following:-

(a) That a way forward be found to fund the deficit of £185,400 for 2001/02.


(b) Withdrawal of Portsmouth City Council funding.


(c) Disposal of land by Portsmouth City Council known as the red land and following areas of BLUE land (Great Copse, Wakeford Copse and Cabbage Field Row Copse identified on plans LS 287-04-01 appended to the report to the City Council's Planning Leisure and Economic Development Committee, 31 October 2001.

8 FORWARD BUDGET 2002/03

The JMC deferred consideration of the report of the County Treasurer (Item 7 in the Minute Book) seeking agreement to the revenue budget and capital contributions for 2002/03 budget for 2002 (to be funded by partner authorities).

9 BUSINESS MANAGEMENT PLAN

The JMC considered the report of the Director, Arts, Countryside and Community (Item 8 in the Minute Book) looking at the Park's operation during the current year 2001/02 setting out detailed targets for 2002/03 and making forward projection for the years 2003 to 2006.

Objectives a + b in the current financial year had been largely deferred and had been added to the key challenges/objectives for 2002/03. The restoration of the Park was expected to increase visitor figures in addition to a hoped for rapid return of regular visitors.

RESOLVED:

That the Business Management Plan for 2002/03 be approved.

10 HERITAGE LOTTERY FUND RESTORATION PROGRAMME

The JMC considered the report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 9 in the Minute Book) outlining progress with the restoration scheme which was in progress. Project review meetings were taking place with the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to monitor the project. Progress reports would be used as the basis of future updates to the JMC.

Applications hade been made to the HLF for education grant to fund a part time post. Mrs Drummond advised that the process could be speeded up by informing the Heritage Lottery Fund of target dates for introduction of the Scheme within the academic year.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

11 NOTES OF THE STAUNTON OFFICERS GROUP MEETINGS HELD ON 25 JUNE AND 20 SEPTEMBER 2001

The Joint Management Committee received and approved the notes of the Officer's Group meetings held on 25 June and 20 September 2001 (Items 10a and 10b in the Minute Book).

12 DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Monday 28 January, 2002.

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