Archived decisions

THE SIR GEORGE STAUNTON COUNTRY PARK, HAVANT AND THE RED HOUSE MUSEUM, CHRISTCHURCH

1. The Executive Member has recently considered a report which addressed outstanding issues in respect of the Sir George Staunton Country Park, Havant and the Red House Museum, Christchurch where the County Council has entered into joint arrangements with district councils.

2. In respect of the former the Chief Executive and the Director of Recreation and Heritage have entered into discussions with partner authorities and stakeholders to agree revised joint arrangements for the management of the Park. East Hampshire District Council and Havant Borough Council are the partner authorities in this case and East Hampshire has decided to support the proposed arrangements which would entail, inter alia, a financial contribution of £5,000 per year but being index linked in future years starting from 2003-2004. Havant Borough has decided to reduce its annual revenue contribution from £30,500 to £10,500. East Hampshire District Council also suggested that Horndean Parish Council has a representative on the stakeholder forum subject to an annual revenue contribution of £500, this being the same as the basis on which Rowlands Castle Parish Council participate.

3. In the light of the above the Executive Member has approved the appointment of five County Councillors to serve on the newly established joint management committee, an increase in the County Council's revenue contribution by £20,000 per annum to make up for the reduction in funding by Havant Borough Council, a reduction in Havant Borough Council's representation on the Committee from two to one and the issuing of an invitation to Horndean Parish Council to nominate a representative to join the stakeholder forum.

4. As regards the Red House Museum the opportunity to appoint local county councillors who are not members of the Executive has been unavailable since the introduction of executive arrangements by the County Council due to the Museum being situated outside the administrative boundary of Hampshire. This has restricted the County Council's ability to be fully represented at all meetings of the relevant joint committee.

5. In order to overcome this problem it is proposed to amend the existing joint management agreement for the Museum to make it clear that the Committee's functions in respect of the collection of items for display at the museum extend over an area which includes small parishes lying within the County of Hampshire. The amendment would make specific reference to the area served including areas within the Hampshire County Council electoral divisions of New Milton, Milford and Hordle and Ringwood. This amendment would enable the County Council to consider appointing as its representatives County Councillors representing those areas.

6. The Executive Member has accordingly approved the appointment of Councillors Rice and Mrs. Banks to serve on the joint management committee.

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