Item 2

AT A MEETING of the SIR GEORGE STAUNTON COUNTRY PARK JOINT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE held in Committee Room 1, Havant Borough Council, Havant on Friday, 5 December, 2003.

PRESENT:

Hampshire County Council

Councillor E.F. Gale (Chairman); Mrs. E.M. Byrom; W.H. Wheeler.

East Hampshire District Council

Councillor D.W. Clegg.

Also in attendance: Councillor J. Waddington.

12 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members were mindful that, where they believed they had a personal or personal prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting, they should, normally at the time of the debate declare their interest, and having regards to the circumstances described in paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the County Council's Code of Conduct, consider whether to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed.

13 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 23 July 2003 were agreed as a correct record with the addition of the following and signed by the Chairman.

Minute 8 - Final Accounts 2002/03 and Draft Budget 2003/04

Paragraph 2, line 3 is the County Council had contributed £113,000...

14 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

Councillor Gale reported that he had spoken at a dinner of the Rowlands Castle Conservative Association at the invitation of Mrs Byrom. He had taken the opportunity to publicise the work of the Park and the County Council. He had also spoken to 140 children at Staunton Park School about the role of the Councillor and about the Country Park.

15 DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations.

16 STAKEHOLDER FORUM

The Committee received and noted the Minutes of the Inaugural Meeting of the Stakeholder Forum held on 24 October 2003. Attention was drawn to the draft Mission Statement where it was felt in the third paragraph, second line, to be more appropriate to speak of human demands on the environment.

Reference was made to the suggestion at the Stakeholders Forum that further representatives be appointed and the following names were suggested, or put forward:

Mr. Terry Hart, Social Services Department and a representative from the local Police Force at Rowlands Castle were included in the suggestions.

17 PARK MANAGER'S REPORT

The JMC discussed the report of the Park Manager (Item 6 in the Minute Book) updating on progress in the Park. Visitor figures had indicated a slight downturn of 2.5% when compared to those of 2002. This was attributed to the exceptionally hot weather during the summer, which traditionally drew visitors to coastal locations.

Incorrect information recently published in press articles about the Park had suggested its imminent closure. Although this information had been inaccurate, further publicity correcting the detail had appeared to boost visitor numbers to the Park. The Prince's Trust had been involved recently reinstating pathways in the woodland areas at the Park. The walled garden and glass houses had proved a popular attraction and the 150^th Year celebrating the Amazon Waterlily being cultivated at the Park had proved extremely popular. The celebrations had attracted many leading figures to the Park, including the Director of Kew Gardens, the Director of the Eden Project and Charlie Dimmock, TV horticulturalist. The recently opened sensory garden was now proving popular with visitors. The Park had successfully hosted an end of summer ball for local company, Proctor and Gamble. Further corporate events were to be encouraged.

The building works associated with the Ornamental Farm Restoration, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund had commenced on Monday, 21 October 2003. The two stages of the project had been rolled into one, and completion was anticipated on the 1^st March 2004, a meeting would take place with the Heritage Lottery Fund personnel shortly in connection with the next phase of the restoration project and associated funds.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

18 BUDGET MONITORING 2003/04 AND DRAFT FORWARD BUDGET 2004/05

The Committee considered the report of the County Treasurer (Item 7 in the Minute Book) on the financial situation facing the Park, monitoring against the current year's budget 2003/04 and a draft forward budget for the next year (2004/05).

The situation since the last meeting of the JMC was outlined, including positive responses from the three partner authorities who had promised the following financial support:

(i) Havant Borough Council - £5,000 as a contribution to the matched funding for the lottery scheme;


(ii) £55,000 from the County Council; and


(iii) A pledge of £1,100 from East Hampshire District Council


This would put the Park's funding on a much sounder footing. Despite a drop in income, the budget forecast for 2003/04 was within £34 of the estimate. It should be possible for the Park to make a small profit if the Christmas season were busy and there was a dry Spring in 2004. The figures indicated that expenditure was forecast to be £26,600 over budget, and the income forecast to be £16,100 below the budget resulting in a shortfall of £42,700. The County Treasurer would write to the partner authorities regarding the inflationary increase in partner contributions of 2.5% for 2004/05.

The suggestion that Clanfield Parish Council be invited to join the Stakeholders Forum was supported by Councillor Wheeler. Officers were requested to consider this proposal.

RESOLVED:


(a) That the financial position be noted.


(b) That the financial strategy as outlined in paragraph 4, and particular the targets set out in paragraph 4.4 be adopted in principle.


(c) That the partner contributions for 2004/05, as shown in Appendix B be approved.

19 PARK VISION STATEMENT AND OBJECTIVES

The Committee considered the report of the Park Manager (Item 8 in the Minute Book) regarding the vision and objectives for the Sir George Staunton Country Park. A draft Vision Statement and Objectives had been devised to guide the future development of the Park. The site encompassed a diverse and wide variety of features, ranging in significance from local to national. It was, therefore, felt that whilst endeavouring to support the aims and objectives of all its partner organisations, the Sir George Staunton Country Park should have an overarching vision and series of outline management objectives which covered the following broad headings:-

Business; recreation; environmental and ecological; heritage; educational.

The Head of the County Council's Countryside Service commented on the importance of an approved Vision Statement and clearly stated objectives when applying to the Heritage Lottery Fund for financial support.

RESOLVED:

That the Joint Management Committee adopt the Park Vision Statement and Objectives as outlined in the report.

20 NOTES OF THE OFFICERS GROUP HELD ON 17 NOVEMBER, 2003

The Joint Management Committee received and noted the notes of the Officers Group held on 17 November, 2003 and supported that suggestion of inviting representatives of Portsmouth Water Company Hampshire and the Gardens Trust to join the Group.

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