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Item 2

AT A MEETING of the SIR GEORGE STAUNTON COUNTRY PARK JOINT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE held at the Sir George Staunton Country Park, Havant on 2 December 2004.

PRESENT :

Hampshire County Council

Councillors E. F. Gale ( Chairman ); Mrs. E. Steel.

East Havant District Council

Councillor Mrs. D.K. Denston

28 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members were mindful that, where they believed that 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

regard 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. Any declaration to be made at the time of the debate.

29 COUNCILLOR W. H. WHEELER

The meeting stood in silence to the memory of the late Councillor W. H. Wheeler, who had been a member of the J.M.C.

30 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 16 July 2004 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

31 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

There were none.

32 DEPUTATIONS

There were none.

33 MINUTES OF THE STAKEHOLDER FORUM

The Committee received and noted the Minutes of the Stakeholder Forum held on 29 October 2004

Arising thereon :


The Head of the Countryside Service stressed the importance of Portsmouth Water Company's participation in the Country Park, and Members requested that Mr. Neve be invited to make a presentation on Havant Thicket Winter Storage Reservoir at the next meeting of the JMC.

34 PARK MANAGER'S REPORT

The Committee considered the report of the Park Manager ( Item 5 in the Minute Book ) updating on development at the Country Park since July 2004.

The Park Manager reported that the restoration of the Ornamental Farm was

now complete and had been handed back to the Park. In order to complete the

remaining work within the grounds it would be necessary to spend the

remaining finance by the end of 2005. A final bid to the Heritage Lottery

Fund for works to Leigh Park Gardens was being planned This would need

to be progressed to ensure that finance spent on the acquisition of the Park by the County Council could be taken into consideration as ` matched-funding ` in the bid.

The £12 annual membership facility for residents of the Borough of Havant and East Hampshire District had resulted in a doubling of take up of the scheme. Events held during the year had proved successful including Staunton Live.

The former Beneficial Foundation site had been levelled and proposals were progressing with the Havant Social Services ? for a range of experiences, which would be of assistance to the participants and the Park. Part of the site

was to be used to enhance the view of the beacon, by cutting the trees along the site lines. Councillor Steel requested that thanks be passed to the Park Manager and the Staff of the Park for all of their hard work during the restoration work,

The Park Manager updated on progress with the Lottery Bid, which would include the remaining glasshouses and grounds. Bids would be made for the remaining Follies and the Shell House at a cost of £38,000.

The following management plans were in preparation and would need to be completed by the end of December 2004 in order to be included in the Heritage Lottery Bid valued at £1.2m


· Marketing

· Restoration of buildings

· Landscape

· Business Revenue Generation

· Education / Interpretation

· Annual Business Plan

Resolved :

That the report be noted.

35 BUDGET MONITORING AND REVISED BUDGET 2004/05 AND FORWARD BUDGET 2005/06

The Committee considered the report of the County Treasurer ( Item 7 in the Minute Book ) regarding the budget monitoring and revised budget 2004/05 and revised budget 2005/06.

The Treasurer reported that there would be a £20,000 accumulated deficit for 2004/05. The delay in handing over revenue generating buildings and facilities had a significant detrimental effect on the revenue budget, as income-generating opportunities had been lost, whilst some costs had accrued.

Much hard work remained if the Park were to return to a forecast surplus of £11,000 in 2005. This was based on the return of the buildings and facilities in the pay area and detailed budgets for each distinct area of operation.

Resolved :

(i) That the revised budget for 2004/05 as shown in Appendix A of the report be approved;

(ii) That the partner contributions for 2005/06 as shown in Appendix B of the report be approved;

(iii) That the budget for 2005/06 as shown in Appendices B and C be approved.

36 BUSINESS PLAN

The Committee considered the report of the Park Manager ( Item 8 in the Minute Book ) updating on progress in preparation of the long-term Business Plan for the Country Park.

The success in obtaining Heritage Lottery funding would determine the extent of work possible as set out in the Appendix to the report.

Resolved :

That the report be noted.

37 NOTES OF THE OFFICERS' GROUP HELD ON 8 NOVEMBER 2004

The Notes of the Officer's meeting held on 8 November 2004 were received and noted.

38 CALENDAR OF MEETINGS 2005

Stakeholder Forum

Monday 18 April 2005 and Monday 19 September 2005

Joint Management Committee

Monday 13 June 2005 and Monday 21 November 2005

All meeting will be held at the Country Park and commence at 10.00am

4JM451204