Archived decisions

Item 5

Sir George Staunton Country Park

Stakeholder Forum

DRAFT Minutes of meeting held on

Friday 29th October 2004 at 10.00 am

Present:

Hampshire County Council

Cllr E F Gale (Chairman)

Paul Thomson, Countryside Service Eastern Area Team Leader

East Hampshire District Council

S D'est Hoare

Havant Borough Council

Joy Okwuadigbo, Head of Regeneration

Christine Dier, Tourism Manager

Horndean Parish Council

Cllr Mrs M Walker

Rowlands Castle Parish Council

Cllr G Leonard

Portsmouth Water Ltd

Mr Andy Neve, Technical Director

Havant Day Services

Mr Terry Hart

Sir George Staunton Country Park

Mr Lewis Paterson, Park Manager

1. Apologies:

    Mrs J Parkinson, PC Stockdale, Mr Golden, Cllr Mrs Harvey, Cllr Mrs Foley, Cllr Waddington, Cllr Mrs Byrom, Cllr Mrs Steel, Mr Tickle, Mr Ingram, Mr Gardener,

    Cllr Mrs Denston, Cllr Moss.

2. Havant Thicket Winter Storage Reservoir

    Mr Neve gave a presentation on the future proposal to construct a winter storage reservoir in Havant Thicket. The presentation outlined the background and history to both Portsmouth Water Ltd and the proposed scheme.

    Questions were received from:

    Joy Okwuadigbo (Havant Borough Council) - On how the reservoir proposals fitted with the South East Plan for population growth etc. Andy Neve explained that the outline reservoir proposal would meet these demands in this area.

    Christine Dier ( Havant Borough Council) - Were alternatives considered? Andy Neve outlined that up to 15 options were considered but at the moment the Havant Thicket reservoir represented the most viable option.

    Terry Hart (Havant Day Services) - Would recreational facilities be included in the scheme? Andy Neve responded that recreation would form part of the scheme. Almost certainly including sailing, wind surfing etc but not powered pursuits such as water skiing due to water quality issues.

    Cllr Leonard (Rowlands Castle) - Would the reservoir be solely for local consumption? Andy Neve - primarily but would most likely also need to supply areas further a field during times of peak demand.

    Steven D'este Hoare (East Hants District Council) - In light of historical value of land to be flooded is this project the smallest to achieve the required water yield? Andy Neve - yes 8.7 cu. metres is the optimum scale of the reservoir.

    Joy Okwuadigbo (Havant Borough Council) - If water meters were introduced would there be assistance from Portsmouth Water Ltd for low income families? Andy Neve - possible in extreme circumstances, but unusual.

3. Minutes of Stakeholder Forum 30 April 2004

    The Minutes were agreed as a correct record, with the addition of the following and signed by the chairman;

    - Havant District Council should read Havant Borough Council on Page 1.

4. Minutes of the Joint Management Committee of 16th July 2004

    These Minutes were noted.

    5. Park Managers Update

    The forum considered the report of the Park Manger ( Item 4 ). The Park Manager reported on the previous season visitor figures, despite disruption room restoration works figures were healthy - showing an 8% increase on the previous year. An update on other areas of the Park was given including the return of the Ornamental Farm buildings into use, the renovation of the Children's Paddock and the continued popularity of the Walled Garden and Amazon Lily. Due to funding issues within the Woodland Grant Scheme it was reported that theses works had now been deferred to the next financial year. Conservation grazing Scheme funding has however been secured and work will be undertaken this winter in conjunction with Raleigh Volunteers.

    The Ornamental Lake had been restocked with Mirror Carp ranging from 2-4pounds to improve the fishery. It was reported that membership to the Park continued to grow, and was now in the region of 1,700. Events have proved popular this year and have included a free community music event for the first time, Staunton Live! This event was supported by Hampshire County Council and Havant Borough Council. Due to delays in the restoration it was not possible to reopen the Tea rooms until July and the remaining Farm Buildings until September. Although this was a disappointment, demand for the tea rooms and conference/education facilities has been encouraging since they have opened. It was also reported that Sir George Staunton Country Park and Portsmouth Water Ltd were finalising details of an educational partnership at Staunton.

    A suggestion was received from Terry Hart (Havant Day Services) regarding possible promotion of Angling through TIC's. It was agreed that this was possible however ticket sales were best undertaken at the Park and through Angling Shops. It was also suggested that communicating the discounted annual membership scheme should be undertaken more thoroughly within the local area. It was agreed that this should be done in conjunction with East Hampshire District Council and Havant Borough Council.

    Resolved : That the report be noted.

6. Financial update

    The Park Manager gave a brief verbal update on the financial position at the Park. Due to delays to the restoration of buildings and fit out costs for catering and conferencing in particular, this years outturn is expected to be poor. A more detailed financial statement would be presented to the Joint Management Committee on 2 December 2004.

7. Items for future consideration

    To look at local & regional marketing of Staunton with partners in Havant Borough Council and East Hampshire District Council as well as Hampshire County Council.

8. Date of Next Meeting

    Dates will be presented at the next Joint Management Committee meeting on 2nd December 2004, and circulated thereafter.