Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Recreation and Heritage Item 13

20 January 2005

Heritage Lottery Fund Application for Sir George Staunton Country Park, Havant

Report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage

Contact: John Tickle ext. 6000 e-mail: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decisions are sought in relation to the Heritage Lottery Fund application at Staunton Country Park:

i) To fully support the Stage 1 Application process currently underway with the Heritage Lottery Fund.

ii) To confirm Hampshire County Council's formal and ongoing commitment to this bid and its position as the organisation's priority bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund for the financial year.

iii) Subject to the final response of the Heritage Lottery Fund, and within the financial parameters set out in this report, to confirm the willingness of the County Council to fulfil the normal contractual obligations associated with a successful bid.

2. Reason

2.1 This report seeks the full support and endorsement of the Executive Member for a further bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund for improvements at Staunton Country Park. The bid would utilise the sunk costs of acquisition as match funding towards a £2.0 million investment in the site.

2.2 To further develop facilities at Staunton Country Park by fully utilising previous investment and in direct support of the Corporate Strategy in terms of stewardship of the environment (Aim 2), maximising life opportunities (Aim 1) and supporting economic prosperity (Aim 3).

3. Other options considered and rejected.

- that no bid should be made - this was rejected on the basis that the match funding opportunity offered by the sunk costs of acquisition would be lost and an investment opportunity missed.

- that any bid should be deferred - this was rejected on the same grounds (the purchase costs are eligible for on 12 calendar months from acquisition).

- that a reduced bid be made - this was rejected as a reduced scheme was not seen as viable or likely to succeed.

- that an increased bid be made - this was rejected due to the match funding implications.

4. Conflicts of interest declared by the decision maker or other Executive Member consulted.

None.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee

Not applicable.

6. Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent.

Not applicable.

Approved by: (signature) Date: (date of decision)

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Councillor J Waddington