Archived decisions

Item 11

STAUNTON PARK OFFICERS' GROUP

Notes of a meeting of the Staunton Park Officers' Group held on 2 June 2005

Present:

Bevis Ingram - Hampshire County Council (In the Chair)

Stephen D'Este-Hoare - East Hampshire District Council

Lewis Paterson - Park Manager

Roger Sherlock - Havant Borough Council

Ian Limb - Portsmouth Water Ltd

1 MINUTES

    The minutes of the meeting held on 8 November 2004 were agreed as a correct record.

2 MATTERS ARISING

    (4) Stakeholders Forum

      The Group considered options for encouraging local people to become involved with the Stakeholders' Forum.

      It was considered that, in addition to the two additional members already provided for in the Forum's constitution (representing Havant Day Services and Hampshire Constabulary) it would be of benefit to the Forum for representatives of local volunteer groups and community associations be invited to attend meetings as observers, who would contribute to debate, but would not have voting rights. Such persons would be invited to attend at the Chairman's invitation.

      Mr. Paterson would, after consultation with the Chairman, extend such invitations.

3 JOINT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

    The minutes of the Joint Management Committee (JMC) meeting held on 2 December 2004 were noted.

    It was agreed that the Restoration of Leigh Park Gardens be included in the agenda for the JMC meeting on 13 June 2005 as a separate item and that, following the meeting, members be given an opportunity to tour the Park.

4 STAKEHOLDERS' FORUM

    The minutes of the Stakeholders' Forum meeting held on 18 April 2005 were noted.

    Mr Paterson gave an update on the present position with regard to the current bid for funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) (minute 6 refers). Discussions with HLF were ongoing and it was expected that the Park would submit a revised application towards November 2005.

    Mr Paterson also referred to the Park's recent application for Green Flag quality accreditation. Judging had taken place on 27 May and the results were expected on 28 July (minute 7 refers). The award of a Green Flag would raise the Park's profile and represent a significant achievement for the Park as one of only a small number of applicants in Hampshire.

5 PARK MANAGER'S REPORT

    Mr Paterson circulated his draft report for the JMC, setting out the current position with regard to staffing matters and site information and other major issues affecting the Park at the present time. The Group was pleased to note the continuing increase in annual membership and suggested that it would be useful to include in the report an indication of membership levels in previous years for comparative purposes.

    The Group also noted the significant work currently being undertaken on the restoration of Leigh Park Gardens. It was agreed that the Park Manager's report should include a specific recommendation seeking formal support for the project and for funding for the fully inclusive training and education centre, within the Leigh Park Nursery Site ( Part of Leigh Park Gardens ).

    It was agreed that future reports from the Park Manager going forward to the Autumn meetings of the JMC would include a Business Plan update.

    (Action: Lewis Paterson)

6 TREASURER'S REPORT

    Mr Ingram circulated the Treasurer's report to the JMC, detailing the financial outturn for 2004/05. The report also set out the final accounts for 2004/05 and the draft revenue budget for 2005/06, giving a breakdown of income and expenditure attributable to each aspect of the park's operation.

    The group was pleased to note that the overall deficit at the end of 2004 was lower than expected. The position with regard to Park's reserves at the end of the year, whilst still overdrawn, was also significantly better than anticipated and officers were confident of the Park's ability to generate sufficient income so as to clear this debt in 2006/07.

7 ANY OTHER BUSINESS

    Mr Limb advised that Portsmouth Water plc would shortly be distributing a newsletter to all households in the area setting out the Authorities proposals for Havant Thicket Winter Storage reservoir.

The meeting commenced at 11.00 am and concluded at 12.48 pm.