Archived decisions

ACCESS TO COUNTRYSIDE SERVICE SITES FOR HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

COUNCIL CARED FOR CHILDREN.

1. Since its creation as a new Department, Recreation and Heritage services have been

focusing on supporting the County Council's corporate aims, particularly in relation to improving the quality of life, health, independence and personal development of Hampshire people. In particular, efforts have been made to support the more vulnerable groups of adults and children.

2. The Executive Member received a report on the result of a pilot project on free access arrangements for Hampshire County Council carers and children's homes to Countryside Service sites where there are admission and/or car parking charges and the report also included other initiatives supporting that group.

3. The results of the pilot project indicated that the most popular venues were Manor Farm, Staunton and Queen Elizabeth Country Parks. The reasons for not visiting other sites were cited principally as lack of knowledge of services on offer, cost of car parking and lack of public transport.

4. Other initiatives organised by the Department for children in both foster and care

homes have included arts activities such as working alongside them in a project with a theatre company at the Tower Arts Centre to create a performance, putting together workshops at Staunton Country Park, developing a magazine and website for young people in care and running a day of activities and sports for over one hundred cared for children known as `The Event'.

5. The Executive Member supports the continuation of the scheme and has welcomed

and endorsed the wider Departmental efforts in support of the County Council's corporate objectives.

MARGARET SNAITH,

Executive Member

for Recreation and Heritage.