Archived decisions

STAUNTON COUNTRY PARK OFFICERS GROUP

UNCONFIRMED

Notes of a Meeting held on Tuesday 17th October 2006, 10:00am

Sir George Staunton Country Park

Present: Paul Thomson, Hampshire County Council.

    Bevis Ingram, Hampshire County Council.

    Ian Limb, Portsmouth Water Ltd.

    Stephen D'Este-Hoare, East Hampshire District Council

    Lewis Paterson, Sir George Staunton Country Park.

    1. Apologies

    John Tickle (Chairman), Hampshire County Council

    Gail Grant, Havant Borough Council

    2. Notes of Officers Group Meeting

    The notes of the meeting held on 6th June 2006 were agreed as a correct record.

    3. Minutes of Stakeholder Forum.

    The unconfirmed minutes of the Stakeholder Forum held on 19th September 2006 were noted.

    There was some discussion regarding themes for future Stakeholder Forums.

    There was discussion regarding improving access to the Stakeholder Forum meetings perhaps through enabling Park Members and general public to attend meetings in 2007. It was considered feasible to invite members to an evening meeting in April and the general public to a day time meeting in September, possibly linked to the Parks Heritage Open Day.

    4. Minutes of Joint Management Committee

    The unconfirmed minutes of the Joint Management Committee held on 13th June 2006 were noted.

    5. Park Managers Update.

    The Park Manager updated members of the group on developments since his last report. Visitor numbers show a marked increase on last year, with membership sales also improving strongly. The Park had also retained its Green Flag award for a second year.

    Further detail of visitor trends will be included within the Park Managers report to the JMC.

      (Action: Lewis Paterson)

    6. Treasurers Update.

    Bevis Ingram updated the group on the current financial position for the Park.

    Visitor numbers and gate receipts had performed strongly, however corresponding increases in income within the Catering and Retail sections had not performed as well.

    The main area of concern was the speed at which the conferencing operation was growing. The budgeted net contribution was unlikely to be achieved. Figures obtained from similar operations indicate that such businesses can take between three and four years to establish.

    It was recognised that the management team at Staunton continue to actively pursue a programme to keep expenditure to a minimum. The importance of generating an operating surplus was also noted as being particularly important as the costs (as yet unknown) of implementing the Pay & Benefits programme next financial year may have an impact.

    7. Agenda Items for next Joint Management Committee.

      · Apologies for Absence.

      · Declarations of Interest.

      · Chairman's Communications.

      · Deputations.

      · Minutes of the JMC - 13th June 2006.

      · Minutes of the Stakeholder Forum.

      · Park Manager's Report. (Action: Lewis Paterson)

      · 2007/08 Pricing Structure Report. (Action: Lewis Paterson)

      · Treasurers Report. (Action: Bevis Ingram)

      · HLF Bid Update (Action: Paul Thomson)

      · Presentation to update JMC on progress at Leigh Park Nursery Site (Action: Lewis Paterson)

      · Notes of the Officer Group Meeting to be held on 17th October 2006.

    8. Date of next meeting.

    Tuesday 15th May 2007, 10:00, Staunton Country Park.

    9. Any Other Business

    None.