Archived decisions

Item 6

Sir George Staunton Country Park

STAKEHOLDER FORUM

Unconfirmed Minutes

of meeting held on Tuesday 9th October 2007, at 5.30pm

In the Garrett Room, Sir George Staunton Country Park

PRESENT:

Hampshire County Council

Cllr E F Gale (Chairman)

Cllr Mrs A Buckley

Cllr Anne Edwards

Mr P Thompson

Portsmouth Water Company

Mr I Limb

Horndean Parish Council

Cllr R Hart

East Hampshire District Council

Mr S d'Este Hoare

Havant Borough Council

Mr T Lee

Havant Day Services

Mr. T Hart

Staunton Country Park

Mr L Paterson, Park Manager

    1. APOLOGIES

    Mrs J Parkinson, Hampshire Gardens Trust

    Cllr Mrs D K Denston, East Hampshire District Council

    2. MINUTES OF STAKEHOLDER FORUM

    The minutes of Stakeholder Forum Meeting held on 17th April 2007 were agreed subject to the following amendments;

    Page 1, Chairman's Communications was amended to read "A letter had been received from Cllr Moss(Havant Borough Council) outlining his decision to retire as a councillor and his position on the Stakeholder Forum and Joint Management Committee. The Chairman has responded in writing to thank Cllr Moss for all his efforts whilst on the Stakeholder Forum and Joint Management Committee".

    Page 5, A question from Cllr Mrs A Buckley regarding fly tipping was amended to read Swanmore Road and not Swarraton Road

    3. UNCONFIRMED MINUTES OF JOINT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

    The unconfirmed minutes of the joint Management Committee held on 12th June 2007 were noted.

    4. PARK MANAGER'S UPDATE

    The Park Manger updated members of the Stakeholder Forum on developments at Staunton since his last report on 17th April 2007. Despite the initially strong start to the season visitor numbers were approximately 3% lower than we had seen in 2006/07. This is possibly due to inclement weather, delays to entrance path resurfacing and the recent outbreaks of Foot & Mouth Disease damaging visitor confidence.

    Staunton had once again been successful in achieving a Green Flag Award for Leigh Park Gardens and had also achieved the VisitBritain Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Scheme (VAQAS) accreditation for the first time.

    Business

    Two members of staff had left the team (Marketing Officer and Administrative Assistant). It was hoped that these posts would be filled in the run up to Christmas to minimise disruption to the business. With nineteen wedding enquiries for next year the Park Manager also hoped to be able to recruit to the post of Conference, Functions & Events Co-ordinator, as approved at the last Joint Management Committee, during the current financial year.

    Due to a period of long term sickness the Senior Ranger has taken on temporary supervision of the Farm Team.

    Although visitor figures were lower than last year and below our target for this point in the season they still represented the second busiest year since recording commenced in 1990. Electronic counters installed at the main entrance to Leigh Park Gardens showed that almost 27,000 visitors had entered, a very encouraging number. Overall visitor spend was also higher than last year.

    Precautionary steps taken in light of Foot & Mouth Disease had meant visitor access to animals had been reduced (including a cessation in animal feed sales). Despite these significant restrictions visitor feedback had been positive. There was however a noticeable reduction in visitors during September, with many turning away at reception prior to entry.

    In addition to the Green Flag award and VAQAS accreditation Staunton had also been given a Certificate of Excellence by South & South East in Bloom for the work undertaken in partnership with Havant Day Services. This highlights the excellent partnership working which is currently being undertaken on the former Leigh Park nursery site.

    Recreation

    Staunton has continued to see increased recreational use, particularly within Leigh Park Gardens. The Park has played host to a Specialized and Giant Mountain Bike personal challenge day (attracting around 200 riders from as far a field as Norway), Street Sport Angling taster days in conjunction with Havant Borough Council (attracting over 200 local children between 11 and 16), and Staunton Live! free music event in partnership with Havant Borough Council and Havant Arts Centre. This years Staunton Live! series proved very successful attracting in excess of four thousand visitors to listen to a variety of music in Leigh Park Gardens.

    Heritage

    The recently submitted bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund to restore the vinery glasshouse, northern farm paddocks, Shell House, Beacon, and create a series of interpretation hubs had unfortunately been turned down. The Park Manager was awaiting a confirmation of reasons prior to assessing the best way forward.

    Landscape restoration works were continuing in Leigh Park Gardens with the creation of a Laurel Lawn in the section adjacent to Coach House Lawn. Members of the Forum were urged to visit and witness the positive improvements to this area. Much of the cut wood will be converted to charcoal for sale as Estate produce next spring and summer.

    Environment

    The environmental benefits of works undertaken by our Ranger team across the Estate were particularly evident in the woodland areas and lake. This included King fishers remaining at the lake throughout the summer season and a far greater abundance of butterflies within the woodland.

    Education

    Education Team continue to develop formal and informal education at Staunton. The schools membership scheme has now been extended to include all education providers within the Havant Borough and East Hampshire District Council areas. Guided learning days have increased for the period April to September from 3725 to 3904.

    The re-launched volunteer scheme is now becoming established with our second induction having taken place. Volunteer days at Staunton had increased for the period April to September from 488 to 1080 days when compared to last year.

    Following his presentation the Park Manager was asked a number of questions by the Forum;

    Q. Cllr R Hart enquired the recruitment process and time scale to recruit which seemed long and could potentially impact on the business.

    A. The Park Manager answered that the placing of adverts was undertaken centrally by Hampshire County Council which had unfortunately led to delays. It was anticipated that the advert for Countryside Ranger, Marketing Officer and Administration Assistant would shortly be placed. Recruitment for the Conference Functions and Events post was taking longer to go through due to the impending Remuneration and Benefits exercise being undertaken by Hampshire County Council which was also impacting on Staunton.

    Mr T. Hart of Havant Day Services supported the need for prompt recruitment in order that the continued progress on volunteering and placement opportunities at Staunton could continue.

    Q. Mr S d'Este Hoare enquired as to the reasons for the delay in path resurfacing commenting on the obvious negative impact this may have had on visitor numbers?

    A. The Park Manager responded that there had been an unavoidable delay in the works due to Health & Safety concerns which had been raised. It was not within the remit of the Park Manager or his staff to continue with works or amend fencing layout whilst an investigation was undertaken. Issues have been resolved and the Staunton team will continue with the works, which will need to be of a reduced scale, this autumn. The Park Manager commented that in his opinion the disruption to the entrance of the park had undoubtedly had a negative impact on site presentation and visitor numbers.

    Q. Mr T Lee enquired as to whether Go Ape! Had contacted the Park with a view to establishing a high ropes course in the woodland?

    A. The Park Manager replied that a preliminary meeting was currently being arranged with Go Ape! and Havant Borough Council to discuss possible opportunities.

    Q Mr S d'Este Hoare enquired whether there had simply been an increase in volunteer numbers or whether there had also been an increase in opportunities.

    A. The Park Manager responded that yes numbers were increasing under the re-launched scheme but opportunities had also significantly increased as more maintenance plans are produced across all areas of Park operations.

    Q Cllr R Hart enquired as to the scale and cost of Staunton Live!

    A. The Park Manager responded that the event had now become established and although it was unlikely to return financial profit was moving towards being self sustaining. It's intention was to operate as an attraction to the local community as well as a means to showcase Staunton at a regional level which it was now achieving. The scale of the operation was felt satisfactory with individual days attracting audiences in the region of 1000, well within the capacity of the Park. Increasing numbers will require additional infrastructure, in particular public conveniences, to be brought in to Leigh Park Gardens. It is intended to greater showcase activities at Staunton during the 2008 series of events.

    The Stakeholder Forum noted the Park Managers report and the Chairman and members of the Forum congratulated the team at Staunton on positive developments at the Park.

    5. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

    Tuesday 29th April 2008 at 10:00am.

    6. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

    Cllr Mrs A Buckley stated that the new visitor entrance signage looked good.