Archived decisions

ITEM 7

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL.

SIR GEORGE STAUNTON COUNTRY PARK.

JOINT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.

TUESDAY 10TH JUNE 2008.

PARK MANAGER'S REPORT.

Contact: Lewis Paterson (Telephone: 023 9245 3405).

1. Introduction

    1.1. The following report updates members of the Joint Management Committee on developments at the Park since the previous Park Manager's Report presented on 27th November 2007.

    1.2. Despite a very positive start to the 2007/08 financial year a number of factors meant that the visitor targets have not been achieved. Despite this the past season has still been one of the busiest since 1990 with Staunton again outperforming many other regional and national attractions (VisitBritain, England Attractions Monitor survey).

    1.3. Despite this the team at Staunton have continued to develop and maintain the standard of the attraction. 2008 sees restored pathways, a new play trail introduced to Leigh Park Gardens and much needed improvements to the retail and visitor centre areas.

2. Business

    2.1. Following prolonged periods of short staffing we have recently welcomed five new members of staff to the team;

      · Adam Maskill, Countryside Ranger;

      · Alexandra Hansler, Administration Assistant;

      · Gemma Summerfield, Assistant Education Officer;

      · Joanna Roberts, Conference Functions & Events Co-ordinator; and

      · Samantha Brown, Marketing & Events Manager.

    2.2. These new members of staff bring with them a broad range of skills that will enable us to further develop operational and visitor standards at Staunton over the coming season.

    2.3. We are currently in the process of recruiting a replacement Senior Farm Ranger and hope to appoint during June. The Senior Ranger has temporarily taken on supervisory responsibility of the Farm Team.

    2.4. During the 2007/08 financial year 105,406 visitors entered the Ornamental Farm and Gardens (excluding educational visits). This represents a drop in visitor numbers to the Ornamental Farm and Gardens for the period April to March when compared to 2006/07 (5,291 visitors or 5%). When compared to our visitor numbers target the deficit is more significant (around 7%). This will inevitably have an impact on the budget.

    2.5. Despite this check in growth the figures are still comparable to last year and, with the exception of last year, represent the highest visitor numbers recorded since 1990. Readings from our electronic visitor counters for the Leigh Park Gardens main and kissing gates have been encouraging and numbered 121,912 for the period April to March. If we assume that all visitors entered and left by these same gates then that equates to 60,956 visitors for that period.

    2.6. The principal reasons for the failure to achieve visitor targets are thought to be;

      · poor summer and spring weather;

      · peak season impact of foot & mouth disease; and

      · delays to path resurfacing works during the critical summer period.

    2.7. The previous report to Stakeholders highlighted the challenge of closing the gap on visitor and income targets by the end of this financial year.

    2.8. Although visitor trends have suffered during the 2007/08 financial year when compared to other attractions over the calendar year Staunton continues to perform well. Table 2.1, below, outlines findings from the Tourism South East tourism trends survey.

       

      Trend compared to

      Type of Attraction

      2006

      2005

           

      Historic Properties

      No Change

      Down 7%

      Museums & Galleries

      Down 3%

      Down 6%

      Gardens

      Down 8%

      Down 7%

      Country Parks

      Down 8%

      Down 3%

      Zoo & Wildlife Attractions

      Up 15%

      Up 16%

      Other Attractions

      No Change

      No Change

       

       

       

      Charging Attractions

      Down 2%

      Down 1%

      Free Attractions

      Down 16%

      Down 27%

       

       

       

      Staunton

      Up 2%

      Up 30%

    Table 2.1: Tourism Trends (January to December 2007)

    2.9. As highlighted in previous reports the dramatic increase in visitor numbers has seen retail spend per head drop. Despite last years lower than expected visitor numbers spend per head figures have remained encouraging. Average spend per head (inc. VAT where appropriate) can be seen in table 2.2.

    Table 2.2: Comparison of Visitor Spend per Head

    2.10. In order to improve this situation we have reviewed our retail operation and this year are investing in new retail areas and management equipment. The most noticeable impact of this have been the opening of a new shop area in the building formerly occupied as a temporary classroom by Sparsholt. There is still an element of retail being undertaken from the Visitor Centre but this area will be evolved to focus on selling the Staunton experience to our visitors as well as hopefully encouraging repeat visits (and membership sales).

    2.11. A range of access improvements have been undertaken in the visitor centre. These include installation of electrically activated doors and improvements to the public conveniences.

    2.12. The appointment of a dedicated Conference, Functions & Events Co-ordinator will enable us to develop this area of business over the coming year.

    2.13. Following the recent public consultation exercise undertaken by Portsmouth Water Ltd. the development of plans for the Havant Thicket Winter Storage Reservoir are becoming more focussed. It is important that Staunton is closely involved in the future management of habitat, recreational and educational use at this new facility. As Staunton is already an established and effective working Partnership further investigation should be undertaken into viability and mechanisms for modifying the Partnership to encompass future management of these aspects of the reservoir.

3. Recreation

    3.1. Leigh Park Gardens continues to prove an attraction for local residents and visitors from further away. We have hosted a number of cross country running events and for the first time hosted the Havant Borough Sport Relief Mile, attracting over two hundred entrants.

    3.2. We are currently in the process of planning this years free Staunton Live! music event. Provisional dates have been booked as follows;

      · Sunday 3rd August - Rock

      · Sunday 10th August - Folk

      · Sunday 17th August - Country

      · Sunday 24th August - Tribute

    3.3. Following our successful bid to the Lottery we are finalising the installation of a number of pieces of equipment on the Inspirational Trail.
    These are proving popular with visitors and encouraging families to venture further into the parkland and ancient woodland areas. Several of the installed pieces of equipment were chosen with local young people to encourage various types of play. As part of the process we held workshops with secondary aged children including planting the willow dome and designing and making totem poles.

4. Heritage

    4.1. Throughout the winter and spring Hampshire County Council's Historic Buildings Team have been working toward the restoration of a large lection of Vinery Glasshouse. Specialist contractors are restoring ten of the sashes and it is hoped that the remainder can be restored in coming years. The works will enable the vinery to be opened for public use in time for the summer season.

    4.2. The Ranger Team have completed their next phase of landscape restoration works within Leigh Park Gardens. The overgrown section of laurel between the Serpentine Border and Terrace has been cut back and regrowth will eventually create a Laurel Lawn.

    4.3. The delayed path restoration has now been completed and further resurfacing works have also been undertaken to the main visitor approach and the West Garden path.

5. Environment

    5.1. Our coppicing regime continues in the woodland areas with coppiced materials being utilised as play chip, firewood or charcoal.

    5.2. The restoration works to Hammonds Land Copse, utilising cattle and pigs, have resulted in a wealth of Orchids growing from the once again exposed seed bank.

    5.3. Lapwings are once again nesting on the outlying pasture land and recent surveys have conclusively found Dormice in the woodland estate.

6. Education & Our Community

    6.1. During the past year we have seen increased numbers of guided visits and education members.

    6.2. The Gifted and Talented club have been developed following a successful pilot last year. Ten local schools bring three Year 2 and Year 3 children who are particularly able at a selected topic, such as history, science, art or drama. So far approximately one hundred and eighty different children have attend three sessions (9 hours) and will all meet again for a celebration day on 16th July.

    6.3. A number of continual professional development days have been provided for teachers and school staff. These days enable teachers to use environmental education techniques and activities to teach across the curriculum, in their school grounds or on visits to Staunton.

    6.4. Staunton continues to be supported by our team of volunteers who will be attending refresher training over the summer. Our supported volunteer group has extended to six agencies and twelve adults, all with special needs. They carry out general tasks, working with all teams, one day each week.

    6.5. We are currently working closely with Havant Day Services and Highbury College to more formally establish an educational partnership. This will provide significant opportunity for learners with a wide range of abilities to work closely in assisting us restore the Estate.

7. Recommendation

    7.1. That the Joint Management Committee;

      (a) Note the content of this report; and

      (b) Approve further investigation by the Park Manager into the viability and mechanisms for modifying the Sir George Staunton Country Park Joint Management Arrangements to encompass future habitat, recreational and educational management of the Havant Thicket Winter Storage Reservoir.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report. NB this list excluded:

    1. Published works.

    2. Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

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