Archived decisions

AT A MEETING of the SIR GEORGE STAUNTON COUNTRY PARK JOINT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE held at Sir George Staunton Country Park, Havant on Tuesday, 10 June 2008.

PRESENT

Hampshire County Council

p Councillor E.F. Gale, MBE (Chairman)

a Councillor Mrs. A. Buckley

p Councillor I.F.E. Beagley

p Councillor Mrs. A. Edwards

p Councillor R.C. McIntosh (Vice-Chairman)

East Hampshire District Council

p Councillor Mrs. D.K. Denston

p Mr. S D'Este-Hoare

Havant Borough Council

p Councillor M. Fairhurst

Mr. Tony Lee (Business Development Manager)

Also in attendance Councillor Mrs. E.M. Byrom (Local County Councillor)

64. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

    Apologies were received from Councillor Mrs. A. Buckley as she was attending another County Council meeting.

65. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

    Members were mindful that, where they believed that they had a personal or personal prejudicial interest any matter to be considered at the meeting, they should normally, at the time of the debate, declare their interest, and having regard to the circumstances described in paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the County Council's Code of Conduct, consider whether to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 12 of the Code .

    No declarations of interest were declared.

66. DEPUTATIONS

    There were no deputations to this meeting.

67. MINUTES

    The Minutes of the Meeting of the Joint Management Committee held on 27 November 2007 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

68. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

    There were no Chairman's Communications.

69. NOTES FORM STAKEHOLDERS' FORUM

    The Joint Committee received the notes of the Stakeholders' Forum held on

12 May 2008 (Item 6 in the Minute Book).

70. PARK MANAGER'S REPORT

    The Joint Committee received the report of the Park Manager giving an update on developments at the Park (Item 7 in the Minute Book). The key developments included the appointment of five new members to the staff team, including a dedicated Conference, Functions and Events Co-ordinator, following a prolonged period of short staffing; a range of access improvements in the visitor centre; the restoration of a large section of the Vinery Glasshouse; delayed path restoration had now been completed and resurfacing work had been undertaken to the main visitor approach and West Garden Path; landscape restoration works within Leigh Park Gardens and restoration works to Hammonds Land Copse utilising cattle and pigs. Following the successful bid to the Lottery the instillation of a number of pieces of equipment on the Inspirational Trail was being finalised. Provisional dates had been booked for the "Staunton Live" music events with Rock, Folk, Country and Tribute events planned during August 2008. Following the recent public consultation exercise undertaken by Portsmouth Water Ltd. the development of plans for the Havant Thicket Winter Storage Reservoir were becoming more focussed. It was important that Sir George Staunton Country Park was involved in the future management of habitat, recreational and educational use of the new facility.

    RESOLVED:

    That:

    a. The report be noted.

    b. Further investigation by the Park Manager into the viability and mechanisms for modifying the |Sir George Staunton Country Park Management arrangements to encompass future habitat, recreational and educational management of the Havant Thicket Winter Storage Reservoir be approved.

71. FINANCIAL OUTTURN 2007/08 AND BUDGET 2008/09

    The Joint Committee received the report of the County Treasurer giving the outturn for the financial year 2007/08 and outlining the budget for the current financial year (Item 9 in the Minute Book). There had been an operating loss of £7,096 in 2007/08 resulting in a reserve deficit of £6,142 as a result of poor weather conditions in summer and spring and the impact of Foot and Mouth Disease and Blue Tongue. Action was being taken to rectify this with a view of producing a surplus of £14,005 by the end of 2008/09.

    RESOLVED:

    That:

    a. The financial outturn for 2007/08 be approved.

    b. The Budget for 2008/09 be noted

72. THE STAUNTON VISION - A REVIEW

    The Joint Committee received the report of the Park Manager on the proposed Vision Statement for the park (Item 8 in the Minute Book). It had been four years since the existing vision statement was drawn up and the proposed revised statement was especially pertinent when taking account of the development of the Country Park as a visitor attraction over the period. The proposed vision had been presented to the to the Stakeholder Forum and the Officers Group and, following discussions and a number of comments the proposed vision for consideration by the Joint Committee was:

      "A quality and inspirational experience to a diverse range of customers will be underpinned by a commitment that empowers us to strive for the highest levels of service. Inspired by Sir George Staunton's curiosity and appreciation of the natural world Staunton will become a regional attraction firmly embedded in a local community. Staunton will thrive by actively enabling people to connect with their environment and heritage. This will provoke better understanding of self and the impacts we have on our environment. We will give our community a sense of pride. Through setting examples we will strive to be an industry leader. Through responsible management the legacy of Staunton will remain for future generations to enjoy."

    RESOLVED:

    That the proposed Staunton Vision be approved.