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, 18 November 2008.

PRESENT

Hampshire County Council

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

p Councillor I.F.E. Beagley

p Councillor Mrs A. Buckley

p Councillor A. Edwards

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

East Hampshire District Council

p Councillor Mrs. D.K. Denston

a Mr. S D'Este-Hoare

Havant Borough Council

a Councillor M. Fairhurst

Mr. Tony Lee (Business Development Manager)

73. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

    Apologies were received from Councillor M. Fairhurst and Mr S. D'Este-Hoare.

74. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

    Members were mindful that, where they believed that they had a personal or personal prejudicial interest in 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 .

    There were no declarations of interest made by Members under this item.

75. MINUTES

    The Minutes of the Meeting of the Joint Management Committee held on 10 June 2008 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

76. DEPUTATIONS

    There were no deputations to this meeting.

77. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

    There were no Chairman's Communications.

78. NOTES FROM STAKEHOLDERS' FORUM

    The Joint Committee received the notes of the Stakeholders' Forum held on 9 September 2008 (Item 6 in the Minute Book). Members asked about the progress of a sign to advertise the new shop. The Park Manager informed Members that he planned to have a sign in place by Easter 2009.

79. NOTES OF THE OFFICER'S GROUP

    The Joint Committee received the notes of the Officer's Group held on Tuesday 7 October 2008 (Item 7 in the Minute Book).

80. PARK MANAGER'S REPORT

    The Joint Committee received the report of the Park Manager giving an update on developments at the Park (Item 8 in the Minute Book). Since the previous report on 10 June, the impact of the global financial crisis on business performance had been a major development. Other highlighted developments included an increase in visitor numbers despite the poor high season weather, and a marked increase in membership sales during the first half of 2008/09, which had risen 42% on the equivalent period in 2007/08.

    Members accepted that the global financial crisis had impacted on performance, demonstrated with a drop in ticket sales, but were pleased to note that there had been a small increase in retail sales and that volunteers were being better utilised. It was noted that the partnership with Highbury College as part of the Nursery Site Project had seen fifteen students based at Staunton four days a week in term time. Members asked if the retail shop could be better signed and advertised as there was potential for passing trade, likewise if it could be publicised in local leaflets and newsletters. The Park Manager reiterated the plan to have a sign in place by Easter 2009.

    RESOLVED:

    That the report be noted.

81. TREASURER'S REPORT

    The Joint Committee received the report of the County Treasurer (Item 9 in the Minute Book). It was noted that the budget for 2008/09 was set with continued economic growth in mind. Therefore, whilst the park had seen an increase in visitor numbers on the previous year, the income from visitors had fallen short of the budgeted forecast and a deficit in entrance charges had been recorded. This was attributed to the current economic climate. Members were pleased to note that the Park Manager had taken positive steps to alleviate the deficit by cutting £22,900 in expenditure to offset the £55,700 drop in income through entrance charges, but net expenditure had still increased by £32,800 against the original budget. This drop in entrance income was accentuated by the poor weather at Easter and during the Summer. Therefore, even with the positive actions of the park, (cutting expenditure on the premises and supplies and services), £18,795 will have to be transferred from the Park's reserve to meet expenditure.

    Members accepted that the Park's 10 year plan would have to be put on hold in the economic climate for the 2009/10 budget. To account for an increase in employee expenditure as a result of Hampshire County Council's pay and benefits scheme, the increase in electricity and utilities bills and the lower entrance charges expected, vacancies have been left open and volunteers made use of instead of taking on temporary and casual staff. Furthermore, the improvement budget in supplies and services had to be significantly reduced. Concerns were raised that curbing expenditure in this area would impact on general park maintenance, however reducing free events was not considered a prudent measure, as these generated interest in the park and income through catering and retail sales. It was expected that £1,533 would be transferred to the reserve.

    RESOLVED:

    That:

    (a) The revised budget for 2008/09 be approved.

    (b) The partner contributions for 2009/10 be approved.

    (c) The budget for 2009/10 be approved.

82. ANNUAL GOVERNANCE STATEMENT

    The Joint Committee received the report of the County Treasurer (Item 10 in the Minute Book). Members were pleased to note that the Joint Management Committee had complied with the regulations in the statement, but were concerned about the costs involved in completing the exercise. It was accepted that this statement was likely to be brought to the Summer meeting in the future.

    RESOLVED:

    That:

    (a) The Annual Governance Statement for 2006/07 be approved and signed off.

    (b) The Annual Governance Statement for 2007/08 be approved and signed off.

83. 2009/10 PRICING STRUCTURE REPORT

    The Joint Committee received the report of the Park Manager tabled at the meeting (Item 11 in the Minute Book) outlining the proposed Pricing Structure for 2009/10. Members accepted that the new pricing structure would have to take account of the revised budget considerations, but would still try to work along the 10 year development plan. Members were pleased to note that the proposed price for 2009 would still be under that of comparative farm and garden attractions. Some concern was raised as to the substantial increase made on the price of a season ticket. Members asked that more benefits be provided to season ticket holders to offset the increase in costs of those tickets, and were pleased that a publication would be provided to do this. Members asked that the Park Manager investigate an increase in season ticket costs for angling, as they considered the current price too generous.

    RESOLVED:

    That the 2009/10 maximum charges be approved, and that the Park Manager investigate increasing the costs of the angling season ticket, to be reported at the next meeting.

84. DATE OF FUTURE MEETINGS

    Members asked that the date of the next meeting be moved from Tuesday 9 June 2009, to the beginning of July 2009 as local elections were scheduled to take place on Thursday 4 June 2009, and therefore, there couldn't be certainty as to which Councillors would be allocated to the Joint Management Committee. The clerk undertook to do this.

    Tuesday 17 November 2009, 10.00am at Sir George Staunton Country Park.

    The Joint Management Committee's thanks were placed on record for Councillor E.F. Gale's service both as Chairman and Member, before his retirement.