Archived decisions

UNCONFIRMED

Sir George Staunton Country Park

Stakeholder Forum

Minutes of Meeting

Held on Tuesday 9th September 2008, at 10:00am,

in the Garrett Room, Staunton Country Park

Present

Hampshire County Council

Cllr E F Gale

Cllr. Mrs A Buckley

Forestry Commission

Mr Simon James

Horndean Parish Council

Cllr Mr Richard Hart

East Hampshire District Council

Mr S d'Este Hoare

Havant Day Services

Mr. Terry Hart

Local Member

Cllr Mrs E. M Byrom

Portsmouth Water Company

Mr I Limb

Sir George Staunton Country Park

Mr Lewis Paterson

1. APOLOGIES

    Mr Graham Nottage

    Cllr Anne Edwards

    Cllr Mrs D K Denston

    Andrew Smith

2. MINUTES OF STAKEHOLDER FORUM

    Cllr Gale read through the Stakeholder Minutes from the meeting held on 12th May 2008. They were agreed.

3. MINUTES OF JOINT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

    The minutes of the Joint Management Committee were unavailable for discussion.

4. PARK MANAGERS UPDATE

    The Park Manager updated Members of the Stakeholder Forum on the developments at Staunton since the previous update presented on the 12th May 2008.

    Introduction

    Poor weather and the obvious impact of the credit crunch have had a marked effect on business performance at Staunton during 2008. Despite this we have had some very successful events and certain areas of business have performed well. Membership sales during the first quarter of 2008/09 were up 44% on last year. Staunton has again been awarded a coveted Green Flag this year, as well as achieving VAQAs accreditation of still

    Despite the weather we won our Green Flag Award again this year.

    Business

    Two new members joined Staunton team; Adrian McKay, Senior Farm Ranger and Rebecca Donnelly Assistant Farm Ranger. (Six month temporary contract.)

    We have seen a drop in visitor numbers to the Ornamental Farm and Gardens through the months of April - July of this year. There is a concern that retail and catering spend is also down, a trend being felt across many businesses.

    The creation of an additional retail area away from the visitor centre was undertaken prior to the main summer season. This has seen improvements in both reducing queuing time at the main entrance and providing grater focus and opportunity for retail operations to grow. Some of our retail has been affected by the credit crunch but we have seen an improvement in our plant and state produce sales.

    Recreation

    A very successful play day event was held in partnership with Havant Borough Council during August which attracted in the region of 4,000 visitors to Leigh Park Gardens.

    Despite poor weather the Staunton Live! music events were attended by well over 3,000 visitors. We are currently looking at opportunities to further develop this popular event.

    Heritage

    The first phase of restoration to the walled garden Vinery has been completed and funding is currently being sought to enter the second phase of restoration to this building.

    The second phase of external redecorations will be undertaken during the winter and spring of 2008/09 and will include the conference and education facilities as well as the barn.

    We have our Heritage Day on Sunday 14th September, which is free entry to the ornamental farm.

    Environment

    Our woodland management regime continues with timber and coppiced materials being utilised as play chip, firewood or charcoal.

    As the usage of Leigh Park Gardens increases the Ranger team continue to improve the path network. This has focussed primarily around the route of the inspirational play trail but has taken in other sections of paths and cycle routes.

    Education and our Community

    The 2008 summer term was the teams busiest to date for guided school visits. This continues the trend of steadily increasing numbers of educational visits.

    The gifted and talented club has enjoyed another successful and popular year. Our educational programme is being developed to include elements focusing on the proposed Havant Thicket Winter Storage Reservoir. We are working closely with the Portsmouth Water Ltd.

    The next phase of volunteer taster sessions will be undertaken during September. This work will also underpin a closer working partnership with Highbury College as part of the Nursery Site Project. Up to fifteen students with additional support from tutors will be based at Staunton for up to four days a week from September.

    Following the Park Managers report he was asked a number of questions by the Forum:

    Q. Volunteer number's appear to be down, why is that?

    A. Due to reorganising the programme there has been an inevitable drop. Numbers are again increasing and we are working with Highbury College.

    Q. Stansted House encourage volunteer's using leaflets.

    A. We do have leaflets for volunteering. Which will be advertised more around the park to help encourage volunteers at Staunton.

    Q. Congratulations on the Green Flag award. The Gardens are stunning. Have we thought of selling more flowers.

    A. The Park Manager answered we have considered selling more flowers but with only a small Gardens team it's not possible. But with the help of the volunteers if could be possible in the future.

    Q. Will you be putting a sign outside to promote the new shop without having to enter the farm.

    A. The Park Manager answered we are currently looking into investing in some new signage.

    Q. The Havant Museum has a lot of information about Staunton. Could you get copies and share it with the public?

    A. The Park Manager answered our intentions are to house a local study collection in the Gothic Library. This would hopefully from part of a restoration with the Gothic Library.

    Q. How did the recent Wedding go?

    A. The Park Manager answered despite the weather it went very well.

    Q. How has the cycle hire been going?

    A. The Park Manager answered been steady, it's has been popular with some groups but it will need to be reviewed.

    Q. Will there be any more band or barn events this year?

    A. On Saturday November 15th we have a Barn Dance which is a ticket event. It is £5.50 for a ticket. (£5.00 for members). Further details with be circulated with minutes.

    Q. Who will be paying for the band and the event?

    A. We're putting the event on in partnership with Express FM, they will be paying and supplying the band.

    Q. How many staff do you have at Staunton?

    A. We currently have 27 full time equivalent staff members.

    Q. Do you have any vacancies at the moment?

    A. We have just filled a position for a new cleaner and she is due to start soon.

    Q. Are you going to display the llama?

    A. The farm team are currently holter training, and talking them on walks around the park and using them in animal encounters.

    Q. What is happening with the Nursery Site?

    A. We are currently establishing a partnership between Staunton, Havant Day Services and Highbury College to better utilise the site.

RESOLVED:

The Stakeholder Forum note the content of the Report.

6. DATE OF NEXT STAKEHOLDER MEETING

    The next Stakeholder Meeting will be held on Tuesday 31st March 2009, at 10:00am (Tea & Coffee available from 9:45am)

7. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

    Terry Hart: Updated members for the forum regarding the proposed nursery site partnership.

    Cllr Anne Buckley: Hampshire water festival arranging committee were considering holding this high profile event at Staunton next year.

    Chairman Cllr Gale thanked everyone for attending.