Archived decisions
AT A MEETING of the SIR GEORGE STAUNTON COUNTRY PARK JOINT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE held at Sir George Staunton Country Park, Havant on 20 July 2009.
PRESENT
p Lewis Paterson
Hampshire County Council
p Councillor I.F.E. Beagley
p Councillor Mrs A. Buckley
p Councillor Mrs L. Fairhurst
a Councillor R.C. McIntosh
p Councillor F. Pearce
p Mike Walls
p Phil Halliwell
East Hampshire District Council
p Councillor Mrs. D.K. Denston
p Councillor Mrs M.C. Harvey
p Mr. S D'Este-Hoare
Havant Borough Council
p Councillor M. Fairhurst
p Mr. Tony Lee (Business Development Manager)
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Councillor R. McIntosh.
2. APPOINTMENT OF CHAIR
RESOLVED:
Councillor Mrs Fairhurst was appointed Chairman.
3. APPOINTMENT OF VICE CHAIR
RESOLVED:
Councillor Pearce was appointed Vice-Chairman
4. 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.
5. MINUTES
The Minutes of the Meeting of the Joint Management Committee held on 18 November 2008 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
Matters arising:
Minute 80:
Officers confirmed that a full size sign for the park had not been arranged yet due to issues with planning permission, but it was still being looked into.
6. DEPUTATIONS
There were no deputations to this meeting.
7. 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). Since the previous report on 18 November, the number of visitors to the park had greatly increased and there had also been a significant increase in shop sales, particularly meat, plants and firewood. A Secret Shopper had been arranged to visit the park and the overall score was 82%, which was very positive.
Problems were highlighted with parking on the 2008 Play Day. Officers confirmed that this year, arrangements had been made with local schools and offices so their car parks could be used during the event.
It was noted that Members felt the café at the park was not competitively priced for families and the range of healthy food for children could be improved. Officers and Members agreed to work together more on this issue.
Officers confirmed that Highbury College were doing a land based horticulture course at the park, but were also getting involved in park management, catering and events, which benefitted the park and the students.
Councillor Fairhurst confirmed that Havant Borough Council and Portsmouth City Council had started a Secret Shopper service, which could be provided free of charge to the park in future.
RESOLVED:
That the report be noted.
8. TREASURER'S REPORT
The Joint Committee received the report of the County Treasurer giving an update on the outturn for 2008/09 and outlining the budget for the current financial year (Item 8 in the Minute Book). There had been a slight improvement in the outturn for 2008/09 as there had been a loss of £18,016 against a budgeted loss of £18,795. This operating loss was largely due to poor trading results from the Park's commercial operations, particularly in Conferences and Events during the current difficult economic climate.
It was reported that 2009/10 income in the first quarter was up on the same period last year as entrance charges were up and shop sales were high due to increased visitor numbers at the park. Staffing costs, which are currently the main expenditure, are being kept to a minimum and a plan has been put in place to utilise staff effectively when the weather is bad.
It was agreed by the Committee that a sub-group would be set up to look at the conference, catering and wedding facilities and how these could be better managed and promoted.
RESOLVED:
That:
(a) The financial outturn for 2008/09 be approved.
(b) The budget for 2009/10 be noted.
9. ANNUAL GOVERNANCE STATEMENT
The Joint Committee received the report of the County Treasurer (Item 9 in the Minute Book) on the Annual Governance Statement. Officers explained that the statement was mandatory and Members agreed that it would be beneficial for the Risk Assessment and Health and Safety documentation to be brought to the Committee meeting on an annual basis before the statement is signed off.
RESOLVED:
That the Annual Governance Statement for 2008/09 be approved and signed off.
10. DATE OF FUTURE MEETINGS
It was agreed that future meetings would take place in January and July each year, as this was easier with regards to the management of the park. The clerk undertook to arrange this.