Venue: Countryside Centre, Hinchingbrooke Countryside Park
Contact: Melanie Sage, Democratic Services Team, Tel No. 01480 388169/e-mail Melanie.Sage@huntingdonshire.gov.uk
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ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN To elect a Chairman of the Hinchingbrooke Country Park Joint Group for the remainder of the Municipal Year. Minutes: RESOLVED
That District Councillor R West be elected as the Chairman of the Hinchingbrooke Country Park Joint Group for the remainder of the Municipal Year.
Following which Councillor R West took chairmanship of the meeting. |
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To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 27th March 2015 and the Notes of the inquorate meeting held on 16th October 2015. Additional documents: Minutes: The Minutes of the meeting held on 27th March 2015 and the Notes of the inquorate meeting held on 16th October 2015 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. |
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MEMBERS' INTERESTS To receive from Members declarations as to disclosable pecuniary and other interests in relation to any Agenda Item. Minutes: There were no declarations of interest received from those Members that were present. |
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APPOINTMENT OF VICE-CHAIRMAN To appoint a Vice-Chairman of the Hinchingbrooke Country Park Joint Group for the remainder of the Municipal Year. Minutes: RESOLVED
That District Councillor T Sanderson be appointed as the Vice-Chairman of the Hinchingbrooke Country Park Joint Group for the remainder of the Municipal Year.
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MEMBERSHIP OF THE GROUP To note the Membership of the Group for 2015/16 as follows:
(a) Cambridgeshire County Council
Councillor Sir P Brown.
(b) Huntingdonshire District Council
Councillors R C Carter, T F Hayward, T D Sanderson and R J West. Minutes: The Membership of the Hinchingbrooke Country Park Joint Group for 2015/16 was noted as follows:
(a) Cambridgeshire County Council
Councillor Sir P Brown.
(b) Huntingdonshire District Council
Councillors R C Carter, T F Hayward, T D Sanderson and R J West.
The Group expressed their continued concern at the lack of attendance at the meetings by Cambridgeshire County Council. In an attempt to resolve the matter it was agreed that the Chairman would again write to the Leader of Cambridgeshire County Council to express the Groups’ continued concern.
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SENIOR RANGER'S REPORT PDF 311 KB To receive a report by the Senior Ranger on park activities for the period October 2015 – February 2016. Minutes: In receiving and noting the content of the Senior Ranger’s report on park activities for the period October 2015 – February 2016, comment was made in relation as follows:
(a) Staffing
The Group was informed that following the Café Supervisor ceasing employment, as part of the ongoing restructure, a new Hospitality Supervisor position had been created to manage both the operation of the café and Countryside Centre. It was anticipated that a person would be in post from May 2016.
A new post of Events and Promotions Officer had been created within the Countryside Services team, and this position had been occupied by the former Countryside Centre Co-ordinator. However, until the new Hospitality Supervisor was in post it was impacting on the Events and Promotions Officer being able to fully dedicate to this role.
(b) Volunteers
The Country Park received more interest from students regarding work experience placements than it could accommodate and it had learnt from past experience to be specific as to the requirements of the students and the role.
The Council was considering where apprenticeship schemes could be accommodated, which would include Countryside Services.
The Park received funding from Cambridgeshire County Council for ten adult volunteers who were accompanied by two support workers.
(c) Wider District
As part of the national ‘Clean for the Queen’ campaign to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday, a series of community clean-ups events had been organised over a number of sites. The first event was a success and had generated a significant number of volunteers.
(d) Café
In response to question, it was confirmed that there had been cursory investigations as to the viability of relocating the café to within the Countryside Centre. However, the costs and remedial works required to facilitate this had made the idea impracticable.
(e) Countryside Centre
In discussing whether there was further scope as an educational facility it was explained that due to the national curriculum and the resultant lesson timetable it was difficult for secondary schools to allot time to use the Country Park. A number of primary schools already used the Park mainly from Easter through to July.
In was noted that although Hinchingbrooke Hospital had its own training room, there was a need to better promote the Park at the hospital
(f) Events and Activities
The Group was informed of a new Policy due to be approved by the Cabinet for events in the Council’s parks and open spaces and the introduction of fees and charges, which would have an impact on events held at the Country Park.
The new policy framework would establish clear guidelines for the consideration of applications and the staging of events, to provide greater control.
Previously events in Council parks and open spaces were agreed outside of any policy framework, with no coherent structure of fees and charges to ensure the Council recovered the costs incurred with accommodating the events.
There was flexibility within the schedule of charges and deposits depending upon the type of organisation applying to hold ... view the full minutes text for item 18. |
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DATE OF NEXT MEETING To note that the next meeting of Hinchingbrooke Country Park Joint Group will be held on 14th October 2016 at 10am. Minutes: The Group noted that their next meeting would be held on 14th October 2016 at 10am. |