Venue: Countryside Centre, Hinchingbrooke Countryside Park
Contact: Melanie Stimpson, Democratic Services Team, Tel No. 01480 388169/e-mail Melanie.Stimpson@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 J West be elected as the Chairman of the Hinchingbrooke Country Park Joint Group for the remainder of the Municipal Year.
Councillor R J West in the Chair. |
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To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 16th March 2018. Minutes: The Minutes of the meeting held on 16th March 2018 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 J M Palmer 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 2018/19 as follows:
(a) Cambridgeshire County Council (appointment until 2021)
Councillor Adela Costello
(b) Huntingdonshire District Council
Councillors J M Palmer, T D
Sanderson, R J West and Minutes: The Membership of the Hinchingbrooke Country Park Joint Group for 2018/19 was noted as follows:
(a) Cambridgeshire County Council (appointment until 2021)
Councillor A Costello
(b) Huntingdonshire District Council
Councillors J M Palmer, T D Sanderson, R J West and D R Underwood.
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SENIOR RANGER'S REPORT PDF 438 KB To receive a report by the Senior Ranger on park activities for the period February – September 2018. Contact: J Arnold 388666 C Moss 388207 Additional documents: Minutes: In receiving and noting the contents of the Senior Ranger’s report on park activities for the period February – September 2018, comment was made in relation as follows:
Staffing
There had been further reductions in staffing at the Park as one of the Rangers had resigned leaving Hinchingbrooke Country Park in September.
There continued to be an Acting Senior Ranger who divided his time between the Park and Paxton Pits. However, it was noted that resources within Countryside Services had reduced and this was having an impact on service delivery. The hot weather had meant that frequent grass cutting had not been required.
In response to questions regarding maintenance of the pathways around the Park, it was explained that the Park was now in receipt of the sand required to remedy the paths around the lake. However, some paths required a long term solution, such as a boardwalk, which had significant cost implications.
Reference was made to Minute No.26 regarding the Timebank scheme launched in Godmanchester and the suggestion that it might be able to provide assistance to Godmanchester Nursery. However, the Group was advised that this had not been progressed due to sickness absences.
The Group were concerned to hear of the continued staff pressures and enquired of any plans to resolve the situation. It was explained that the consultant’s report regarding the long term business plan for the Park had been awaited prior to recruitment to ensure that the future staffing structure was sustainable, to progress the aspirations for the Park. The advertisement of two Ranger posts would imminently be presented for approval to the Senior Leadership Team.
There had also been staffing issues in the Café, following the resignation of the Supervisor. This had now been resolved.
Despite a reduction in staff resources, it was agreed that the Park was being maintained to a high standard, which the Group commended. However, it was important that staff were able to take annual leave, which was currently proving difficult. In response it was explained that there had been some delay regarding the item due to be presented to the Cabinet for determination regarding the long term plan for the Park, the reasons for which were explained. The Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Customers and Partnerships) had previously received a presentation on the outline business case.
It was accepted that the Business Plan was being established for the future of the Park but until it reached fruition it was enquired whether there were any interim plans to address the staffing issues. It was explained that existing staff were accommodating the staff shortages, which was not sustainable. The full business plan would include financial implications and be incorporated within the 2019/2020 budget.
Volunteers
Given the current staffing levels, the Park was unfortunately unable to accept any further volunteers. It was however noted that volunteers had worked 421 days over the previous 6 months.
The assistance provided by the volunteers was invaluable particularly that of the Green Team who were able to work ... view the full minutes text for item 6. |
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DATE OF NEXT MEETING To note that the next meeting of Hinchingbrooke Country Park Joint Group will be held on 15th March 2018 at 10am. Minutes: The Group noted that their next meeting would be held on 15th March 2019 at 10am. |
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EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC To resolve –
that the press and public be excluded from the meeting because the business to be transacted contains information relating to the financial or business affairs of a particular person (including the authority holding that information). Minutes: RESOLVED:
that the press and public be excluded from the meeting because the business to be transacted contains information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information). |
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VERBAL UPDATE ON HINCHINGBROOKE COUNTRY PARK LONG TERM BUSINESS PLAN To update the Group on progress with the Long Term Business Plan. Contact: N Sloper 388635 Minutes: In addition to the information already discussed within Minute No. 33, the Hinchingbrooke Country Park Joint Group were provided with a verbal update as to progress and aspirations contained within the long term Business Plan for the Park.
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DEMOCRATIC SERVICES OFFICER Minutes: In concluding the meeting the Chairman informed the Group that it was the last meeting that Melanie Stimpson would attend as she was due to leave the Council’s employment at the end of October.
On behalf of the Group, the Chairman expressed appreciation to Ms Stimpson for her support and contribution to the Group and wished the very best in her new role.
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