Agenda and minutes

In welcoming all to the meeting, the Chairman was pleased to report the news that the District Council had secured a 99-year lease for the Country Park together with the fact that it had been awarded Green Flag Status once again.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 21st October 2021.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 21st October 2021 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive from Members declarations as to disclosable pecuniary and other interests in relation to any Agenda item.

No declarations were received.

To receive a report by the Senior Ranger on park activities for the period October 2021 to March 2022.

The Group received and noted the contents of the Senior Ranger’s report (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) and a PowerPoint presentation on park activities for the period October 2021 to March 2022. In doing so, comment was made as follows:

Staffing and Volunteers

Members were encouraged to note that both former Kickstarters had now secured full time employment and that two new individuals had started within the team since October 2021. These individuals required more support than the previous cohort which was impacting upon existing workloads. It was further noted that another individual was due to start their placement in the next few weeks.

Having regard to volunteers, the Group were encouraged to note that volunteer numbers had returned back to pre-Covid levels with the exception of SEN volunteers Whilst some had returned, others were unable to owing to the availability of carer support.

Hinchingbrooke Country Park Management

The Group were encouraged to note the range of work undertaken at the Country Park since the last meeting and noted the work to be undertaken over the coming months which included installing new pictorial meadows, spring maintenance of park furniture such as benches, way-marker posts and fences, installation of additional way-marker posts and temporary interpretation, the installation of new play equipment, which had been delayed owing to a shortage of materials and ground conditions and the submission of a planning application for the investment project.

A brief discussion was held on the potential conflict with the District Council’s Tree Strategy which had recently emerged. This was being dealt with as a high priority by the Countryside Services Manager and the Senior Ranger in conjunction with the District Council’s Planning Policy Team.

Community Groups

Members were encouraged to note that community groups had also returned to pre-Covid levels. In noting that negotiations were ongoing with Love to Swim, and in response to questions, it was confirmed that this group had their own insurance arrangements in place and that they would be undertaking their own water quality checks and responsible for providing their own lifeguards.

Satellite Sites

An update was delivered on the range of work being undertaken across Views Common, Stukeley Meadows and Spring Common. It was reported that consideration currently was being given to collaborate with other services to with a view to providing better management practices for these sites.

Café

The “Grab & Go” system remains a popular choice in the Café together with the gift shop which proved popular during the wetter months whilst also generating additional sales in the Café. Attention was drawn to the income levels form the Café when compared to previous years where it was noted that £151,476 had been generated to date in the current financial year.

Events, Activities and Promotions

Events had been arranged in accordance with COVID guidelines which included the Robin Hood interactive trail event, Flix & Picnics, Halloween interactive trail, Den Building interactive trail and Santa’s Grotto. The New Year’s Eve party had to be cancelled owing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

To resolve –

that the press and public be excluded from the meeting because the business to be transacted contains exempt information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

RESOLVED

that the press and public be excluded from the meeting because the business to be transacted contains exempt information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

To discuss the proposed Liaison Agreement for the Country Park.

The Group discussed in detail the proposed Liaison Agreement and made suggested changes/amendments to the document. The Countryside Services Manager was tasked with circulating around electronically an updated version to Members of the Joint Group for final comment. It was agreed that the matter would be discussed in six months’ time at the next meeting.

To resolve –

that the press and public be readmitted to the meeting.

RESOLVED

  that the press and public be readmitted to the meeting.

To note that the next meeting of the Hinchingbrooke Country Park Joint Group will be held on 14th October 2022 at 10:00am.

It was noted that the next meeting of the Hinchingbrooke Country Park Joint Group will be held on 14th October 2022 at 10:00am.