Agenda and minutes

To elect a Chairman of the Hinchingbrooke Country Park Joint Group for the remainder of the Municipal Year.

RESOLVED

  that Councillor R J West be elected Chairman of the Hinchingbrooke Country Park Joint Group for the remainder of the Municipal Year.

Councillor R J West in the Chair.

In his introductory remarks, the Chairman welcomed the news that a 99 year lease had been obtained for the Country Park and that 3 of Huntingdonshire’s parks and open spaces had been awarded the Green Flag Award 2020, including Hinchingbrooke.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 13th March 2020.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 13th March 2020 were approved as a correct record.

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

No declarations were received.

To appoint a Vice-Chairman of the Hinchingbrooke Country Park Joint Group for the remainder of the Municipal Year.

RESOLVED

  that Councillor Mrs M L Beuttell be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Hinchingbrooke Country Park Joint Group for the remainder of the Municipal Year.

To note the Membership of the Group for 2020/21 as follows:

(a)  Cambridgeshire County Council (appointment until 2021)

Councillor Ms A Costello.

(b)  Huntingdonshire District Council

Councillors Mrs M L Beuttell, T D Sanderson, R J West and Mrs S R Wilson.

To note the Membership of the Group for 2020/21 as follows:

(a)  Cambridgeshire County Council

Councillor Ms A Costello.

(b)  Huntingdonshire District Council

Councillors Mrs M L Beuttell, T D Sanderson, R J West and Mrs S R Wilson.

To receive a report by the Senior Ranger on park activities for the period March to September 2020.

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 March to September 2020. In doing so, comment was made as follows:

Staffing and Volunteers

Members were informed of the impact of COVID-19 upon both staff and volunteers. Volunteer work parties had come to a halt which had resulted in increased work upon staff. Given the measures put in place, some work, such as chainsaw work, could not be undertaken as the site initially operated with one member of staff available at a time. 

In addition to the work parties all other volunteering activities had also ceased owing to the pandemic. Members were however encouraged to note that, with the exception of the SEN group, all volunteer roles had now restarted and had been welcomed back via a phased approach. Members were assured that risk assessments and safe working practices were being thoroughly reviewed to ensure compliance with COVID-19 guidance in respect of both the voluntary workforce and external organisations that were hiring rooms at the Countryside Centre.

In response to a question raised by the Chairman, it was hoped that there would be an increase in volunteers as a result of the pandemic. The Senior Ranger confirmed that new volunteers had already signed up and started their roles at the Park. The Group concurred that the Country Park remained a vital asset to Huntingdonshire and that focus should remain on keeping the Park busy and thriving despite these challenging times.

Park Management

Despite the pandemic, the Group were encouraged to note the range of work undertaken at the site over the busy summer months which included keeping up with increased litter and antisocial behaviour, maintenance of meadow grassland areas and mown pathways, installation of the first layer of the new path along Top Ride at Bob’s Wood, completion of tree safety works, repairing potholes around the Main Lake path and completing a “spring clean” tidy up and reorganisation of the yard and workshops.

With the assistance of the volunteer work parties new posts and rail fences had been installed in the extended yard area, the seasonal wildflower meadow had been cut and park signage and furniture had been refurbished and repaired.

Pursuant to Minute No. 19/11, Mrs S R Wilson requested an update on how the Park was progressing towards the production and sale of biofuel to the public. The Senior Ranger informed that this project had dropped off as a priority owing to the pandemic but that investigations would be made in the near future.

Community Groups

Many of the Park’s Community Groups had now resumed their activities with suitable safety procedures. Particular mention was made of the Huntingdon Canoe Club and the Huntingdonshire Bee Keeper’s Association. The former had restarted activities in line with British Canoeing Guidance and whilst the latter remained closed, refurbishment works to the viewing gallery had been completed.

Satellite Sites

The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

To note that the next meeting of the Hinchingbrooke Country Park Joint Group will be held on 12th March 2021 at 10:00am.

It was noted that the next meeting of the Hinchingbrooke Country Park Joint Group would be held on 12th March 2021 at 10:00am.