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 Huntingdonshire’s Parks had been awarded Green Flag Status once again. Councillors Mrs M L Beuttell and T D Sanderson echoed the views of the Chairman and commended the staff and volunteers for their hard work over the last 18 months. The Chairman also wished to place on record the Group’s thanks to County Councillor Mrs A Costello for her contributions to the Group in previous years.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 12th March 2021.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 12th March 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 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 2021/22 as follows:

(a)  Cambridgeshire County Council (appointment until 2022)

Councillor K Billington.

(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 2021/22 as follows:

(a)  Cambridgeshire County Council

Councillor K Billington.

(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 2021.

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 2021. In doing so, comment was made as follows:

Staffing and Volunteers

Members were encouraged to note that 2 young people had been assisting the Service under the Kickstart Scheme. It was further reported that a work experience student had been recruited 2 days a week to assist with bookings for the Countryside Centre.

Work parties were now at full strength with some of the SEN volunteers having returned back to the Country Park.

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 the cutting of wild-flower meadows and creation of habitat piles, completion of the new fishing platforms on the main lake, commencement of winter tree works in the new plantation, Bob’s Wood and Hazel Triangle, the laying of part of the hedge around the Christie Drive balancing pond and the planting of more wetland trees around the main lake.

Following questions which were raised around the antisocial behaviour of a small number of young people causing issues and damage over recent months, it was reported that the matter had been reported to the Police and that social media was being utilised to generate awareness of the problems with a view to encouraging individuals to help identify the perpetrators. The Countryside Manager was hopeful that the issues would slowly come to an end in the near future. It was further confirmed that the site currently did not have any active CCTV cameras but these would be included as part of the future development plans for the Country Park.

Community Groups

Members were encouraged to note the increase in the number of health activities being undertaken on site, which included fitness classes for the community, Happy Mamas, Everyone Health nutrition and exercise sessions and Zig Zag runners. Early negotiations are occurring with Love to Swim with a view to increasing the number of open water sessions from Spring 2022.

Satellite Sites

An update was delivered on the range of work being undertaken across Views Common, Stukeley Meadows and Spring Common all of which had experienced increased footfall and littering.

Following a question raised by Councillor T D Sanderson, the Countryside Manager reported that discussions were ongoing  in respect of the dispute over ownership with Highways England to identify responsibility for the maintenance of Views Common. The Countryside Manager then went on to report that in conjunction with a local volunteer who is focusing on litter picking, vegetation had been cleared under the underpass in this area.

Countryside Centre

Attention was drawn to occupancy levels and the number of bookings taken at the Countryside Centre compared to previous financial years. The figures showed a marked improvement when compared to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

To note that the next meeting of the Hinchingbrooke Park Joint Group will be held on 18th March 2022 at 10:00am.

It was noted that the next meeting of the Hinchingbrooke Country Park Joint Group would be held on 18th March 2022 at 10:00am.