Agenda item

To receive a report by the Senior Ranger on park activities for the Period April to October 2008.

In receiving and noting the contents of the Senior Ranger’s report comment was made as follows:-

(a)  Volunteers and Staffing

  Members were informed of recent staffing changes and were pleased to note that the number of volunteers continued to grow and currently stood at 579. 

(b)  Countryside Centre

  Details of the number of users of the Countryside Centre for the period April to September 2008 inclusive were presented.  Members were pleased to note that bookings continued to be received from both new and repeat customers.

(c)  Café

  Members noted that plans to extend the Café had been approved.  Building work was expected to start in November and be completed by April 2009, during which time alternative forms of refreshment would be available.

(d)  Events and Activities

  The Senior Ranger presented the Group with details of the events and activities over the spring/summer period. Members were pleased to note that the popular activities such as angling and pond dipping continued to be over subscribed.

(e)  Wider District

  Members noted a range of work being undertaken in other parts of the District. Particular attention was drawn to the footpath and access work at Holt Island.

(f)  Park Management

The Senior Ranger informed the Group of the various work being undertaken at the Country Park. Particular mention was made of the work on the new orchard, which had been funded by the Friends of Hinchingbrooke Country Park.

(g)  Friends of HinchingbrookeCountryPark

  Members were pleased to note that the membership of the Friends of  HinchingbrookeCountry Park continued to increase. There had also been a growth in the number of younger volunteers.

(h)  Miscellaneous

  Members were encouraged to note that the amount of damage, litter  and drunken behaviour over the summer had been limited and this  was attributed to the work of the Police, CCTV and PCSOs who had  worked alongside the rangers to tackle the problem.

  Members were informed that the damage to the leaves of the  Chestnut trees within the Park was the result of a moth.

  Members questioned to what extent facilities are provided to enable particular students to undertake scientific research. The Senior Ranger informed the Group scientific research tended to be concentrated on Paxton Pits, whilst HinchingbrookeCountry Park was more suited to  family groups and primary education.

  The Countryside Services Manager informed the Group that following  complaints of noise nuisance, it had been suggested that a barrier beinstalled to prevent cars using the car park late in the evening. Whilst  there were a number of issues which would need to be considered,  the complainant had been asked to monitor the number of occasions  on which noise nuisance had occurred and it was suggested that the  Police Community Support Officers could provide some assistance.

  With respect to other sites within the District, the Group noted:-

Ø  that outdoor gym equipment and a trim trail have been installed at ConeygearPark. It was hoped to install a zip wire in the Autumn months;

Ø  that under the Environment Strategy three years funding had been secured to employ a member of staff for the nursery site. The number of volunteers continued to grow and consideration was currently being given to the provision of facilities for people with special needs.

Ø  that the Paxton Pitts facility continued to grow in popularity, although the planned extension had been delayed.

Members were informed that the bridge by the Sailing Centre had fallen into a state of disrepair. Discussions would need to be held with the County Council to ascertain responsibility for the repair/replacement of this facility.

  Having noted that the park celebrates 20 years of operation on 19^th April 2009, Members were informed of a proposed plan of activities to commemorate the occasion. These included a fun run, birthday celebration and series of walks and slideshows in the Park.

  Members were also updated on proposals to provide play equipment  on the Barford Road Estate in St Neots, which had been a condition  of the planning agreement for this site. In doing so, Members were  informed that local residents were not happy with the proposals.