To receive a report by the Senior Ranger on park activities for the period April to October 2011.
Contact:Mrs J Arnold 451568
Minutes:
In receiving and noting the contents of the Senior Ranger’s report, comment was made as follows:
(a) Staffing
Members’ attention was drawn to recent staff changes including the release of Pat Knight, Countryside Services Manager and Roland Fletcher, Ranger at Paxton Pits, under the District Council’s voluntary release scheme.
(b) Volunteers
The Group noted that the number of volunteer days worked currently stood at over 900.
(c) Countryside Centre
Details of the number of users of the Countryside Centre for the period April to September 2011 compared to previous years were presented. Members noted that fewer lunches were being booked which was attributed to organisations/businesses cutting back during the economic downturn.
(d) Café
Members were advised that trade in the café was heavily weather dependant, however £1000 profit had been made through the sale of a small range of goods. The Senior Ranger reported that from 1st April, staff in the café had agreed to reduce their hours to 4 days a week, subsequently a member of staff had left which had resulted in the Senior Ranger covering in the café for holiday and sickness cover.
(e) Events and Activities
The Senior Ranger informed the group of the various events/activities that had been held since the last meeting. A highlight of that period had been the Sports Day which had attracted 570 people partaking in 15 different sports. Members were advised that, in order to save money, an events leaflet had not been produced this year however in response to a number of complaints/comments it has been agreed to produce a scaled down publication, using paper formats rather than glossy brochure, next year.
(f) Wider District
Members noted that a range of work had been undertaken in other parts of the District under the countryside services remit. Particular mention was made of the partnership work with Urban & Civic and Godmanchester nursery to grow plants for their Alconbury site.
In response to a question by a Member, the Senior Ranger explained that Rangers continued to work with volunteers and community groups to improve Coneygear Park and Oxmoor estates, however the Community Gardens scheme had not been successful in these areas. Members were pleased to noted that Moor in bloom had gained silver for Best Urban Community in Anglia in Bloom and Huntingdonshire Community Nursery Rangers had been awarded best special needs garden.
(g) Park Management
The Senior Ranger informed the Group of the various work being undertaken at the Country Park including tree surveys, construction of fences around the Wash and a new bird hide on the Spit.
(h) Friends of Hinchingbrooke Country Park
It was reported that the Friends of Hinchingbrooke Country Park would be holding a Christmas Shopping day in the Visitors Centre on 20th November 2011.
(i) British Open Water Swimming Society
In response to a question by the Chairman, the Senior Ranger advised the Group that the British Open Water Swimming Society held regular sessions at the Country Park. Those attending had to be members of the Society and other safety measures were in place including the use of wet suits and safety boats.
(j) Car Park
The Group was informed that the introduction of parking charges at the Country Park at the beginning of September 2010 had not resulted in noticeable changes to attendance levels. Members noted that the six hour limit for vehicles parking at the Country Park had deterred commuters and hospital workers from parking there which had freed up parking spaces for users of the park.
Supporting documents: