Meeting documents

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Michael Green, K Jones, Mrs S Jones and M Tomlinson.

Councillor Martin declared a personal interest in items 6, 7 & 8 as an employee of Lancashire County Council.

RESOLVED (unanimously) that:
The minutes of the meeting held on 12 August 2014 be approved as a correct record and signed by the chairman.

The committee considered the list of matters arising from the last and earlier meetings. It agreed to remove the items from the list with the exception of:-

12/08/14 - Member Development Plan Outturn report 2013/2014 and draft Member Development Plan 2014/2015 ? min. no.13 (4), (5) & (6).

12/08/14 - Scrutiny Review of External Communications - Final Progress Report ? min. no.14 (1), (2), (6).

12/08/14 - Scrutiny Review of Health Inequalities - Progress Report ? min. no.15 (2).

The Chairman welcomed Councillor Mullineaux (Deputy Leader and Cabinet member for Neighbourhoods and Street Scene) and Andrew Richardson (Parks & Neighbourhoods Manager) to the meeting.

The Parks & Neighbourhoods Manager gave a presentation to the committee outlining the background information on Worden Park and the council?s Vision Plan for the park. Worden Park had over 250,000 visitors per year, was the only park north of London to have been awarded and annually retained the Green Flag Award since the awards began in 1997. Whilst each year the council carried out works to maintain and improve it certain aspects required significant investment to conserve and provide high quality infrastructure and facilities to cater for the number of visits the park now received. The plan over a 20 year period outlined, priorities to conserve and develop the park?s built infrastructure, landscape and facilities aiming to maintain the site as one of the principal public parks in the North West Region. It also sought to build on the parks success and develop the potential to increase visitor numbers even further, which in turn would attract wider economic benefits for the wider area.

Recent improvements and successes included
? refurbishment of the historic North Lodge entrance and reconstruction of the path to the playground
? completion of phase 1 of the children?s playground refurbishment
? completion of flood defences, watercourse improvements and upgraded access to the park from the northern boundary
? creation of a partnership with the Brothers of Charity Services resulting in the ongoing restoration and refurbishment of the Walled Garden
? refurbishment of the paths and gates within the formal gardens
? Improvements in night time security, closing the park to vehicles at the published times

The aims of the Vision Plan was to provide a park that was
? accessible, identifiable and promotes a culture of pride and belonging
? appealing to those visiting the area
? attractive to those considering settling in the area
? responsive to the needs of residents and visitors

To deliver the vision the following objectives had been identified around the above four themes
? maintaining and restoring the park?s historic features and infrastructure
? conserve and enhance the ecological value of the park
? meet visitor expectations and improve the facilities on offer to visitors
? develop the central core of the park ensuring full occupation of the Hall Complex and associated buildings and provide an attractive offer to residents and visitors
? develop a Communications Strategy for the park

In the past a number of the buildings in the park had been repaired with in compatible materials. The council was restoring the remaining historical structures such as the formal garden, walled garden, paths & drives. Events on the park were restricted to limit impact. There was also re-constructing banks to the brook, removal of non-native invasive species, improvements to the ponds and provision of education amenities, working on an overflow car park (part of the plan being to line up the entrance with Vicarsfield Road). The council was also looking at a potential weekend link with the Vehicle Museum, looking how to open access to the Ice House, create a feature around the Arboretum, and improve the drainage on the sports pitches.

The Hall, Derby Wing and Marsden theatre were currently empty and the council was actively seeking tenants. Works were on going in the Court Yard to open it up and make it more accessible/useable.

The Chairman felt that all would agree that the parks in South Ribble especially Worden Park were jewels in the borough?s crown and appreciated the presentation. He referred to the committee?s task group?s earlier recommendation requesting the production of a plan for the park. There then appeared to be some confusion regarding when such a report should have been presented and its format.

In response to the Chairman, the Cabinet member commented that the Vision Plan was for a 20 year period and contained items the council aspired to undertake, largely subject to funding being available which made it difficult to list defined actions.

The Cabinet member confirmed that following a recommendation for the council to have a more formal approach to stakeholders, meetings had taken place with occupants of the Court Yard units, local councillors (felt to cover Leyland My Neighbourhood Forum). He added that the council would widen links with external stakeholders where appropriate and possible, and the My Neighbourhood was an ideal area to do this. The Parks & Neighbourhoods Manager added that each month he met with Friends of Worden Park. He had originally met the tenants quarterly with but they had not wanted formal meetings. They subsequently formed their own group with a more relaxed format and brought issues/ideas with him and/or estates.

Councillor Mullineaux stated that elected ward members had been invited to a meeting and it had been felt that their attendance was also as members of their neighbourhood forum.

In respect of an action plan, the Cabinet member re-iterated that this was a ?vision? for the park covering a 20 year period, it was a public document and whilst actions were taking place these were not in the public domain in case aspects did not happen.

It was confirmed that the Vision Plan was updated as events/actions took place to reflect the current situation it was not a static document.

The committee understood that to retain Worden Park?s Green Flag Award, the council was required to have an action plan for its management of the park. It was informed that the council had to produce a Management Plan which indicated how it proposed to manage the park over a five year period, but this was not an action plan. The council needed to be careful not to included items that might not be undertaken and only those it was sure would be delivered.

In respect of the Green Flag Award process, the council pays a fee and completes an application form. Established Green Flag Award parks are formally inspected every two years, following year visited by a mystery shopper. The judges meet the Parks & Neighbourhoods Manager and Landscapes Officer on site. They tour the park discussing plans and score the park against award criteria and state whether the flag has been awarded and where could improve. During the discussions, funding plans limited to 12 months or financial year, beyond that aspirations with no funding. The council has to be careful what it includes, such as indicating what it would like/try to do.

The mystery shopper simply has a copy of the Management Plan and visits the park. The council?s works over recent years has helped show its commitment to maintenance/improving standards.

Accepting that the Vision Plan was broad brush/aspirational with uncertainty about its funding. It was wondered how much of the council?s funding for parks (circa ?400,000), was allocated to Worden Park. The Parks & Neighbourhoods Manager confirmed not all allocated for Worden Park, but something approaching ?300,000. The committee felt that the council must have a list of items (breakdown) where that funding was to be spent. Whilst understanding that it might look a large amount it was soon diluted, there would be action(s) (plan) for the projects/funding currently available.

The Vision Plan was for 20 years, was there an idea of the cost for the entire plan (irrespective of funding being available). The Parks & Neighbourhoods Manager indicated that at current market prices the council was looking at about ?3M to ?4M. The committee felt that at least the council knew, that was a target even if aspirational and to turn that into action(s) there needed to be an action plan, such as exploring funding streams. The council had previously made a lottery bid and within that a vision and what the funding would be used for.

The committee was keen to have an update and know what was happening with the Derby Wing and Marsden Theatre which were both empty and unused. The Cabinet member confirmed that the council was weighing up the best options and looking for suitable tenant(s) ideally as soon as possible. It was difficult to find someone that would occupy the premises on a regular basis. If in the Vision Plan, the council was able to develop/increase activity in the central core of the park, this might then increase the possibility/attraction of developing/letting this area.

In respect of surfacing the pathways, the Parks & Neighbourhoods Manager, stated that the areas of Worden Park which were Grade II listed, the council had to replace like for like, which was tarmac. In relation to any new pathways these would be surfaced with Toptrek, as the most cost-effective material to improve footpaths. This material or crushed limestone was also being used at Hurst Grange, Longton Brickcroft and Todd Lane South. At Penwortham Holme Park the part of the path slopped and to prevent material being washed away, the path was partial tarmac/stone.

The committee wondered if the council received any income from the bar during Leyland Festival. Councillor Mullineaux explained that this was arranged by the Festival Committee. The Railway Hotel had run the bar and given a donation to the festival, it was presumed the hotel had made some money. The council charged for certain commercial events held on the park, such as a circus, but not for charitable/community based events.

In response to an enquiry whether the assets in the park were being used, the Parks & Neighbourhoods Manager confirmed that from 1 September 2014, there was currently one Court Yard unit vacant. The council had received a number of applications to occupy the unit. In respect of works around the park, the council had consulted its tenants. Whilst the operator of the Mini Golf had surrendered the lease it had been taken on by another.

A member of the public stated that Worden Park was one of the few places accessible to wheelchair users. In particular, he informed the meeting that the Model Railway had a carriage with a side ramp to enable wheelchair access, enabling the whole family to enjoy a train ride around the park.

In response to a member of public?s enquiry about plans to attract income (concerts/beer tents etc), Councillor Mullineaux commented that these could be explored. The Parks & Neighbourhoods Manager added that one restriction (car parking) was being addressed. However, the council tried to be a good neighbour, so there were some events/activities that would not be pursued. The Bristol Balloon Festival had previously been on Worden Park but moved to Bristol were there was more room. The council was currently in discussions with a medieval re-enactment group which could develop in to a medieval weekend. It was also reported that the police had reservations/issues with certain events taking place on Worden Park (in the park and/or its buildings). The council no longer had a commercial services team to administer the facilities so any organisation/business would need to run it themselves. It was confirmed that whilst the council still marketed the Court Yard units, the other facilities at the park, such as the Derby Wing and Marsden Theatre were now by an external organisation.

RESOLVED (unanimously) that
1. Councillor Mullineaux (Deputy Leader and Cabinet member for Neighbourhoods and Street Scene) and Andrew Richardson (Parks & Neighbourhoods Manager) be thanked for their attendance and responding to the committee?s enquiries;
2. the committee acknowledges that Worden Park was a jewel in the crown of South Ribble;
3. the committee was concerned at the apparent length of time taken to prepare and present the Worden Park Vision Plan;
4. the committee subsequently requests a copy of the Worden Park Management Plan and any other background documents referred to by the Cabinet member or Parks & Neighbourhoods Manager;
5. the committee looks forward to receiving a breakdown of the council?s capital funding allocated to parks including Worden Park;
6. the committee requests regular updates on the letting of the Derby Wing and the Worden Arts Centre including options for future use; and
7. the committee also requests a further report be presented on the short, medium and long-term actions to achieve the Vision.

Further to min. no.12, 12 August 2014, the committee received the Cabinet member for Strategic Planning and Housing?s responses to the committee?s Scrutiny Review of Planning.

Councillor M Gardner on behalf of Councillor Michael Green (chairman of this scrutiny review) wished to thanks all those involved, in particular the council?s Scrutiny & Performance Officer and, Pendle and Lancaster councils for their hospitality. He also suggested that a progress report on the committee?s recommendation be submitted in 6 months.

RESOLVED (unanimously) that
1. the committee appreciates the Cabinet member for Strategic Planning and Housing?s responses to the review?s recommendations; and
2. the committee looks forward to receiving a progress report on its recommendations in 6 months.

The Chairman confirmed that the protocol had been discussed by and well received by the council?s partners. He added that Sue Turner (Centre for Public Scrutiny) who had been heavily involved had requested permission to use part of the protocol for an article in the Local Government Association Journal.

RESOLVED (unanimously) that the South Ribble Local Health Scrutiny Protocol be noted.
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At this point the Chairman took the opportunity to express his concern regarding Delegated Decision 795. In that aspects of this decision appeared to have been implemented before the end of the Call-in period. The Chairman planned to raise the matter with the council?s Chief Executive.

(a) Update on Scrutiny Review of Drainage and Flooding
The task group had met, including with the Leader of the Council and the council?s Drainage Technician. It was appreciated this was a complex topic and further meetings of the task group were planned.

(b) Update on Scrutiny Review of Welfare Reform
There was currently no update but further meetings of the task group were planned.

(c) Update on newly created Task Groups: Ageing Population and Road Casualties & Deaths
This task group would meet shortly and it was agreed that Councillor Mrs Woollard be added to the task group.

(d) Verbal update on Lancashire County Council's Health Scrutiny Committee
The Chairman confirmed he had attended the recent meeting of the county council?s scrutiny committee whose discussions had included School Nursing and Health Visiting.

(e) Member feedback on meeting and training attended on behalf of the committee
Councillor Martin commented that the Chairman and he had attended a session on Community Health Advocacy Training.

(f) Cabinet and Scrutiny Forward Plans (attached)
The committee noted both its Forward Plan and that of Cabinet.
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