Contact your Parish Council
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Cobtree Manor Estate Charity Committee |
14 April 2022 |
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Queen’s Jubilee Project |
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Final Decision-Maker |
Cobtree Manor Estate Charity Committee |
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Lead Head of Service |
John Foster, Head of Regeneration and Economic Development |
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Lead Officer and Report Author |
Mike Evans, Leisure Manager |
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Classification |
Public
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Wards affected |
Boxley |
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Executive Summary |
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A report on a Cobtree Manor Park project to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. |
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Purpose of Report
Decision
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This report makes the following recommendations to this Committee: |
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2. That up to £5,000 of the operational surplus in the Cobtree Manor Estate Charity’s accounts be used for the completion of this project. 3. That the Chair of Cobtree Manor Estate Charity Committee ask the Chair of Economic Regeneration and Leisure Committee if the Carriage Museum can be more open and more available to the public in June 2022 to mark the Jubilee weekend.
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Timetable |
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Meeting |
Date |
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Cobtree Manor Estate Charity Committee |
14 April 2022 |
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Queen’s Jubilee Project |
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1. CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES AND IMPLICATIONS
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Issue |
Implications |
Sign-off |
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Impact on Corporate Priorities |
The work of the charity links directly to its charitable objectives and the corporate priorities for the council.
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Leisure Manager |
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Cross- Cutting Objectives |
The work of the charity links directly to its charitable objectives and the cross-cutting objectives of the council.
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Leisure Manager |
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Risk Management |
The risks of following and not following the recommendations in this report are included in section 5.
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Leisure Manager |
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Financial |
The recommendations will increase the appeal of the park and could attract more visitors.
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Senior Finance Manager (Client) |
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Staffing |
Staffing implications are managed day-to-day in line with council procedures and policies.
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Head of Regeneration and Economic Development |
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Legal |
There are no legal implications to accepting this recommendation. |
Team Leader, Contracts and Commissioning |
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Privacy and Data Protection |
There are no new implications as a result of this report and recommendation. |
Policy and Information Manager |
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Equalities |
There is no impact on Equalities as a result of the recommendations in this report. An EqIA would be carried out as part of a policy or service change, should one be identified.
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Equalities & Communities Officer |
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Public Health
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The Cobtree Estate works towards improving the health of our communities and residents through its day-to-day operations.
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Leisure Manager |
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Crime and Disorder |
Crime and disorder implications are managed day-to-day in line with council procedures and policies.
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Leisure Manager |
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Procurement |
Procurement implications are managed day-to-day in line with council procedures and policies. |
Head of Regeneration and Economic Development |
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Biodiversity and Climate Change |
The implications of this report on biodiversity and climate change have been considered and there are no implications on biodiversity and climate change.
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Biodiversity and Climate Change Manager |
2. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
2.1 At its 10 March meeting, the Cobtree Manor Estate Charity Committee resolved to explore using some of the operational surplus achieved this financial year to install something into the Manor Park to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
2.2 Various ideas were suggested at the 10 March meeting and it was resolved that all members should be invited to contribute additional ideas before the committee decided which idea or ideas would be taken forward.
2.3 All members were invited via email to submit ideas and to attend an online discussion to evaluate the merits of each idea.
2.4 The discussion was held on 21 March and was supported by the park manager, who advised on the logistical and operational advantages and disadvantages of the ideas, and tourism colleagues who advised on best practice and some national and other local projects that are also marking the jubilee celebrations. The jubilee celebrations will last all of 2022 and do not need to be focused around the bank holiday weekend in June. This gives a longer lead in time for installation projects and makes them more deliverable.
2.5 The ideas discussed were:
1. Tree
2. Silver birch tree to fit with platinum theme
3. Flower bed of Queen’s favourite flowers (lily of the valley)
4. Water fountain
5. Sundial
6. Beacon
7. Carriage
8. Animal sculpture trail
9. Plaque rubbings spread around the park as a trail
10.Elephant sculpture
11.Bench
12.Concreate mosaic bench decorated by community
2.6 Following discussions and technical input from officers the preferred idea amongst those members present is to install an interactive sundial that requires people to use their own shadows to tell the time. The sundial is made from a series of stones sunk into the ground following a set pattern. It will be installed in the park and accompanied by a rose bed that can be in bloom during the summer jubilee celebrations.
3. AVAILABLE OPTIONS
3.1 Do not mark the Queen’s Jubilee
CMEC can choose to not mark the jubilee with an installation. This would contradict previous resolutions and would overlook the opportunity to attract more visitors to the park.
This option is not recommended.
3.2 Mark the Queen’s Jubilee with a project other than the interactive sundial
Through invitations to all members and a discussive analysis of the submitted ideas, attended by members of this committee, CMEC has evaluated the advantages, disadvantages and preferences of multiple ideas. Selecting a different installation project at this stage would go against the preferences and advice available via the discussive analysis.
This option is not recommended.
3.3 Mark the Queen’s Jubilee by installing an interactive sundial in Cobtree Manor Park
Following members’ feedback and technical advice from officers, discussive analysis has identified a desire to install an interactive sundial in Cobtree Manor Park and decorate it with a bed of roses that can be in bloom during the summer jubilee celebrations. This option is long-lasting, has links to the passing of time, is educational on physics and nature, and will attract new visitors to the park
This is the recommended option.
3.4 Highlight and celebrate Maidstone’s links to Queen Elizabeth II, in particular the royal carriages held in the Carriage Museum
A number of carriages in the Carriage Museum are on loan from the Royal Household or were donated by the Royal Family. These links to the Queen could be celebrated this year. The Carriage Museum is within Economic Regeneration and Leisure Committee’s portfolio.
It is recommended that the Chair of Cobtree Manor Estate Charity Committee ask the Chair of Economic Regeneration and Leisure Committee if the Carriage Museum can be more open and more available to the public in June 2022 to mark the Queen’s Jubilee.
4. PREFERRED OPTION AND REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS
4.1 The preferred option is to install an interactive sundial into Cobtree Manor Park and decorate it with a rose bed. The benefits of this option are listed in paragraph 3.3.
4.2 At the time of writing the Mote Park and Cobtree Manor Park Manager does not have accurate quotes for this work. Using evidence from previous projects and knowledge of the scope of the work involved, it is anticipated this project can be completed for less than £5,000.
4.3 The Leisure Manager and the Mote Park and Cobtree Manor Park Manager will advance and complete this project and will inform committee members of progress.
4.4 In addition to the recommendation in paragraph 3.4, officers will also keep the notes on the other ideas, in particular the animal trail and sculpture trail, and look to deliver these in the short to medium term where budgets or funding make this possible.
5. RISK
5.1 If a project is not delivered to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, the Cobtree estate may miss an opportunity to join in the celebrations.
5.2 The committee will also miss an opportunity to install new infrastructure that is educational on physics and nature, interactive, long-lasting and able to attract new visitors to the park.
6. CONSULTATION RESULTS AND PREVIOUS COMMITTEE FEEDBACK
6.1 Consultation with all members has been undertaken via:
· email,
· online submission of suggested ideas,
· discussion of the merits and practicalities of each idea
· sharing of preferences
7. NEXT STEPS: COMMUNICATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DECISION
7.1 With agreement from CMEC, officers will deliver this project by summer 2022 and publicise its completion.
8. REPORT APPENDICES
· None
9. BACKGROUND PAPERS
· None