1.       CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES AND IMPLICATIONS

2.      INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

3. 

        Cobtree Manor Park

2.1   Latest car park usage data to 27 March 2022 showed more than £110,000 nett income for the financial year.  This equates to 66,266 paid vehicle visits and is a positive variance of £5,000 against the reprofiled budget.

Golf Course

2.2   The new golf course manager is in place and has overseen good course usage despite a period of mixed course conditions due to some extreme weather. In the January to mid-March period there has been a similar number of rounds (4,451) as in the same whole Quarter in 2019 (4,591).

2.3   The ongoing course improvement works, including drainage and arboriculture, has contributed to an improving aesthetic as well as playing experience for golfers. Boundary works by both MBC and MyTime Active have helped to manage the public rights of way through and around the course.

Kent Life

2.4   The venue has introduced a new pricing structure where there is one standardised entry fee for all. A new, online ticketing system has been implemented.

2.5   Severe weather in February led to the site having to close for one day and there was some minor damage sustained. The poor weather impacted on half-term customer levels not least following a need to close the lower car park due to flooding.

2.6   The Environment Agency is still using part of the venue car park as their works are over-running. There has been some discussion with their contractor on compensation for their extended use of the area, but no outcome yet.

2.7   Leak issues in the artefact store have been resolved through roof maintenance and some remedial works have taken place to reduce cellar flooding; further investigations are in planning and a proactive insurance claim is being investigated still.

2.8   It was resolved at the last Committee meeting that Planning Solutions would be offered an extension to their current contract and legal documents are being prepared. The proposed extension would extend the contract end date from 2025 to 2030.

Cobtree Café

2.9   The operator has been required to carry out and has completed emergency plumbing works in the toilets. They are also required to resolve some maintenance issues there too, which will be completed in April.  MBC has completed some minor drainage improvements at the toilet entrance thresholds.

2.10 In terms of café business, the operator reported a Quarter 3 performance 34% better than the same period in 2019 and comparable with 2018; although during Covid in 2020 business was 26% higher than this year.

3.    AVAILABLE OPTIONS

3.1     Committee can note the information in this report.

3.2     Committee can choose not to note the information in this report; however the Committee has requested regular updates on the operations of the Estate.

4.        PREFERRED OPTION AND REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS

4.1     It is recommended that the information in this report is noted.

5.       RISK

5.1    This report is presented for information only and has no risk management implications.

6.       CONSULTATION RESULTS AND PREVIOUS COMMITTEE FEEDBACK

6.1     No consultation has taken place since the last update report.

7.    NEXT STEPS: COMMUNICATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DECISION

7.1   Any comments from the Committee will be passed on to the relevant party.

8.    REPORT APPENDICES

·               None

9.    BACKGROUND PAPERS

·           None