THE CHARITY KNOWN AS COBTREE MANOR ESTATE

COBTREE MANOR ESTATE CHARITY COMMITTEE

9^th NOVEMBER 2011

JOINT REPORT OF THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF REGULATORY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES AND THE COBTREE OFFICER

Report Prepared by: Jason Taylor – Parks and Leisure Manager

1.                           7 AGES SCULPTURE RELOCATION TO COBTREE MANOR PARK

1.1                        Issue for Decision

1.1.1                   Following the relocation of the Kent County Library by Kent County Council the 7 Ages Sculpture by Will Glandfield which is currently situated in Springfield is no longer required at the site. The sculpture has been offered to Cobtree Park to display in its grounds.

1.2                        Recommendation of the Cobtree Officer

1.2.1                   It is recommended that Members:

(i)       Approve the relocation of the 7 Ages Sculpture by Will Glanfield to Cobtree Manor Park;

(ii)     Agree to the area where the sculpture will be relocated; and,

(iii)    Agree to the total cost of up to £700 to relocate the sculpture.

1.3                        Reasons for Recommendation

1.3.1                   Following the relocation of the Kent County Library from Springfield Maidstone the Seven Ages Sculpture by Will Glanfield which was originally installed in 1996 is no longer required on the site. The sculpture in its current location can be seen in Appendix 1.

1.3.2                   Following Conversations between Maidstone Officers and Kent County Council Officers the sculpture has been offered to Cobtree Rural Park to exhibit in its grounds.
The artist Will Glanfield describes the sculptures as follows: “Seven Ages engages with aspects of time: continuity and unity, growth and learning, development and change. It makes reference to the cycles and seasons of life in the form of seven 'books', each carved to depict a particular stage in the yearly cycle of plants, but also suggesting the stages throughout a lifetime. Each book can be seen as anthropomorphic, with spines running down their backs, and linked arms or limbs. The sculpture forms an unbroken ring, with a seat placed between the beginning and end of the continuous cycle, a place to dwell and contemplate. The sculpture's polygonal design reflects the library's shape.”

1.3.3                   Kent County Council has agreed to the relocation of the sculpture as long as the relocation costs are met by the Cobtree Estate Charity Committee and Mr Glanfield approves the new site and oversees the relocation.

1.3.4                   The proposed site for the sculptures to be relocated in Cobtree Manor Park is shown in Appendix 2. It was necessary to relocate the sculpture to a flat site which is why the proposed site is suitable. This new location will be demonstrated to committee members during the estate walk taking place on 11^th November, 2011.

1.3.5                   Following negotiations with Mr Glanfield and Maidstone Borough Services, who would remove the sculpture from its current location, prepare the new base in the park and install the sculpture; the estimated cost of the relocation is £700.

1.4                        Alternative Action and why not Recommended

1.4.1                   The alternative course of would be to not approve the relocation of the Seven Ages Statue. This is not recommended as the opportunity to acquire a piece of art work such as this does not present itself very often. The artwork will provide a point of interest in the park and will also fit in with the forthcoming implementation of the Cobtree Master Plan.

1.5                        Impact on Charity Objects

1.5.1                   The essence of the forthcoming master plan is to seek to better meet the objects of the Charity by increasing the attractiveness of the Manor Park and thus the number of visitors. The installation of this sculpture will provide another attraction which will attract further visitors to Cobtree Manor Park.

1.6                        Risk Management

1.6.1                   There is a risk that the sculpture could get damaged whilst being moved to its new location. This will be minimised by this work being overseen by Mr Glanfield.

1.7                        Other Implications

1.7.1                            

1.7.2           Financial – There will be a maximum cost of £700 to relocate the 7 ages sculpture from Springfield Maidstone to Cobtree Manor Rural Park, as explained in this report.

Background Documents

Appendix 1

Seven Ages in its current location at Springfield, Maidstone.

Sculpture when originally installed in 1996 with Will Glanfield (artist)

Appendix 2

Proposed Location of Seven Ages Sculpture in Cobtree Manor Park