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MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL
COBTREE MANOR ESTATE COMMITTEE
11 JANUARY 2012
REPORT OF THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENT AND REGULATORY SERVICES
Report prepared by Joanna Joyce, Acting Cobtree Officer
1. Park Rangers progress report
1.1 Issue for Decision
1.1.1 To consider work of the Park Ranger at Cobtree Manor Park.
1.2 Recommendation of the Assistant Director of Environment and Regulatory Services and of the Acting Cobtree Officer
1.2.1 It is recommended that the Committee note the actions taken by the Park Ranger and the future work set out in Appendix A to the report.
1.2.2 It is recommended that the Committee endorses the draft programme of events for the coming year 2012 as set out in Appendix A to this report, and approves the inclusion of the sum of £2,200.00 in the draft estimates of accounts to cover the cost of engaging external event leaders.
1.2.3 It is recommended that the Committee endorses the increase in leaflets detailing events from 2000 to 3000 for 2012, and approves the inclusion of the sum of £450 in the draft estimates of accounts to cover the cost of design and printing.
1.3 Reasons for Recommendation
1.3.1 The
Committee previously resolved to receive a progress report on the work of the
Park Ranger at each meeting. Attached at Appendix A is the report for the
most recent period.
1.3.2 The
Committees attention is drawn to the 7 Ages sculpture for which installation
is due to be completed in January.
1.3.3 Set out in Appendix B is the draft programme of events for the coming year; which builds on the success of the programme of 2011. It should be noted that a number of events require the engagement of external leaders; as a result there is a request that the sum of £2,200 be included in the draft estimates for 2012/13 to meet the costs involved.
1.3.4 The Ranger has requested that the number of leaflets printed is increased from 2000 in 2011 to 3000 for 2012. This is because the supply ran out in early autumn this year. The leaflet also contains a map of the park and so is also useful for general park visitors. The success of the events programme for 2011 is also likely to mean an increase in demand for leaflets for 2012.
1.4 Alternative Action and why not Recommended
1.4.1 The alternative course of action is to reject the request for endorsements contained within the report. This is not recommended as the recommendations are in the best interests of the future management of Cobtree Manor Park.
1.5 Impact on Corporate Objectives
1.5.1 The work of the Park Ranger directly supports the achievement of the Charitys objectives.
1.6 Risk Management
1.6.1 There are no additional risks to the Charity arising from this report.
1.7 Other Implications
1.7.1
1. Financial
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2. Staffing
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3. Legal
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4. Equality Impact Needs Assessment
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5. Environmental/Sustainable Development
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6. Community Safety
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7. Human Rights Act
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8. Procurement
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9. Asset Management
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1.7.2 There is a request in the report for the inclusion of £2,200 in the draft estimates for 2012/13 for the engagement of external event leaders.
1.7.3 There is a request in the report for the inclusion of £450 in the draft estimates for 2012/13 for the design and printing of the events leaflet.
1.7.4 The Ranger will run a number of the events as part of her day to day duties.
1.8 Relevant Documents
There are none.
1.8.1 Appendices
Appendix A - Rangers Progress update October to December 2011.
Appendix B - Draft Programme of Events.
1.8.2 Background Documents
Cobtree Manor Park Management Plan
How to Comment
Should you have any comments on the issue that is being considered please contact either the relevant Officer or the Member of the Executive who will be taking the decision.
Cllr John A Wilson Cobtree Manor Estate Committee Chairman
Telephone: 01622 720989
E-mail: JohnAWilson@maidstone.gov.uk
Joanna Joyce Cobtree Officer
Telephone: 01622 602719 E-mail: JoannaJoyce@maidstone.gov.uk
IS THIS A KEY DECISION REPORT?
Yes No
If yes, when did it first appear in the Forward Plan?
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This is a Key Decision because: ..
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Wards/Parishes affected: ..
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APPENDIX A
RANGERS UPDATE OCTOBER DECEMBER 2011
1. ON GOING PROJECTS
1.1 Events
In November night-time guided walks were undertaken around the park by two groups of local Beavers (children aged 6-11) in order to obtain a badge. This event was attended by 45 children and 17 adults. This has generated interest from Scout and Guide leaders who may run some of their activities at Cobtree next year.
In the draft events programme for 2012 the number of events increased from 25 to 29, with three new titles. See Appendix 3.
1.2 Community involvement
Volunteer work and student placements are on-going.
1.3 Publicity and marketing
The book Sir Garrard Tyrwhitt-Drake and the Cobtree Estate, Maidstone by Elizabeth Melling is now available for sale from Cobtree Cabin.
1.4 Park maintenance and development
· Winter maintenance of trees and shrubs; pruning, coppicing, removal of rogue trees from ornamental shrubberies (on-going).
· Winter maintenance of access routes; woodchip on paths, edging of paths and car park etc. (on-going).
· Relocation of 7 Ages sculpture by Will Glanfield, donated by KCC (in progress due to be installed in January).
· Clearance of the contents of Elephant House (completed).
· Crown reduction of large oak tree in prominent location, work by specialist arboricultural contractor (completed).
2. Further work planned for the winter period
· Pruning of trees and shrubs.
· Coppicing selected shrubberies.
· Reducing shrubs and ivy on and around the Elephant House.
· Planting trees donated by Boxley Parish.
· Updating the Cobtree Manor Park webpage.
· Preparing a list of trees and shrubs in the park to be available to the public via the new webpage.
· Updating the Cobtree Manor Park leaflet for 2012.
APPENDIX B
Draft Events Diary 2012
2012 EVENTS PROGRAMME AT COBTREE MANOR PARK |
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No. |
DATE |
DAY |
TITLE |
AUDIENCE |
PROVIDER |
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APRIL |
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1 |
04/04/2012 |
Wed |
Family Wildlife Walk |
Family |
MVCP |
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2 |
07/04/2012 |
Sat |
Nature Detectives - High Tech Easter Trail |
Family |
MVCP |
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3 |
26/04/2012 |
Thurs |
Ramble with Ranger |
11+ |
MBC |
||||
4 |
28/04/2012 |
Sun |
Ramble with Ranger |
11+ |
MBC |
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MAY |
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5 |
tbc |
Early Birds |
11+ |
volunteer |
|||||
6 |
10/05/2012 |
Thurs |
Spring Tucker in the Countryside NEW |
16+ |
MBC |
||||
7 |
13/05/2012 |
Sun |
Spring Tucker in the Countryside NEW |
16+ |
MBC |
||||
8 |
20/05/2012 |
Sun |
Basic Birds - an Introduction |
11+ |
MVCP |
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9 |
27/05/2012 |
Sun |
Gert and Daisy - the Story of Maidstone Zoo |
16+ |
volunteer |
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JUNE |
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10 |
08/06/2012 |
Fri |
Mini-beast Safari |
Family |
MVCP |
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11 |
16/06/2012 |
Sat |
Gert and Daisy - the Story of Maidstone Zoo |
16+ |
volunteer |
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12 |
21/06/2012 |
Thurs |
Trees of the British Isles |
11+ |
MBC |
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13 |
24/06/2012 |
Sun |
Trees of the British Isles |
11+ |
MBC |
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JULY |
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14 |
01/07/2012 |
Sun |
Mini-beast Safari |
Family |
MVCP |
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15 |
05/07/2012 |
Thurs |
Gert and Daisy - the Story of Maidstone Zoo |
16+ |
volunteer |
||||
16 |
19/07/2012 |
Thurs |
Trees from Around the World |
11+ |
MBC |
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17 |
22/07/2012 |
Sun |
Trees from Around the World |
11+ |
MBC |
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18 |
27/07/2012 |
Fri |
Wild Creatures of the Night |
Family |
MVCP |
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AUGUST |
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19 |
05/08/2012 |
Sun |
Gert and Daisy - the Story of Maidstone Zoo |
16+ |
volunteer |
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20 |
08/08/2012 |
Wed |
Family Wildlife Day NEW |
Family |
MVCP |
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21 |
15/08/2012 |
Wed |
Family Wildlife Day NEW |
Family |
MVCP |
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22 |
22/08/2012 |
Wed |
Ramble with Ranger |
11+ |
MBC |
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23 |
29/08/2012 |
Wed |
Ramble with Ranger |
11+ |
MBC |
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24 |
24/08/2012 |
Fri |
Bats at Cobtree (European Bat Weekend) |
Family |
MVCP |
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SEPTEMBER |
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OCTOBER |
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25 |
04/10/2012 |
Thurs |
Berried Treasures of Late Summer |
11+ |
MBC |
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26 |
07/10/2012 |
Sun |
Berried Treasures of Late Summer |
11+ |
MBC |
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27 |
18/10/2012 |
Thurs |
Cobtree Estate Ramble NEW |
16+ |
MBC |
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28 |
21/10/2012 |
Sun |
Cobtree Estate Ramble NEW |
16+ |
MBC |
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29 |
30/10/2012 |
Tue |
Autumn Forage |
11+ |
MVCP |
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