THE CHARITY KNOWN AS COBTREE MANOR ESTATE

COBTREE MANOR ESTATE CHARITY COMMITTEE

12 AUGUST 2009

REPORT OF THE COBTREE OFFICER

Report Prepared by: Brian Latimer – Cobtree Officer

1.                           COBTREE MANOR ESTATE – PROVISION OF REPLACEMENT GATES

1.1                        Issue for Decision

1.1.1                   To consider whether or not to accept the offer from the Cobtree Charity Trust Limited to provide replacement gates for the entrance to Cobtree Manor Park at no cost to the Charity.

1.2                        Recommendation of the Cobtree Officer

1.2.1                   It is recommended that Members:

(i)       Endorse the design proposed by, and accept the kind offer from, the Cobtree Charity Trust Limited to provide replacement gates to the entrance of Cobtree Manor Park at no cost to the Charity; and,

(ii)     Decline the offer of additional signage at this stage unless it can be agreed to be temporary until the master plan has been agreed and the overall theme for the park has been established and agreed.

1.3                        Reasons for Recommendation

1.3.1                   At the last meeting of the Committee Members will recall that the visiting representatives of the Cobtree Charity Trust indicated that an offer had been made to the Council for the Trust to provide replacement gates for the Cobtree Manor Park at its own expense.  It was resolved that the Officers be requested to submit a report to the Cobtree Charity Committee at the earliest opportunity regarding the offer made by the Cobtree Charity Trust Ltd to install, at its own expense, gates and signage at the Forstal Road entrance to the Rural Park.

1.3.2                   Councillor Greer undertook to meet with representatives of the Cobtree Charity Trust Limited to review the proposed design, to hold discussions with the planning officers to determine whether there would be any planning implications, and to liaise with the Cobtree Officer to ensure that a report in submitted to the next available meeting.

1.3.3                   A sketch of the proposed design for the gates is attached at Appendix A.

1.3.4                   Councillor Greer met with the planning officers and has confirmed that the design is considered acceptable and will not require any further consents.

1.3.5                   Members will notice that a height restriction barrier is included in the design, and although this detracts from the aesthetics of the design, it is a very important element to control access to the site by larger vehicles.

1.3.6                   Once the gates are in place arrangements will need to be made for their opening and closure; negotiations are being conducted with local security personnel and the operatives working at the café to provide this service at minimal, if any, cost to the Charity.

1.3.7                   The contractor appointed to prepare the master plan for the future development and enhancement of the Cobtree Manor Park has been informed of the proposal, and he has acknowledged that the gates will not detract from the overall design and has suggested they should be pursued without delay. 

1.3.8                   Members may also recall that the representatives from the Cobtree Charity Trust Limited indicated the provision of accompanying signage.  Attached at Appendix B is an illustration of the proposed sign.  This was also discussed with the consultant who suggested that no further action be taken on the provision of permanent signage until the overall theme for the design has been agreed.  It is, therefore, recommended that Members decline any offer for replacement signage at this stage, unless it can be agreed to be of a temporary nature.

1.4                        Alternative Action and why not Recommended

1.4.1                   The alternative action is to refuse the offer of the replacement gates, but this would not be in the best interest of the Charity as gates will need to be provided in the near future to increase the security of the site over night.

1.5                        Impact on Charity Objects

1.5.1                   The provision of replacement gates will help make the site more secure and potentially discourage the present anti-social activities that take place in the late evening and hours of darkness.

1.6                        Risk Management

1.6.1                   The provision of replacement gates will enhance the security of the site and design of the gates will include measures to prevent their removal.

1.7                        Other Implications

1.7.1                            

1.7.2                   The offer from the Cobtree Charity Trust Limited is for the gates to be provided and installed at no cost to the Charity.

1.7.3                   The security of the site will increase community safety by discouraging anti-social behaviour during the hours of darkness.

1.7.4                   The gates are to be procured by the Cobtree Charity Trust Limited.

Background Documents