To consider further options for the future opening and closing of the gates at the entrance to the Cobtree Manor Park.

1.  That Sight and Sound Security Services be engaged by a written contract to be in such terms as approved by the Head of Legal Services to open and close the gates at Cobtree Manor Park for an initial period of one year at an estimated cost of £11,500 (including a sum to cover additional charges for releasing vehicles locked in the Park after the gates are closed) and that the estimates for the financial year 2010/11 be adjusted accordingly.

2.  That agreement be given in principle to the implementation of arrangements to recover where possible from the individuals concerned the additional costs of releasing vehicles locked in the Park after the advertised time for closure.

The Committee, at its meeting held on 15 January 2010, was advised that the arrangements for the opening and closing of the newly erected gates at the Cobtree Manor Park had not come about as anticipated.  The Committee agreed expenditure of £4,000 in the 2009/10 financial year for the opening and closing of the gates by the Council’s Direct Service Organisation and requested that a further report be submitted at the earliest opportunity addressing the arrangements from April 2010 onwards.

It was suggested that it might be possible, through further discussions, to reach an agreement with the Café operator regarding the opening of the gates.  This has not proved possible and quotations have been obtained from prospective contractors for the opening and closing of the gates on a daily basis.  Details are set out in the exempt Appendix to the report of the Cobtree Officer.

From previous experience of locking park gates at night, it is considered important to have a facility for the release of vehicles where the owners have not left the site by the advertised time.  This will result in an additional cost to the Charity.  However, provided that appropriate signage is in place to advise the public of the consequences of not leaving the car park by the advertised time, it may be possible to pass the additional cost on to the motorist concerned.  The Officers will seek to implement such arrangements as may be necessary to recover where possible the additional cost so as to protect the interests of the Charity.

The provision of a budget to cover this service will result in a reduction in the resources available at year end to contribute to the repayment of the Charity’s liability to the Borough Council.

The alternative course of action is to leave the gates unlocked at night.  This is not considered appropriate as the incidences of undesirable activity will not diminish with unrestricted access to the Park.