Cobtree Manor Estate Charity Committee

 

 

Cobtree Manor Estate Update Report

 

Final Decision-Maker

Cobtree Manor Estate Charity Committee

 

Lead Head of Service/Lead Director

Head of Regeneration and Economic Development

Lead Officer and Report Author

Elizabeth Buckingham - Cobtree Manager

Classification

Public

 

Wards affected

Boxley

 

 

Executive Summary

 

The information in the report is intended to give the Committee an understanding of the day to day work of the Estate and the issues that affect its management. It also provides a record of all that is achieved across the different parts of the estate.

 

The estate update covers the period from when the Committee last met in November 2018.

 

This report makes the following recommendations to this Committee:

1)   That the contents of this report be noted.

 

 

 

Timetable

Meeting

Date

Cobtree Manor Estate Charity Committee

17th January 2019



Cobtree Manor Estate Update Report

 

 

1.           INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

 

1.1    This report covers the period from November 2018 to January 2019.

 

Cobtree Manor Park

 

1.2     Maintenance of the park over this period covers winter works

Works to the park include:

·         Pathway vegetation management

·         Removal of fallen trees

·         Bulb planting

·         Seasonal shrub pruning

·         Further tree works following survey recommendations

 

Events

 

1.3     An outline events programme for 2019 has been completed.

.

Community

 

1.4     The Men’s Shed Group continues to grow in numbers. Sales of wooden items such as bird boxes, insect houses and turned wooden bowls increased over the Christmas period.



Visitor Numbers

 

1.5     The vehicle counter suffered a further fault, failing to record vehicle movements after 11th November. The figures that were recorded up to that date do not appear to be credible, giving a total number of visitors for October 2018 as 42,395, a 70% increase on October 2017. In addition, the counter recorded vehicle movements of between 1000 and 2000 in a single hour on ten separate occasions. The possible reasons for the failure and unreliable recordings are being investigated with the manufacturer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cobtree Manor Park Visitor Numbers 2016-18

 

2016

Quarterly

% on previous year

2017

Quarterly

% on previous year

2018

Quarterly

% on previous year

Jan

15923

 

21652

 

9644

 

Feb

15798

 

19574

 

17940

 

Mar

18227

49948

-1.15

25676

66902

33.94

11768

39352

    -41.18

Apr

22144

 

30554

 

30444

 

May

29076

 

24952

 

34489

 

Jun

22031

73251

3.43

25694

81200

10.85

30519

95452

17.55

Jul

21043

 

31187

 

    33522

 

Aug

33192

 

37491

 

    45813

 

Sept

19468

73703

-5.57

23675

92353

25.3

    31009

110344

      19.48

Oct

15124

 

24995

 

   42395

 

Nov

17460

 

12290

 

 

 

Dec

18138

50722

36.57

16623

53908

6.28

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

247624

247624

 

294363

294363

 

 

 

 

 

 

Car park

 

1.6.1 Car park income for October and November saw a 13% increase compared to the same period in 2017. December’s income figures have not yet been released. Forty three annual car park passes were purchased during November and December.

 

1.6.2  Following the committee’s approval of the winning tender for car park improvements, pre-start meetings will be held in early January with a view to works commencing at the end of January.

 

Cafe and Visitor Centre update

 

 

1.7.1 A break-in occurred on 1st December. The front door was forced open and the empty safe was dragged out by a vehicle. Some drinks and confectionary were also stolen.

         The stockroom walls, ceiling and floor were damaged along with racking and furniture. Much stock had to be written off.

         Police attended but very little forensic evidence could be obtained. The CCTV images are being examined by the Police.

         The vehicle gained access via the golf course and in doing so caused damage to the playing surface.

         An assessment of all potential access points between the golf course and the park has been undertaken and sufficient large boulders have been sourced to narrow any gaps to prevent vehicle access by this route.

         A further security review is to be undertaken to consider further measures and a verbal update will be given at the meeting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cobtree Manor Golf Course

 

1.8.1  December 2018 was a very good month for the course as weather conditions were excellent. Food and Beverage saw a year on year increase with exceptional feedback on the food and some customers have already made bookings for Christmas parties in 2019. Retail is down due to the pro shop being made smaller to accommodate the wellbeing room. The golf pro will be starting Get Active In Golf in February, a structured, six week programme for all ages and abilities.

1.8.2  Rounds Played

 

Dec -17

Dec - 18

Difference

Rounds Played

1,623

1936

+313

Footgolf

32

0

-32

 

 

 

 

 

1.8.3    Marketing, Campaigns & Events

The planning application for the new club house and redesign of the course will be considered by committee on 31st January and the outcome of this will determine the marketing of the events programme for 2019

1.8.4   The Cobtree Wellbeing Programme

 

Figures and KPIs for the second quarter September-December are not yet available but a verbal update will be given at the meeting.

 

A hHealth and wWellbeing eEvent will be held at Cobtree the golf course on January 18th with taster sessions, free health checks, nutrition information and the opportunity to find out more information. This will largely be promoted through social media.

Kent Life Farm Attraction

1.9.1   Visitor Numbers

 

 Third quarter figures have not yet been made available. A verbal update will be given at the meeting.

 

1.9.2   Maintenance

 A recent inspection of the Play Barn has shown the timber to be infected with wood boring, death watch and furniture beetles. The Play Barn will have to be shut for 2two weeks in January to enable the specialists to carry out treatment.

 

Cobtree Railway

 

1.10.1 Planning Solutions, operators of Kent Life have been working on marketing and revenue forecasts in order to produce an updated business plan on which to base a decision to continue with the project.

 

 






 

 

1.11     AVAILABLE OPTIONS

 

1.11.1 The committee could choose not to note the information contained in this reports, however the committee has requested regular updates on the operations on the estate.

 

1.12    PREFERRED OPTION AND REASONS FOR   
 RECOMMENDATIONS

 

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

 

 

 

1.13  RISK

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

 

1.14   CONSULTATION RESULTS AND PREVIOUS COMMITTEE FEEDBACK

 

1.14.1  No consultation has taken place since the last report.

 

 

1.15  NEXT STEPS: COMMUNICATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE
         DECISION

 

1.15.1 Any comments from the Committee will be passed on to the relevant  
   parties.

 

 

 

2         CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES AND IMPLICATIONS

 

 

Issue

Implications

Sign-off

Impact on Corporate Priorities

The work of the charity links directly to its charitable objects and the corporate priorities of the Council.

Head of

Regeneration

and Economic

Development

Risk Management

Risks to running the estate are

dealt with in the annual Estate

Risk Management Report.

 

Financial

Financial risks are considered in the ongoing finance updates.

 

 

Equalities

No Implications

 

 

3         REPORT APPENDICES

 

·         None

 

 

4         BACKGROUND PAPERS

 

·         None