Agenda item

To receive an update on Forty Hall.

Received an update report from Marcus (Harvey Head of Parks, Open Spaces and Leisure) on Forty Hall.

The following comments were received:

·       What future proofing of grass is in place now that the winter months are upon us and damage caused from extreme weather conditions?

·       Biodiversity discussions are still ongoing and due to the challenges faced over the summer with the extreme heat, a reduction in cutting the grass is deemed necessary at present as the grass is continuing to grow.  This will be further reviewed and monitored in line with growth once the growing season has finished.

·       In terms of Encroachment, to restore the characteristics of the area, further work is required to remove saplings and cut down the canopy growth.  This additional work is labour intensive and there is heavy reliance on volunteers to support this extra work.

·       Discussions were held about the vastness of the overall project at Forty Hall in relation to the entirety of the estate in relation to maintenance of the two listed buildings, parks and the home farm, vineyard, orchard, food production, the four residential properties, the football academy, and the fishing lake. 

·       A more detailed management plan was requested, and it was agreed that this would be put in place once Officer discussions in this regard are held at the early party of October.

·       Regarding smaller animals such as goats on the estate for the future, advice was received that a practical view on cattle is in place to consider risk to the public, especially children visiting the estate.  Also, there are regular fires and tree cutting which could in turn frighten wildlife although newts are still evident locally, but this does not pose a threat.

·       A question was asked as to whether Forty Hall is currently running positively or negatively in terms of its total operation.  

·       In response the management plan details the pressures to be focussed on in terms of urgent maintenance and overall upkeep.  Heritage sites are often seen as requiring maintenance although they are not necessarily in deterioration mode, although the huge footfall should be considered.  Contractors are tendered depending on their expertise of work, and heritage sites are viewed differently due to the nature of the restoration work necessary.  Therefore, the budget implications cannot be compared for both.  The management plan allows for prioritisation of the site, with the driving force being always health and safety. 

·       An update on the anti-social behaviour at Forty Hall was requested, to include the car park issues, closure of the main white gate.  A revisit of the management plan was requested to include updates from the Antisocial Behaviour team. This was agreed.

·       With the increase of events at the site, litter issues were discussed, as Friends of the Forty Hall Park are heavily involved in this aspect, especially over the summer months up until 8pm. 

·       In response, many areas have seen improvements in this respect and the was management policies are currently being reviewed to consider management of waste more efficiently with further education and better communications.  Officers to organise a site visit with the Friends of the Park in this respect.

·       The CCTV team will look at installing more CCTV cameras following the Forty Hall feasibility study.

·       A report on the position of the bees at Forty Hall to be emailed by way of a regular update.