Decision details

Happy Mount Park- Masterplan- 2015-2025

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Decisions:

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor David Smith)

 

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Officer (Environment) to seek approval for the Happy Mount Park Master Plan 2015-2025.

 

The options, options analysis, including risk assessment and officer preferred option, were set out in the report as follows:

 

 

Option 1: Approve the master plan for delivery

Option 2: Continue without a master plan

Advantages

The master plan helps focus current and future resources on areas and attractions that will enhance the park. (i.e. the current balance of green space to hard landscape should be maintained or enhanced; Wildlife should be encouraged focusing on the areas identified within the plan; The park does not have capacity for an increase in users during peak times, therefore, additional events, etc. should focus on enhancing the length of the day (i.e. evening or morning usage or extending the season).

 

The plan will also help support applications to external funders to preserve and enhance the park.

The opportunities to preserve and enhance the park through additional funding support would be very much reduced.

 

There would be no clear guidance to the development of the park.  This can be particularly difficult when considering new opportunities.

Disadvantages

 

Less potential for external funding opportunities.

Risks

Funding for development is not secured.  If the volunteer groups disband it would be difficult for the council to obtain funding from external sources.

The park may slip into decline without proper forward planning.

 

The preferred option is option 1.  The park is very popular and well used and it is important to have a plan for the future to ensure it remains popular.  The three identified operational issues; toilets, car parking and pathways should be noted.

 

Councillor Smith proposed, seconded by Councillor Hanson:-

 

“That the recommendations, as set out in the report, be approved.”

 

Councillors then voted:-

 

Resolved unanimously:

(1)             That the new master plan for Happy Mount Park 2015-2025 be approved.

(2)             That decisions relating to the delivery of the master plan be delegated to the Chief Officer (Environment), in line with financial regulations.

(3)             That, where appropriate, the City Council acts as accountable body for external funding that is raised to deliver the master plan and that the Chief Officer (Environment) is authorised to bid for, where appropriate, and accept external funding that contributes to the master plan in line with financial regulations.

(4)             That Cabinet endorses the use of the renewals reserve for the replacement of paths in the park over a 5 year period.

(5)             That Cabinet notes the efforts of volunteers in Happy Mount Park and many other Parks and areas of open space in the District and expresses thanks for the ongoing contribution they make.

Officer responsible for effecting the decision:

 

Chief Officer (Environment)

 

Reasons for making the decision:

 

The decision is consistent with the City Council’s ‘Clean, Green and Safe places’ priority.  The master plan will assist in allocating current and future resources within the park, to both preserve the park and enhance its assets. With the Council’s commitment to the future of the park and a thriving ‘Friends of’ group there is a realistic prospect of the master plan being delivered.

 

Report author: Mark Davies

Publication date: 19/02/2015

Date of decision: 17/02/2015

Decided at meeting: 17/02/2015 - Cabinet

Effective from: 27/02/2015

Accompanying Documents: