Verbal Update from the Interim Head of Service (Streetcare) on matters arising in the Park
The Interim Assistant Head of Service (Streetcare) shall provide the Committee with a verbal update on the following matters:
- Installation of Height Restriction Barriers
- Donation Units
- Playground Project
- Dog Walking Licensing Scheme
- Cheam Charter Fair Joint Event
Minutes:
The Environment and Sustainability Officer, Mark Rachwal, and Interim Assistant Head of Service (Streetcare), Sam Whitehead, provided the Committee with a verbal update on matters arising in the Park.
The Environment and Sustainability Officer informed the Committee on the following matters:
a) He stated that solar panels had been installed on various Council buildings, including the Epsom Playhouse and Bourne Hall, and that buildings in Nonsuch Park had been investigated for their viability for solar panel installation. He explained that the mansion house came with significant challenges, including the building being listed, and not enough flat areas on its roof. He explained that the tractor shed roof had been deemed suitable, and was close enough to the mansion that energy could be directed for use at the mansion – he stated that the number of panels appropriate to install on the tractor shed roof would cover an estimated third of the energy currently used at the mansion. He estimated that this would equate to savings of c.9-10k a year, with less than five years to pay back the c.£40k installation costs.
b) In response to a question from a Member, he stated that it would likely be unviable to sell the energy produced by the solar panels as they would not produce enough energy. He advised that the energy would be better used for the purposes of powering the mansion.
c) In response to a question from a Member, he stated that it was intended that the cost of the solar panels and their installation would be covered by grant funding.
d) He wished to clarify that the Committee were not being asked at this meeting to agree to the installation of any solar panels or approve any costs – he was just providing an update on the findings of the investigations conducted so far.
The Interim Assistant Head of Service (Streetcare) informed the Committee on the following matters:
a) She stated that the application to the Sutton CIL bid for height restriction barriers at the three Park entrances had been successful – the barriers had been funded and would be installed soon.
b) She stated that work towards the Donation Units and Dog Walking Licensing scheme was on track, and both would be launching soon. She stated that publicity for the licensing scheme was due to go out in January, with the scheme starting soon after.
c) She stated that progress on the Trim Trail was going well, and that it would hopefully be installed ready for Easter time.
d) She stated that she had spoken with the coordinators of the Cheam Charter Fair. She explained that the Cheam Charter Fair was run on grant funding. She stated that it might be possible for the coordinators to run market stands in the Park as part of the Fair, but full profits would go the Fair coordinators.