Agenda and minutes

To appoint a Chair for Nonsuch Park Joint Management Committee from Councillors representing Sutton Council for the Municipal Year 2020/2021

Councillor Jenny Batt (Sutton District Council) was appointed Chair of the Nonsuch Park Joint Management Committee for the 2020/2021 Municipal Year.

Members are asked to declare the existence and nature of any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests in respect of any item of business to be considered at the meeting.

No declarations of interest were made by Councillors in items on this agenda.

The Committee is asked to confirm as a true record the Minutes of the Meeting of the Nonsuch Park Joint Management Committee held on 24 February 2020.

The Minutes of the Nonsuch Park Joint Management Committee held on 24 February were agreed as a true record and the Committee authorised the Chair to sign them.

The Committee noted the following matters with regards to the Minutes:

The draft strategic plan for the Nonsuch Park Joint Management Committee that was to be submitted to the meeting of the Committee held on 22 June had been postponed. This was due to the plan consisting of large projects of non-essential expenditure that have been put on hold as a result of Covid-19.

The Committee asked Officers to present a report setting out a forward plan of work for the Committee to a future meeting. The Committee also requested Officers to present an update on the strategic planning work for the Park to a future meeting.

To seek permission to purchase 30 replacement litter bins from the Nonsuch Park Joint Management Committee’s repairs and renewals fund.

The Committee received a report requesting permission to purchase 30 replacement litter bins from the Nonsuch Park Joint Management Committee’s repairs and renewals fund.

A presentation was given by Epsom and Ewell Councils Streetcare Manager.

The following points were raised by Councillors:

Recycling

Members spoke about the possibility of having separate bins for dog waste, and highlighted risk of contamination that would come with it.

Extra bins

Councillors spoke about the possibility of proposing purchasing 2 extra bins funded by the money saved through not choosing to have logos. This was formally considered and support was expressed for such a proposal.

Relocation of bins

It was highlighted that the proposed relocation of bins will make collections easier and swifter, as the new locations are around the outskirts of Nonsuch Park as opposed to deep within the Park.

Litter picking

Councillors noted the implications involved with regular litter picks. Each kit costs the Joint Management Committee £25, and are currently only available to volunteers in Epsom due to costs to deliver to Sutton volunteers. Councillors spoke about the possibility of using the Nonsuch Park Café as a drop-off and collection service to pick up the litter picking kits.

Following consideration, Committee Members resolved that the Committee:

(1)      Approved the request to purchase 30 replacement litter bins funded from the repairs and renewals fund as set out in paragraph 3.1

(2)      Considered whether the litter bins should have a logo on them or not, and selected the following option:

Option 1: Derby Standard bins with ashtrays, gold and green, with laser cut text.

A further proposal was made to purchase two extra bins funded by the money saved from not choosing to have logos. This was agreed unanimously.

This item presents the Joint Management Committee’s final accounts for the

financial year 2019/20

The Committee received a report setting out the Final Accounts for the municipal year 2019/2020.

The report highlighted that the last day of the financial year was 31 March 2020 and therefore saw no material impact of Covid-19 due to lock down beginning very late in the year on 23 March 2020.

It was noted that there was an overall deficit of £16,000, mainly due to one off variances. These included £11,000 for cleaning, as a result of competitive tendering process when taking on the new contract. The new contract also included additional toilet cleaning to ensure they are maintained to an acceptable standard.

A £9,000 overspend on electricity was noted. This was due to the bill being based on estimated readings taken in September, and as a result of Covid-19, updated readings have not been taken. When readings can be taken, it is expected for a reduction to be seen in the cost. Any overspend will then be refunded to the Nonsuch Park Joint Management Committee’s account.

It was noted that although the Committee’s reserves have decreased from £101,000 to £85,000, the variances have been addressed for the forthcoming years’ budget and are not expected to continue.

The recent Callover meeting of the Committee requested a review of the impact of Covid-19 in the current year. It was noted that the Committee receives £147,000 a year in rental income from its tenants of Bovingdons and Nursery Lodge. It has been agreed to allow tenants to defer a quarters rental payments until later in the year to help them with cash flow. There will only be a risk of impact should tenants find themselves unable to continue with their rent payments; however the Committee has reserves of £85,000 to mitigate impact should the need arise.

Following consideration:

It was recommended that the Joint Management Committee:-

(1)      Received the final accounts for 2019/20

Accordingly the Committee received the final accounts for 2019/2020.