Agenda item

To update the Committee of the progress of the Indoor Donation Units.

The Committee received a reporting updating the Committee on the progress of the Indoor Donation Units.

The Committee considered the following matters:

a)            Cost of Units. The Assistant Head of Service (Streetcare) stated that the initial cost estimated for the donation units in the Park was £5000. She explained that the donation units had since been quoted at £800, with a final spend, including installation costs, etc, predicted to come to just less than £1000 overall, which was to be split evenly between the Committee and the Friends of Nonsuch. She clarified that the units would be indoor units, with an option for mobile use – she explained in large part the lower cost was a result of opting for indoor units over outdoor ones, as indoor units avoid the need for groundworks and underground cabling for power. She confirmed that Bovingdons had given approval for a donation unit to be located inside the café.

b)            Damages and Warranty. In response to a Member, the Assistant Head of Service (Streetcare) explained that the donation units were not being rented and were owned by the Committee. She had confidence that there was a low risk of the units becoming damaged or vandalised due to the fact that they were located indoors. She stated that, in the event that they do become damaged, the units were under warranty.

c)            Payment Method. Following a question from a Member, the Assistant Head of Service (Streetcare) confirmed that the donation units allowed for card payments only. She stated that, for Park users who wish to or are only able to donate to the Park via cash, the Nonsuch Voles had a cash box placed in the café.

d)            Units Display. The Assistant Head of Service (Streetcare) explained that the agreed fundraising objective agreed by the Committee would be displayed on the digital screen on the donation units, to inform Park users on what their donations will go towards. A Member suggested that the display ought to include a graph to show progress towards a fundraising target – the Assistant Head of Service (Streetcare) stated that she would investigate the possibility of including a progress graph.

e)            Review of Fundraising Objective. A Member enquired as to what the process would be for reviewing the fundraising objective and success of the donation units. The Assistant Head of Service (Streetcare) suggested that the Committee could receive a report on a semi-regular basis to allow opportunity to amend or change the fundraising objective. The Committee agreed that information on the success of the donation units would be included within the finance report brought to the January meeting.

f)             Fundraising Objective Considerations. The Committee considered the following:

·                     Repairs and Maintenance. The Committee considered that the fundraising objective could focus on repairs, maintenance, and general upkeep requirements within the Park. The Committee noted that Commercial Dog-Walkers at the recent consultation forum suggested they would be keen for CCTV within the Park’s car parks. The Committee considered that comments relating to the car parks, with respect to repair and maintenance needs, were frequently received from Park users.

·                     Arts, Culture and Heritage Projects. The Committee considered that the fundraising objective could focus on arts, culture and heritage projects within the Park. The Committee noted that the Friends of Nonsuch were keen for additional signage and information in the Park with respect to the Palace site. The Committee considered the positive public opinion on the recent wooden sculptures created in Bourne Hall’s grounds, and suggested that Park users would enjoy similar projects in Nonsuch Park.

Following consideration, Councillor Woolmer proposed that ‘Art and Information Installations, Repairs and Maintenance,’ be agreed as the first fundraising objective for the donation units. Councillor Freeman seconded the proposal.

Subsequently, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)      Note the progress of the project.

(2)      Agree ‘Art and Information Installations, Repairs and Maintenance,’ as the first fundraising objective for the launch of the Good Box Donation units.