Agenda item

This report updates the Joint Management Committee on the progress of outstanding matters.

A report was received by the Joint Management Committee which updated members on progress regarding various outstanding matters.

Farmer Memorial

The Joint Management Committee was delighted to note that the reinstatement work was underway and was due for completion by the end of February.

It was requested that the bollard to protect the newly restored memorial be installed before the reinstatement works were complete.

Asset Management Plan Working Party

It was confirmed that agents had been appointed to seek an office tenant who would be willing to refurbish the first floor of the Mansion House and that there had been some interest in this.  It was further confirmed that this space did not include the Clock Room.  It was also confirmed that the fireplaces on the first floor were included in the listed status enjoyed by the Mansion.  It was queried whether or not it would be possible to look into the feasibility of escorted tours or some other mechanism to allow the public to view these heritage assets.

Heritage Lottery Fund

It was noted that discussions of the Working Party to date had centred on either developing a Parks for People bid for the park or a Heritage Grant for the upper floors of the Mansion House.  The report informed the Committee that, should there be a strong indication in the coming months that the upper floors of the Mansion House could be successfully let on a commercial basis whilst preserving their heritage aspects, then it was proposed to concentrate on a Parks for People bid.  A Stage One application could be lodged as early as February 2017, subject to sufficient match funding being identified.  The Heritage Lottery Fund would be looking for a minimum financial contribution of 10%.  However, voluntary work could contribute to the remaining matched funding required, being treated as a financial contribution in kind.

The JMC discussed the possibility of attracting corporate sponsorship for the park, (such as the sponsorship of flower beds), and asked that this be looked into by the Asset Management Working Party.

Walnut Grove

This had been planted and looked good.  It was confirmed that a letter of thanks had been written to Mr. Ford of Epsom and Ewell’s Tree Advisory Board.  Mr. Ford had donated the Walnut Trees and had been instrumental in their planting.

Sustainable Planting

Sustainable planting was not a new idea and had many benefits – not in the least being cost effective.  The number of beds laid out with traditional bedding plants would be reduced to three over a five year period.  The colour scheme for the sustainable planting would be purple and white.  However, the three beds closest to the Mansion House – the Round Bed, the Square Bed and the Library Bed – would retain seasonal bedding.

The Committee noted a report tabled by Frances Wright regarding butterfly recording in the Park and the request to bear in mind sensory planting in the Mansion House gardens.  Sensory planting, whilst benefiting butterflies was also attractive to people, particularly the visually impaired.  The Committee was informed by Epsom and Ewell’s Street Care Manager that she was aware that grant funding of up to £5,000 was available to community groups from one of the large supermarkets following the introduction of the 5 pence carrier bag levy and suggested that this might be a project that the Nonsuch VOLES might possibly consider.

A brief update was requested regarding making the park dementia friendly. Epsom and Ewell’s Streetcare Manager confirmed that she would be setting up a meeting with Lorraine Backshall from the Alzheimer’s Society (whose contact she had been given by the Manager of Epsom and Ewell Borough Council’s Wellbeing Centre) to discuss issues affecting those with dementia. She hoped to be able to report back to the next meeting.  Councillor Graham Dudley asked if he could attend this meeting and it was agreed that this matter should become a regular update item on the Progress Report.

Update from Volunteer Groups

Mr. Airey of Nonsuch VOLES informed the Committee that a follow-up inspection and clearance had been undertaken of the culverts running behind Wickham Avenue.  These were doing their job but it was disappointing to report that in one instance the culvert had been blocked by a make-shift bridge and in another instance, garden waste had been thrown over the park boundary.  It was agreed that Officers would liaise with Ward Councillors to consider how best to address the problem.

Mr. Smith of the Friends of Nonsuch reported that the gallery remained open every Sunday and the Friends had been busy repainting and redecorating and where making plans for their Silver Jubilee.  Epsom and Ewell’s Streetcare Manager reported that a feature bed was being planned this year to celebrate this event.

The significant number of hours put in by volunteers did not go unnoticed