Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services detailing the future management proposals for the Countryside Estate.

To receive a report and presentation from the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services regarding the future management of the countryside estate.

The Committee received the report and presentation from the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services (Item 7 in the Minute Book) considering future management options for the Countryside Estate.

Members were pleased to hear of the Countryside Service plans to transform its operational approach to become increasingly flexible and agile to adapt to changes in funding available following any potential loss of EU funding. This included exploring opportunities for sold services, investigating the possibility of implementing car parking charges, smarter use of existing income and some work looking at improving productivity and identifying how volunteer time is best used.

RESOLVED:

That the Culture and Communities Select Committee recommends to the

Executive Member for Culture, Recreation and Countryside that he:

i)             Approves the outline proposals for the future management of the Countryside Estate in seeking an increase in income, operational efficiencies and alternative management options.

ii)            Agrees to consider the relevant criteria for releasing sites from County Council management and/or ownership and those sites that meet the criteria at a future meeting.

iii)           Agrees to consider a business case for introducing car park charging at specified sites at a future meeting.