Agenda item
Titchfield Haven National Nature Reserve - Briefing on Proposals
For the Select Committee to receive a briefing on proposals for Titchfield Haven National Nature Reserve.
Minutes:
The Committee received a presentation briefing on proposals for Titchfield Haven National Nature Reserve (Item 6 in the Minute Book). The Chairman highlighted to Members that this was an information item only, and would enable Members of the Committee a chance to ask questions on the proposals ahead of the proposals being pre-scrutinised at Select Committee on the 7 December.
The Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services introduced the presentation and explained that officers felt it was important for Members to receive this briefing, and highlighted that the full business case on the proposals had recently been published and Members will have received sight of this. The strength of feeling relating to the proposals was acknowledged by officers in relation to the recent public engagement exercise, but Members heard that the visitor centre, shop and cafe situated in Haven House were financially unsustainable, with a net cost of £80,000. It was heard that the proposals to sell Haven House and Haven Cottage would generate capital receipt, some of which would be re-invested in the Nature Reserve which the County Council have a statutory responsibility in managing and maintaining. The Director also highlighted that Titchfield Haven is a Nature Reserve and not a country park, and the Nature Reserve receives 15,000 visits annually and 85,000 visits to the café.
Members were taken through the presentation slides giving further details on the proposals, and the drivers for change and budget pressures were explained. Officers highlighted the options considered and the recommended option which was to change focus and manage the site without a café, shop and visitor centre, thus reducing costs by £60,000 annually. The sale of the buildings would release capital income to be invested in the Nature Reserve. The proposed option would also enable the County Council to retain a strong visitor offer in the Nature Reserve, opportunities for seasonal catering, maintain admissions and membership with digital tickets and improved facilities within the Nature Reserve. It was heard that there would be a workforce impact with a staff reduction from 15 to 5, with staff being moved into the wider countryside site team.
The Chairman thanked Officers for the briefing and encouraged Members of the Committee to visit the Nature Reserve in the next few weeks.
In response to Members’ questions it was confirmed that:
· Other options have been fully investigated, but there isn’t a strong and robust business case to justify the level of investment required to change the proposals.
· The figures have been analysed and it wouldn’t be cost effective to improve both the Nature Reserve and Haven House, given the current condition of the House and changes needed to transform how the space is used in the House.
· If Fareham Borough Council declares Haven House as an asset of community value, then this would prevent the sale of it for six months.
· Previous discussions with a potential partner organisation were not successful because of the dowry cost in taking on liability for the buildings, and unfortunately no other organisation has come forward to offer help. A meeting with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust would be taking place soon, which may offer an alternative solution.
· There have been no offers from Fareham Borough Council to take on the running costs of Haven House.
· Fareham Borough Council have recently introduced car parking charges which may have impacted visitor numbers.
Councillor Bryant declared an interest at this point in proceedings as a member of Fareham Borough Council.
· Catering at the Council’s country parks works well, but this is part of a wider income strategy for car parking, which encourages people to visit more often and stay longer. HCC has been successful in securing National Lottery funding for other projects however the Nature Reserve does not meet the criteria, which focuses on heritage, and the level of national importance.
· The market dictates the cost of the café’s food prices and putting up the cost of prices to generate more money wouldn’t be longstanding, and investment in the building would also be required. The average spend in the café is also low at approximately £3.50.
· Hiring out office rooms in Haven House for meetings wouldn’t generate a large income, and there are challenges as a Local Authority for letting out the flat, which has been let to staff for 7 of the last 10 years.
· The Haven House budget covers the cost of staff, food and the overall building costs, and together with the visitor centre is generating a loss of £80,000 annually.
· As part of the proposals, there would be space created for volunteers and parking passes would be maintained for them.
· Part of the proposals is to improve the facilities to and within the Nature Reserve. This would include improvements to the hides, ensuring people have clear access to the Nature Reserve and an accessible toilet, ensuring the importance of habitat for wildlife and investing in resilience for future climate/coastal changes.
The Chairman thanked officers for the update.
Supporting documents: