Issue - meetings

This item has been placed on the Agenda at the request of the Joint Ward Committee.

The Service Director (Place Management) will attend the meeting to discuss the management and running of Reddish Vale Country Park.

The Greenspace Manager and the Senior Ranger at Reddish Vale Country Park (Public Realm) attended the meeting and provided an update on the management and running of Reddish Vale Country Park.

The Greenspace Manager (Public Realm) reported on the development and implementation of the redesign of the Public Realm Service, which included the rationalisation of staff including countryside rangers, arboriculture and service support staff; working with communities and partners to collaborate on the management of countryside visitor centres including Reddish Vale Country Park.

The following comments were made / issues raised:-

·         A resident expressed concern in relation to the perceived reliance on voluntary organisations contributing to Council Services in particular at the Visitors’ Centre in Reddish Vale County Park.

·         The Visitors’ Centre in Reddish Vale Country Park was an asset and the valuable work of volunteers was noted.  

·         Concern was expressed in relation to the proposed changes for Reddish Vale Country Park and the anticipated timescale for change.

·         Clarification was sought and provided in respect of the proposals to reduce the number of Ranger posts and the projected cost savings.

·         A councillor enquired how other parks in the Borough such as Etherow Country Park had been affected by the anticipated proposals.  

·         The Executive Meeting on Monday, 17 December 2012 had considered a report on the Medium Term Financial which addressed the redesign of the Public Realm Service.

·         Councillors highlighted the importance and requirement for a Ranger to be on site at Reddish Vale Country Park full-time due to the size of the park and for health and safety reasons.  Concern was expressed that if a Ranger was not present full time at the park, the park would deteriorate. 

·         Future staffing arrangements was discussed and concern was expressed in respect of the continuity of officers. 

·         Councillors praised the work of staff at Reddish Vale Country Park and the valued the range of activities on offer at the Visitors’ Centre. 

·         The important role of volunteers was highlighted and that Reddish Vale Country Park had the largest number of volunteers when compared to other parks in the Borough.

·         A representative of the Service Director (Place Management) further reported that in relation to the Frank Bramwell Legacy the information / educational interpretation boards were in the process of being organised and that the Koi fibre roll had been planted up by the suppliers and once established would be delivered to site and installed on the eroded banks of the islands.

RESOLVED – (1) That the Executive Councillor (Public Realm) and the Head of Public Realm be invited to attend the next meeting of the Joint Ward Committee to discuss the change to the Public Realm Service and its effect  on Reddish Vale Country Park.

(2) That the relevant information from the Medium Term Financial Plan report considered by the Executive Meeting on Monday, 17 December 2012 be included with the agenda for information to the next Brinnington and Reddish Joint Ward Committee.

(3) That representatives of the Friends of the Vale be invited to provide information relating to the numbers and role of volunteers at Reddish Vale Country Park to the next meeting of the Brinnington and Reddish Joint Ward Committee.

(4) That the Senior Ranger (Reddish Vale Country Park) be thanked for her commitment and hard work in relation to the Frank Bramwell project.