Agenda item

The Committee considered the report of Ms Lizzie Buckingham, Cobtree Manager which provided an update on events and maintenance issues that had taken place during the period from January 2019 to April 2019.

Ms Buckingham highlighted that:-

·  Works to the paths had progressed which included management of the vegetation, removal of fallen trees, pruning of shrubs and undertaking further tree works following survey recommendations

·  A new Ranger had been appointed and would start soon.
 

·  A recruitment process for an Apprentice was underway.

·  An events programme for the Spring and early Summer had been completed.

·  A volunteers’ gardening session had taken place on the bund of earth around the Visitor Centre to create a wildflower bank.

·  Three students studying conservation at Hadlow College would be carrying out three weeks of work experience during April.

·  There had been difficulties accessing the visitor numbers for 2019 but the system was now working correctly and the figures would be circulated to the Committee via email.

·   A document setting out the Trust’s liabilities on the car park had now been obtained.

·  A digger belonging to the car park construction contractor had been stolen from the works compound while they were working on site on the night of Tuesday, 26^th March.

·  The boulders that were displaced during the theft of the digger had now been replaced and Officers were investigating replacing the gate on the driveway to the Manor House and cottages on Forstal Road.

·  The alarm for the Café/Visitor Centre had now been extended to the storage unit.

·  The well attended health and wellbeing event had been held at the golf course on 22^nd February 2019.

·  Works to the timbers of the Kent Life play barn had been deferred to January 2020.

The Chairman provided an update on the meeting held with the Cobtree Charity Trust Ltd on the proposals for a Cobtree Railway.

It was noted that Cobtree Charity Trust Ltd had commissioned an initial feasibility study by COWI, an Engineering Consultant.  Their estimate of the project cost was between £1.4-1.5m.

The Chairman explained that although a representative from Planning Solutions was present at the meeting, they did not have decision making powers.  Therefore it was necessary to arrange a meeting with Mike Stickland to firm up on the likely contribution from Planning Solutions.

Mr Hext was asked how he saw the proportions of spend on the project.  He said that the Trust would match fund whatever the Council provided. 

The Committee commented as follows:-

·  Need to think about other ways of funding, e.g. sponsorship, borrowing from Maidstone Borough Council or use of charity funds which would require permission of the charity commission

·  Projections had been made on current footfall with 15% of visitors using the train

·  That the location of the line was not within the boundary of Kent Life’s Entrance so visitors could turn up and ride on the train without going into Kent Life

·  £60,000 investment would be needed upfront, this could be a 50/50 split between the Council and the Trust

·  KCC Highways would look at the feasibility of the railway running under the road

RESOLVED:  That

1.  The contents of the report be noted.

2.  A report detailing funding options and next steps for the Cobtree Railway Project be brought to the next meeting of the Committee.

3.  A meeting be held with Planning Solutions, Cobtree Charity Ltd and the Council to firm up on their contributions to the project.