1.        PURPOSE OF REPORT AND EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1.1     The information in the report is intended to give the Committee an understanding of the day to day work of the Estate and the issues that affect its management. It also provides a record of all that is achieved across the different parts of the estate.

1.2     The work of the estate since March is set out in the Estate Update at Appendix I, and the results of the green flag judging at Appendix II. The Committee is asked to note the contents of the Estate Update.

1.3     A problem with the financial performance of the café has been identified with it currently showing it will only break even in this financial year; an initial review of the operation has been undertaken with results added to the report at Appendix III. It is recommended that these are implemented and a further full review of the café operation is undertaken once these have taken effect, and the results, and action plan brought back to the Committee along with a regular performance update.

1.4     The café and car parking charges were brought in to help make the park more financially self-sufficient as income from the golf course becomes more uncertain. It is therefore important that any problems with performance are identified early and rectified in order to maximise the income potential of the park and reduce the financial burden on the rest of the estate.

2.        INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

2.1     The Cobtree Manor Estate covers a large area of land left in trust to the people of Maidstone. The Cobtree Trust hold the freehold to the estate whilst the Cobtree Manor Estate Trust (CMET) have a 999 year lease. Maidstone Borough Council is the Corporate Trustee of CMET.

Cobtree Manor Estate Charity - Governing Object

The governing object of the Charity remains that defined in the lease of the Cobtree Estate dated 13 July 1971 between the Cobtree Charity Trust Limited (the lessor) and the Maidstone Borough Council (the lessee).  The governing object is stated as:

“To hold Cobtree Manor and Cobtree Manor Estate for the benefit of the inhabitants of Maidstone and other members of the general public in one or other or all of the following ways:

3.        AVAILABLE OPTIONS

3.1     The committee could choose not to note the information contained in the appendices, and do nothing, however receiving regular reports is in the best interest of good estate management. The recommendations regarding the café are considered important for improving financial performance.

4.        PREFERRED OPTION AND REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS

4.1     It is recommended that the information in Appendix I to the report is noted in order to ensure an accurate record of work across the estate is maintained.

4.2     It is recommended that the actions from the initial review of the café are undertaken and that these are further reviewed once they have had time to take effect, and the results of this and any recommended actions and are brought back to the committee.

4.3     It is recommended that an update on the financial performance of the café is brought to each meeting.

4.4     The above recommendations are considered prudent for the good financial management and monitoring of the estate.

5.       CONSULTATION RESULTS AND PREVIOUS COMMITTEE FEEDBACK

5.1     The committee has previously resolved to receive regular updates on the ongoing work across the Estate.

6.       NEXT STEPS: COMMUNICATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DECISION

6.1     Any comments from the Committee will be passed on to the relevant parties. Improvements in the performance of the café will be implemented by the Cobtree Manager.

7.       CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES AND IMPLICATIONS

8.        REPORT APPENDICES

The following documents are to be published with this report and form part of the report:

·         Appendix I: Cobtree Estate Progress Report August 2016

·         Appendix II: Green flag feedback

·         Appendix III: Cobtree Manor Park Café Business Review

9.        BACKGROUND PAPERS

There are none.