Agenda item

The Board to note the contents of the report and to consider and approve the Park Furniture Design Guide, subject to any advice from the Advisory and Consultative Committees.

Mark Evison, Park Manager, presented the report as set out:

Rose Garden Fountain

·        The repairs to the fountain in the rose garden were due to start after the forthcoming half-term holiday. Following this, work was to take place on developing interpretation information on the history of this area of the Park.

Design Guide for Park Furniture

·        The draft Design Guide for Park Furniture was appended to the report. It was noted that discussions were ongoing regarding the colour scheme to be used, with the current proposal a dark green rather than the 1980s colour scheme as set out at the end of the report for reference.

·        It was also proposed to run a scheme for local groups to donate funding for individual benches, to be marked with plaques. The cost of each bench would be approximately £400.

·        There was no proposal for a wholesale replacement of all benches in the Park, new furniture would be installed over a period of time as older items required replacement.

·        It was reported that discussion of this issue at the Conservation Area Advisory Committee had looked at the issue of the colour scheme. The meeting had felt that there had been a rationale behind the 1980s scheme, which may have been based on historical research, and that it would be a concern if this were to be abandoned without proper consultation. It was acknowledged that no information had yet been found as to how the 1980s scheme had been decided, but that any decision to change the colour scheme would not be made lightly.

·        The Chief Executive advised that they would be happy to discuss the issue of the colour scheme further with the SAC/CC.

·        In response to a question regarding the railings, the Park Manager advised the s106 process was taking some time, but officers were working on this and would bring details back for consultation.

Dog Control Orders (DCOs) – update from the Board meeting 7^th February

·        Subsequent to the report having been circulated to the Board, a detailed response to this issue had been provided by the Council, and the Park manager would work together with the Council on developing solutions to address the unique position within Alexandra Park.

·        It was reported that problems with dogs in the Park appeared to be worsening, and there had been incidents of involving out of control dogs. It was noted that this was also an issue that had been highlighted by the local MP. The Palace had submitted number of detailed policies to address these issues, and would now work with the Council on implementation and enforcement of these regulations. The Park Manager advised that he would discuss with the Council which staff could be empowered to issue Penalty Charge Notices.

·        The Board asked about community dog-walking businesses; the Park Manager advised that the current Borough-wide DCO set a limit of 6 dogs per person, but this was a tricky issue as two people together could have up to 12 dogs with them.

·      It was reported that the Park Manager had met with two dog walkers regarding the possibility of setting up a responsible dog-walkers group. This could enable the Park to maximise the potential role that dog walkers had in reporting and deterring anti-social behaviour.

·        It was reported that, for the time being, the borough-wide DCO was applicable across the Park under which there were certain areas where dogs should be kept on leads, although signage had yet to be erected.

Wildlife report

·        It was reported that it might be possible to install some nesting sites for Peregrine Falcons when work was next carried out on the roof.

RESOLVED

i)             That the Board note the contents of the report.

ii)            That the Board approve the Park Furniture Design Guide, subject to any advice from the Advisory and Consultative Committees.