Issue - meetings

Councillor Dale Heenan, Cabinet Member for the Town Centre, Culture, and Heritage along with the Director of Strategic Development submitted a joint report setting out Swindon’s ambition for the Council-owned Country Parks, and seeking to create a sustainable operating model in order to provide long-term enjoyment of these facilities for the residents of and visitors to Swindon.

Councillor Heenan summarised the four-year plan on which permission to consult was being sought as well as stating why all the parks were of importance to the Borough. Councillor Jim Grant asked questions on the following issues, to which Councillor Heenan responded.

1)     Why were there some specific commitments to Coate before the consultation? These were either beneficial now or were necessary to ensure long-term goals, such as the café’, could be realised.

2)     Could there be clarification of the s.106 funding exchanges between Badbury Park and Moredon? This was determined by an earlier Cabinet decision (Minute 77, 22^nd April 2020) and Officers would provide a full written response.

3)     Would Council-owned country parks remain Council-owned? The Cabinet confirmed that they would.

Resolved: (1) That the Director of Strategic Development be authorised:

(a) In consultation with the Cabinet Member for Town Centre, Culture and Heritage, to develop a four year Strategic Improvement Plan for Swindon’s Country Parks by summer 2021, which will, when approved, incorporate the priorities set out at recommendation 2(b) below, and which will preserve them as viable and financially sustainable assets that contribute to the health and wellbeing of residents and Swindon’s overall recreational offer.

(b) In agreement with the Corporate Director of Finance and Assets, to allocate a budget of up to £50K from the Council’s feasibility funding to secure investigative reports to support the development of the Parks Strategic Delivery Plan, business Country Parks.

(c) To hold a four-week consultation during spring 2021 to allow local residents to provide feedback on, and assist in identifying, the key improvements to be included within the Parks Strategic Improvement Plan.

(2) That it be agreed that in addition to the Parks Strategic Improvement Plan consultation, the three priorities for the Council at Coate Water are:

(a) the cleaning of the Diving Board,

(b) an exemplar inclusive and accessible play area and,

(c) a new waterside Restaurant and Café.

(3) That it be agreed that Lydiard House and Hotel will focus on Events and Weddings, and will not reopen until further notice due to the operational cost incurred by current Covid-19 requirements.

(4) That it be agreed that income from Lydiard and Coate Water parking will be ring-fenced to those parklands for their future maintenance and improvements.

The reasons for the decision and alternative options are as set out in the report to the meeting.