[milton-chat] Annual Parish Meeting

[Paul Oldham]

On 24/04/07 12:49 John Taylor wrote:

> I think people are still struggling to understand why the costs involved 
> are so high, and why SCDC do not appear to be doing anything contructive 
> to resolve the problems.
> 
> If the policy for the park is to "mostly leave it alone", why does it 
> cost so much to run ?
> Surely all it needs is someone to give it a quick check every few days 
> to make sure that it is safe, and to lop the odd dangerous tree.
> How can this cost GBP100K ?

Where to start? OK here's just some of the costs that are necessary if 
you're going to have a Country Park (some of which could be done by 
volunteers BTW and we're discussing that):

- inspection of safety equipment (daily)
- inspection of play equiment (daily)
- mowing of grass
- litter picking
- emptying of poo bins
- cutting back shrubs alongside paths
- keeping paths up to reasonable standard
- repairing benches/tables etc
- revarnishing same
- ditto for bridges, which need re-painting evert few years
- ditto for the Visitor Centre
- ditto for the toilets
- cleaning the Visitor Centre and toilets
- opening and closing the car park (to avoid use by travellers and for
   dogging)
- repair to fishing platforms
- replacing worn out play equipment
- replacing old poo bins
- replacing stolen/vandalised safely equipment
- filling rabbit holes
- inspecting trees for potential safety issues
- new interpretation boards/signage etc
- policing dog bye-laws
- employing contractors for any tree works above 6'
- managing the facilities

Now everyone will be able to pick holes in the list above and a lot of 
it depends on precisely what you regard as vital but that's where SCDC 
get their 100K plus. And that's nett BTW, i.e. *after* 35K for car 
parking and 10K for the Visitor Centre income.

> Once we get the figures Simon promised we will be able to see, but why 
> has it taken 6 months to get even basic information ?

Because no one's asked? The people who are serious about bidding have 
them however.

-- 
Paul