Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from County Borough Councillor L De Vet.

To receive disclosures of personal interest from Members in accordance with the Code of Conduct

Note:

1.     Members are requested to identify the item number and subject matter that their interest relates to and signify the nature of the personal interest: and

2.   Where Members withdraw from a meeting as a consequence of the prejudicial interest they must notify the Chairman when they leave.

In accordance with the Councils Code of Code conduct no declarations were made pertaining to the agenda.

To receive and approve the minutes of the previous meeting which was held on the 3^rd January, 2019.

RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the 3^rd January, 2019 as an accurate reflection of the meeting.

To receive an update in respect of The National Lottery.

The Head of Leisure, Parks & Countryside provided the trustees with an update on the progress made to date regarding the National Lottery Heritage Fund (previously Heritage Lottery Fund) Parks for People application for Ynysangharad War Memorial Park.

Members were reminded that the stage 1 application had been successful, resulting in the Council receiving a grant (£208,500) to support the preparation of a stage 2 application which is to be submitted in August 2019.

The officer proceeded to provide details of the work done to date in respect of the stage 2 application, including a planning application and meetings with the Environment Partnership in respect of the plans needed to be taken forward, with particular reference to the drafting of a Management and Maintenance Plan which will act as a reference manual for current and future maintenance operations across the whole site.

Members were advised that the project team had met with the National Lottery Heritage Fund for a project progress meeting on 10th April and the officer provided a brief summary of the key recommendations highlighted from the meeting

•           Ensure that Business Plan reflects the successful track record of enterprise start up regarding the Lido Ponty training centre further enhancing the business case for the centre.

•           Ensure that Interpretation Plan is at RIBA Stage 3 matching the architectural designs for the Horticultural Centre

•           Consider the role of the Friends of Ynysangharad War Memorial Park for the delivery phase.

•           Enhance the biodiversity elements within the Management and Maintenance Plan.

The Chair thanked the officer for the update and took the opportunity to compliment the Parks Manager for the success of the ‘Friends of the Park’ programme. The Head of Leisure, Parks & Countryside agreed that although this was a targeted action required by the submission, the group had proven to be an enormous success and the key would be to ensure it longevity in the future.

Members discussed the use of social media to promote the successful application and also queried the retention of knowledge within the department with the future retirement of an experienced Officer.  The Head of Leisure, Parks & Countryside reassured Members that the knowledge and experience of the officer was being shared with other team members to ensure continuity.

Members concluded their questions by seeking clarification on the timescales post August.  Officers advised that following submission of the bid in August, the bid would be considered by a Welsh Panel in November and then a National Panel in December. If successful then the delivery phase would commence from January 2020.

Following discussions it was RESOLVED:

1.    To note and support the ongoing project work in respect of a ‘Parks for People’ stage 2 application for Ynysangharad War Memorial Park, which is due to be submitted on the 20th August 2019.

To receive a report outlining the operational requirements in respect of ‘Ponty’s Big Weekend’ Event.

Through his report the Director of Prosperity & Development updated the Trustees on the plans to hold a major music event in the park during August 2019 and provided further details on the implications the event would have on park users.

Members were reminded of similar events held in the park over previous years, which had been subsidised by the Council, adding that for a number of reasons, the event had not taken place since 2014. 

The Director advised that going forward, on the 17^th August 2019, it was proposed that the park would be the venue for a music concert under the banner of ‘Ponty’s Big Weekend advising that the show would be a wholly commercial undertaking by the promoters Orchard Entertainment without subsidy from the Council.

Members attention was drawn to 5.4 of the report which set out the implications for the park in respect of the event, namely the proposal to close the park from 12 noon on the day of the event to ensure site sterilisation and security, with the gates re-opening at 3pm for ticket holders only with the concert scheduled to finish at 10:30pm.

The Chair expressed her delight that the event was coming back to Pontypridd and the opportunity to build on the increasingly successful regeneration of Pontypridd. 

Members spoke of their concerns of closing the park for park users but spoke of a balance needed to be achieved to ensure little impact of park users and safety of attendees of the concert.  Members felt that a closure time of 12 noon was appropriate, to still allow the morning park run to proceed and still gave the event organisers sufficient time to set up the security arrangements needed for the event to proceed.

Members discussed the plans following the end of the event, which was scheduled to close at 10.30pm.  Officers advised that through discussions at the Council’s Events Safety Advisory Group, which included partners such as the Police there had been no concerns raised about the concert and Members were advised that the Police had agreed to take full ownership of the management of stopping traffic at the close of the concert to allow attendees to leave the park across bridge and to proceed into Pontypridd Town Centre High Street.   Members commented that out of courtesy it would be useful to keep the BID informed of the event and the proposed plans and officers confirmed that they had already been advised through the discussions of the Events Safety Advisory Group.

Following discussions it was RESOLVED to:

1.    note the content of the report.