This is the text of the official report to the recent Forum on where the negotiations about the future of the Park are going.

There is consensus on the following matters:

Modernisation

1. Modernisation of the reference to ‘manly sports’ and elimination of the possible ambiguity regarding the use of the Park by children.

Utilities

2. Legitimisation of the current two electricity substation arrangements (within their current footprint and height).
3. No further utility company enclosures to be permitted e.g. substations, masts, etc.

Public access

4. Regarding the powers of the trustees to close the Park on Sundays and at other times (subject to a proviso of closure not exceeding 156 days in a year): replace this with a proviso prohibiting the exclusion of the public from any area for more than 6 days in any calendar year, except the Football Ground, the Bowling Club, the Cricket Nets, the Pavilion, the Lodge, the Grounds Maintenance Depot, the Artificial Pitch (during the winter months) and other buildings for normal security reasons.

Merger of Recreation Ground and Public Park into the Trust

5. The Council’s suggestion to merge the part of the Park governed by the Trust Deed (the Recreation Ground) and the part of the Park administered by the Council (the Public Park) and bring both parts within the scope of the Trust Deed, appears to have merit, provided that the aim is to provide greater protection to the Public Park, as opposed to more easily facilitating development within the Recreation Ground.

Communication and decision-making

6. Greater transparency on matters affecting the Park and better communication on a timely and open basis. It is acknowledged that the Park is managed by Officers in accordance with the Clarence Park Management Plan through contractors under the Council’s Grounds Maintenance Contract. The Clarence Park Consultative Forum discusses performance management and day to day issues relating to the Park. Each year the Forum agrees on the specific actions from the Management Plan which are to be implemented during that forthcoming year.

Permitted Use

7. The main existing uses of the Park to continue to be permitted:

7.1      Restaurant use on Verdi’s site;

7.2      Sale of light refreshments (ie non-restaurant use) at sporting or other events, such use being ancillary to and contemporaneous with those events;

7.3      FC bar (ancillary use only);

7.4      Occasional public events e.g. concerts like ‘Larks in the Parks’.

7.5      Clubs should be permitted to charge for room-hire, entrance to certain events, refreshments, etc but only for the purposes of funding their operation in the Park i.e. not for general fund-raising purposes where they also operate in other locations. Accordingly, permission for such activities should be subject to periodic review (at the time of licence renewal in most cases) and, if appropriate, termination.

7.6      Use of The Lodge to be restricted to accommodation for a park-keeper, use by the Council or for residential use but not for commercial use.

7.7      Ultimate ownership of all parts of the Park should remain with the Trust or the Council for the benefit of the public .

7.8      Improve community safety at Clarence Park.

Tenure

8. Occupation will normally be on the basis of a licence as standard, except the electricity sub-station leases,
9. It is acknowledged that some Clubs might need a lease rather than a licence in order to obtain grant funding or to meet the requirements of their respective sporting governing bodies, but leases are not to give security of tenure.
10. Sub-licences to be permitted but not to give security of tenure.
11. Licence renewals to be looked at individually on a case by case basis. There is an assumption that a renewal of a Club’s licence will be permitted on a like for like basis.

Improvements

2.  Clubs to be permitted to carry out minor improvements but with the consent of officers on each occasion.

Fund-raising, sponsorship and advertising

3. Clubs to be allowed to carry out general fund-raising proportionate to their activities in the Park. Accordingly, permission for such activities should be subject to periodic review (at the time of licence renewal in most cases) and, if appropriate, termination.
4. Sponsorship to be at the discretion of officers
5. A presumption that ad hoc and temporary appropriate advertising (sponsorship) to be permitted within club premises on match days and during events and also discrete permanent signage..

Ancillary sales of food and drink

6. The sale of food and drink immediately before, after and during Club events and activities and as ancillary to those events to be permitted. No consensus for allowing the use of premises to be widened, for example, hiring out bars or function rooms.

Barbecue Site

7. No permanent outdoor barbecue site can be permitted in the Park. Stakeholders are aware of the Cricket Club’s requirements.

Floodlighting

8. The Hockey Club and the FC will be looking to upgrade their floodlighting. It is acknowledged that the effect on local residents is likely to be minimal as lighting technology has developed.

Retaining the present appearance

9. The physical footprint of the existing premises at the Park is not to change. Any potential increase in the height of a building requires the consent of the CNC
10. No diminution of the existing green spaces or other areas of public access

Fundamental question

1. The character of Clarence Park as an un-commercialised park for people should be maintained. In considering any issues, ask the question: would this proposal change the character of the Park?