St Paul’s Parks Sub Group

Minutes of meeting 3rd March 2010 at Family Learning Centre.

Present

Sarah Jones - Places for People

Brian Williams - English Landscapes - Central Grounds Maintenance Contract
Teija Ahjokoski – Head Gardener
Adam Laity - Circomedia
Jane Hartoch - Peiran Centre
Pete Bullard - resident
Janine McCretton - Resident and St Agnes Park Event organiser
Olga Jennings – Unitarian Trustees
Oli Roberts, BCC Parks Projects

Apologies

Susan Wildman - Unitarian Trustees

2. Minutes from previous meeting

Minutes accepted as a true record of the meeting

3. Grounds Maintenance

3.1 English Landscapes (EL)

BW gave an overview of his new role working within English Landscapes, the
new grounds maintenance contractor for the central area of Bristol. Brian has
worked across the city but it has been 12 years since he last worked in St
Paul's. Constantine Blake the St Agnes Park Keeper has joined the EL team,
which is maintaining both Parks and Housing sites within the St Paul's Area.

PB asked whether improved quality maintenance can be expected under EL.

BW advised that the contract is better resourced than the previous
Continental Landscapes contract and that all features within parks and green
spaces will be maintained to the standards within the contract specification.
He confirmed that English Landscapes have a strong commitment to high
quality service and ensuring Green Flag standards are met at St Paul's Park.

PB asked about how EL will input into the writing of management plans for St
Agnes Park and Brunswick Cemetery. OR advised that he would lead on the
writing of these documents and that EL would be engaged in agreeing the
required maintenance specifications, approach to maintaining features and
the actions/milestones in the five year action plan.

PB asked about lines of communication for reporting problesms. TA advised

that this should be through Bristol Parks using the following contact details E-
mail: bristolparks@bristol.gov.uk Telephone: 0117 922 3719 Text: 0771 039
6713.
ACTION: It was suggested that details of the contractors and the above
contact details could feature in an article in SPU news

3.2 Parks Restructure

Parks and Estates has been amalgamated into a new directorate of

Environment and Leisure Services, which has corresponded with the start of
the new maintenance contract with English Landscapes for the ‘central area’
covering St Paul’s. As part of this review Teija's grant funded Head
Gardener’s post will end from 1st April 2010 and she will take on a City Wide
Horticultural Improvement role which will involve some support in St Paul’s
Park, but be funded through Bristol City Council

The Green Spaces For People budget which was allocated to part fund Teija’s
post will now be available to pay English Landscapes to undertake additional
roles to achieve grant outcomes of increased site presence, maintenance
standards and volunteering. ACTION Oli will develop a proposal for the use of
these funds, for approval by the Big Lottery Fund.

4. Parks Updates

4.1 St Agnes Park

OR updated the group on the progress of landscape works. The site is

developing well with a planned completion for the end of April. The Copings
on the site are in a bad state of repair and are presently looking at alternative
sources of reclaimed pennant. The Adventure Playground section will be
opening earlier and they are planning activities for Easter Holidays, which
they will publicise closer to the date.

The opening event will be on Saturday 29th May. Janine McCretton who is
acting as event organiser will be coordinating a range of activities for the day.
Her event email contact address is: parkplayday@googlemail.com

4.2 Brunswick Cemetery

Works have just started on site and are due to finish on May 29th. A more
detailed update will be given at the next meeting.

Hew Locke’s plans were taken to the Arts and Culture Sub Group for
discussion and more detailed drawings are now being developed.

4.3 St Paul’s Park

Discussed Open Space event and previous discussions of Circomedia

Performance in St Paul’s Park as part of the event. Arts and Culture Sub
Group members did not want the event to be beyond one site, so did not want
to include St Paul’s Park show within the programme. It was agreed that a
trapeze show should be organised in April to mark the new statues and as an
Easter break activity in the park. ACTION – OR to organise event with
Circomedia

OR advised that the lights have been installed and the power connected.
Action – OR to ask for the lighting columns to be cleaned. The water
connection will be ordered now that electric supply is completed. The
remaining fencing should be in place in April. Teija gave an overview of
planting plans, which reflect the Green Flag judge’s comments about colour
and being of value for butterflies and insects.

It was agreed to defer the management plan review until the next meeting.

Other Green Spaces

PB advised drug dealing has increased around Grosvenor Green (where

Fagens statue is)

St Paul's Gardens – ACTION OR to talk to Ruth about Bins and PB to discuss

maintenance handover and trees up lighters

Dove Lane – discussion about next stage of consultation in April, which will
lead to a planning application for the end of June. It was agreed that ensuring
a good interface with St Paul’s Park is a priority for the group. PB advised that
the Housing / employment (mix) has been a key planning discussion. It is
expected that 3 options will be shown with different densities and mixes of
employment and housing. SJ will bring plans to a future meeting for
information/discussion when available and send a web link to circulate to Sub
Group members.

Discussion about quality of Dalrymple Road Play Area, PB advised that Mary
Anne Kemp is the SPU rep for the area.