Chris Burton (Park Manager) delivered the Park Manager’s report to the Committee and discussed:

a)     The size, assets, and protected status of the Park;

b)    Public engagement with the Park and visitor numbers, which would be re-surveyed through National Marine Park funding;

c)     The attainment of £1.4 Million in grants for the Park in the 2023/24 financial year alone, including £942,000 confirmed for repair of the Garden Battery, £320,000 for repair of the English Garden House, £50,000 for Phase One of the CMP, and £60,000 for repair of the Orangery toilets;

d)    Operational Park costs were around £1 Million per annum. While this had originally cost both constituent councils around £300,000-£500,000 per year, the Park was now largely self-funding;

e)     The Park had attained TripAdvisor’s Travelers Choice of the Year Award for the third consecutive year;

f)      734 Voluntary days had been contributed since Christmas 2023, including significant partnerships with the Royal Navy (HMS Raleigh), Secure Forests CIC,  and other corporate organisations;

g)     Replacement of the deer fencing was ongoing and would be completed by around Summer 2024, creating a Deer Park;

h)    The Woodland Management Plan had influenced planting and management within the Park, including grass cutting cycles, tree canopy thinning, and animal grazing;

i)       Stewardship negotiations were ongoing, and following completion of Phase Two of the CMP, would hopefully result in an income from DEFRA;

j)      The use of drones was being explored within the park for efficiently surveying the gardens and deer populations, as well as monitoring and cliff erosion. Staff were currently being trained on their use;

k)     Climate resilience was an emerging priority for the park. The East Lawn had recently been replanted with pest and drought resilient plants. Climate changes presented many challenges for the park, leading to extra works and expenses;

l)      The Cornish Black Bee project was performing well, and was popular amongst volunteers;

m)   Heritage Lottery funding had been secured to renovate the Garden Battery. Once finished, the battery would offer free public entry, detailing the history of Mt. Edgcumbe, Cornwall and the Plymouth Sound;

n)    Funding from DEFRA, Historic England and the Friends of Mt. Edgcumbe had been secured to facilitate restoration of the English Garden House. Repairs to the French Garden House would also be undertaken this year, and extensive repairs had been completed on the Main House roof;

o)    Weddings generated an important income for the park to help fund maintenance of the historic assets. It was recognised that the current marquee was nearing the end of its usability, and options were being explored for its replacement. Consultation was ongoing with Historic England to ensure designs were appropriate for the location;

p)    Around 20 events had been held this year including the Triathlon, Arm Chair Adventure Festival, Night Run, Caribbean Weekend and Doggy Days Out;

q)    Pressures for the park included Ash Die Back, storms and heavy wet weather;

r)     A working horse ‘Duchess’ had been introduced to the park in partnership with Deerfield carriages, who assisted with woodland management and tree removal. Another horse was expected shortly.

In response to questions, the Joint Committee discussed:

s)     Car parking charges had been reviewed and agreed by the Joint Committee in November last year. The new charges were not yet implemented due to the length and complexity of the process however, a 30 day period of consultation would shortly begin;

t)      As part of a review, Cornwall had recently handed over responsibility for cleaning/operation of the Cremyll toilets to the park. Options were being explored to transfer complete ownership of the block however, some maintenance was first required.

The Joint Committee agreed to-

1.   Note the report;

2.   Request a briefing paper on parking charges and enforcement.