(a)

progress to date -

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the cancellation of events had impacted the charity’s funding streams, although legacy donations had been received and membership levels had been maintained;

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the committee had been improving its ways of working (systems, policies and processes), so that the charity was ready for the future, in order for it to be able to deliver on its purpose;

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due to the Covid restrictions, approximately £100k had been set aside for projects which would now be carried forward to 2021 (the Friends would be happy to reconsider priorities within the Park, if necessary); currently, the charity’s funds were £135k;

(b)

summer 2020 Survey Results -

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over 100 surveys had been completed; the themes emerging from the surveys included keeping the Park as a beautiful, natural space and enjoying the gardens, woodlands and nature;

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over 50% of visitors surveyed were local to the area (Plymouth and Cornwall) and of those 43% visited the Park more than once a month (some as many as a few times a week); 45% of people arrived by car, approximately 30% by ferry and a few by walking; those arriving by ferry from Stonehouse, had asked for the City Council to consider providing an ‘all day’ charge for the car park in order to facilitate days in the Park;

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although the Park was much loved, visitors were keen to see improvements made to areas which were deteriorating, these included the restoration of closed/derelict buildings, statues, follies, local focal points and improvements to the existing toilet facilities and the provision of additional toilet facilities;

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two thirds of visitors surveyed would be happy to pay a nominal fee to have more/improved toilets; only half of the visitors were aware how the Park was funded and many assumed that there was sufficient funding to manage and maintain the Park;

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there had been little interest in visiting the house (however, this could have been due to the Covid restrictions as the house had been closed to the public);

(c)

funding issues and deterioration of the Park and its assets -

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the survey had highlighted to the Friends that any further reduction in funding from the local government could cause further deterioration of the assets of the Park;

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the Friends considered that funding was critical at this time, as without sufficient funding the Park assets could suffer further deterioration which may be impossible to recover from; it was recognised that the Park staff did an amazing job with only a ‘skeleton’ staff and an unrealistic annual funding budget;

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whilst the Friends could support some areas with funding, the charity could not make up for the shortfalls of past years; it would fund on a year by year basis, based on funds built over the previous year;

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the Friends fully supported the future vision for the Park and would continue to work with Park management to make it a success but it considered that a stable and improved funding position for two to three years was critical;  the Joint Committee was asked to consider this feedback when agreeing future funding for the Park;

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some particular areas of concern included the management of the woodland canopy, planting of new trees and removal of fallen trees, the poor condition of the toilets and the repair of the road around the Barrow Centre;

(d)

2021 plan included -

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a campaign for donations and legacies (to replace lost event income);

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encouraging local visitors to become active volunteers and join the Friends;

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the launch in 2021 of an online payment facility for donations and membership.