Charles asked the Council to retract or at least correct some of the misinformation they had given before – the result is the grammatically incorrect (see line 1) and incomplete statement from Cllr Fish attached below. Due to the incomplete nature of this statement, it is necessary to outline the concessions that we have won from the Council as well as the losses that will still take place for the Country Park as part of the Council’s amended plans.
The outcome of last Friday’s meeting was very good news for the Action Group inasmuch as both One Tree Hill and Westley Heights will now have resident Rangers and each will be full-time Rangers for the Park – a major concession.
We now have been given specific detail of how the Parks will be managed, the duties each Ranger will perform and the availability of access to the mobile teams the Council will operate. In essence we have the Council’s commitment that the maintenance of the Parks and the SSSIs will continue to the same level as current, the Natural Play Area will be maintained and play equipment will be inspected and repaired until such times as they reach the end of any serviceable life-span.
Access paths will be maintained, although no Council resources will be used to install or maintain benches in future. Dog waste bins will be left until they reach the end of their lifetime and are then to be replaced with dual purpose bins. The tools, equipment, balers, tractors etc etc will remain at Westley Heights for the Rangers to use. The Friends of Langdon Hills can continue with their tools and equipment as at present.
We are advised that the Apprentice Ranger will be leaving end January 2016 – but the Council commits now to replacing such apprentices at the end of each of their terms.
It is thanks to all of your support that we have managed to achieve these concessions, so thanks to everyone who has taken the time to participate in letter writing, attending the protest rally on 25th March, and help to raise awareness. Together we have achieved a great success for the the Langdon Hills Country Parks. It is worth noting however that further budget cuts are anticipated next year – so the commitments made by Thurrock Council are only for the next 12 months.
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| The peaceful protest on 25th March really helped to gain concessions from Thurrock Council. Thanks for your support! |
Moving on to detail the cuts that will still occur as part of the Council’s plans, the Council still plan to make two full-time Ranger positions redundant. With regard to the Park Management Plan, the Council is to review the current plan and advise what is considered feasible in the future – an emphasis will be placed on finding volunteers to discharge work such as coppicing – but the Council will provide training and Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) for an already allocated budget.
The Green Flag award for the park is irretrievably lost. This prestigious award (which has been held by the Country Park for the past 4 years) recognises the best green spaces in the country.
With regard to the park events and education we have lost this battle but we, the Action Group, will seek other opportunities to restore this benefit outside Thurrock Council. The Council has indicated that they will allow others to hold events on the park but no Council resources can be deployed in running or managing them. This means that unfortunately events such as Santa in the Woods will cease until such time as other bodies such as the Friends of Langdon Hills group can investigate running the events themselves and consider what is feasible.
It is unfortunate that so much will still be lost under the Council’s proposals, and there is the strong risk of further cuts next year. We would urge you to please keep involved with the Action Group if you feel strongly about the Langdon Hills Country Parks. You could also consider joining the Friends of Langdon Hills group if you are able to help out in any way to support the running of the Park.
Kind regards,
Save Langdon Hills Action Group
Email: langdonhillsactiongroup@gmail.com
Web: http://langdonhillsactiongroup.blogspot.com/
Statement released by Cllr Fish:
“Council set record straight over Langdon Hills” - posted on YourThurrock.com March 28, 2015.
FOLLOWING a meeting with representatives a group protesting changes to Langdon Hills Country Park on Friday (27 March), environment portfolio holder Cllr Tony Fish has issued the following statement.
“Thurrock Council has listened carefully to the many views and expressions of interest from residents and visitors to the country park at Langdon Hills.
“In response to the views that have been expressed and some of the inaccurate information that has been circulated the council has confirmed that in the coming year it will have resident Rangers on duty every day across the park.
“The council has also confirmed the children’s play area will continue to be maintained and the three sites of special scientific interest will receive the same management regime as in previous years.
“The plans for the park ensure the public will continue to have access to one of Thurrock’s environmental gems.”
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