Document Runnymede Pleasure Ground (RPG) Development Programme 2024

The Committee received a confidential report on progress with improvements to Runnymede Pleasure Grounds.  Approval was sought to draw down a sum from the reserves to facilitate this.

Officers updated the Committee on a suite of proposed improvements to the Pleasure Grounds.  These were to the water play facility which it was advised would require a significant outlay, the play area being organised by the Open Space and Community Development team and park infrastructure (toilets and pavilion), being lead by the Council’s Assets and Regeneration team.  There were also plans to install a CCTV camera on site to improve management of the car park, deter anti-social behaviour and improve security and it was also considered necessary to effect repairs to the grassed car park.

Officers in Community Services agreed to confirm when the paddling pool in RPG would be opened in 2024.

The Committee sitting as trustees of the Pleasure Grounds acknowledged that the sum being requested represented a significant part of the reserves.  However, there was an ambition to make the Pleasure Grounds the best they could be to attract visitors to enjoy the facilities and the continued open and natural aspect of the site, positioned as it was beside The River Thames.  If approved the Trust’s reserves would stand at approximately £135,000 of which £52,000 was set aside.  Officers in Financial Services were asked to provide a breakdown of the sum set aside between monies set aside for future flooding costs and insurance and maintenance of the statue of Queen Elizabeth II.  Officers in Financial Services were also asked to confirm whether the outstanding payment from Magna Carta Legacy Limited had been received, and if not, what the most economical resolution was to the matter in liaison with colleagues in Legal.

It was anticipated that once the improvements had been made, more visitors would bring additional car parking income to offset the outlay.  Officers in Community Services would bring a progress report on the tendering exercises to a future meeting of the Committee.

Officers in Community Services were asked to check whether S106 monies could be used to improve pedestrian access to RPG and discuss with colleagues in Economic Development whether there were opportunities to include this in discussions with the Egham Town Team, Surrey County Council and the National Trust.

Resolved that –

The RPG Development programme for the 2024 financial year, be approved, to include approval to utilise the sum as reported of the Trust’s reserves for works identified in the report