August 3, 2015

NLP Cafe day 2 update.

It is only 4 days since we were given the licence for the Cafe in North Lodge Park by NNDC and the transformation is amazing, as is the support from you all. It is definitely your cafe.

The cafe will be serving ‘crepes and cakes’, keeping it simple.

The number of people that have been to help, brought in their spare cutlery and crockery, tables and chairs just proves the passion you have for getting the cafe back up and running.

And then Shane Scarff, family and friends turned up to give the hedges at ‘our end’ of the Park a haircut – just another amazing transformation (they certainly put Kier to shame with their efforts here and elsewhere across Cromer).

We’re on target for opening on Friday – still lots to do getting ready, and lots of things needed to equip the cafe – such as a small chest freezer – ice creams are bound to be a hit over the summer so we need to be able to keep them cold!

I think it’s time to think about the publicity…

See you soon.

August 1, 2015

Cafe update

Thank-you for the help, offers of support and donations of equipment for the cafe.

Noeth Lodge Park Tea Rooms - day 1 Today the team worked like billy-o: the inside was given a bright new look; the kitchen area thoroughly cleaned and painted; the outside rubbed down, filled, repaired, primed and undercoated.

There are too many names to thank individually – you know who you are so THANKS. And they say you can never find a plumber when you need one – it’s not true Dwaine (wrightpandhltd.co.uk) heard via the facebook grapevine what we were doing and gave us half a day of his valuable time.

Tom Fitzpatrick from NNDC came to offer his support and pose for the photograph when the EDP team came (they didn’t do any painting).

We made lots of new friends and are well on target to open on Friday.

We still need help to get ready so if you have time do come down to the cafe on Sunday or Monday; and we still need lots of equipment for the cafe so please keep thinking about what you have spare.

Hope to see you soon

July 31, 2015

North Lodge Park Cafe will reopen next week

It’s your park – it’s your cafe

It will take a while for NNDC to determine the best long term plans for North Lodge Park following last week’s closure of the transfer project, but at a meeting we had with them yesterday they said they are keen to see some action in the Park quickly.

To support this they have offered the Friends an immediate 4 month licence to run the cafe; all money made will be for the Friends to use on the Park. This was one of your priorities so we have accepted the offer and now need your help to make it a reality.

We have the keys, and have made an initial inspection. The interior of the building is in quite a good state and a quick once over with paint will make it usable. The exterior is in a poor state, but for such a short term licence can be made good with some paint and careful filling. NNDC have offered to provide us the decorating materials so we’ve no excuse not to get on with it.

This weekend we will be working on the cafe: if you have some time please do come along and grab a paint brush – how ever much or little time you have. It is your cafe and we really do need your help to make it a success for the Park.

We also need your help in equipping the cafe – it is an empty shell. We all have odds and ends in the cupboards and we’re sure that together we can equip it without the need for too much expense.

In terms of running the cafe we will need (in no particular order, and by no means a complete list): Cutlery….knives, forks, dessert spoons, tea spoons, serving spoons; Crockery…side plates, large plates, tea cups, saucers, serving dishes, bowls; Glasses; Teapots; Kitchen utensils…..wooden spoons, knives, cake slicers, tongs Trays Sugar bowls/ dispensers; Milk jugs; Water jugs; Cake domes/ covers; Cafetieres; Plastic table cloths; Washing up bowl; Ramekins for butter and jam; Tupperware, all sizes; Flower vases; Dustpan and brush; Broom; Mop and bucket; Tea towels; Parasols Tables and chairs ( inside and outside); Bookcase; Bin. Please dig out what you can (there are bound to be other things we have forgotten) – it will all help us get up and running quickly.

In addition, there are some bigger items we will need, such as Fridge, Freezer, Microwave, Kettles, Coffee machines, Water urn. And a first aid kit.

Please look around to see if you have anything that could help; or ask your friends and neighbours.

If you can help with any of these items for your cafe, please let us know, bring them to the cafe on Monday, or let us know and we will come and collect.

Cakes and Crepes

We plan to keep everything simple so will be offering ‘cakes and crepes’ along side drinks and ice-creams. There is lots to plan, and lots to discuss. If all goes well we hope to open next Friday 7th August, so it really is all hands to the pump from now this week!

We have been impressed with the way NNDC have responded so quickly. Within 24 hours they had bought and delivered all the materials we need to renovate the cafe, completed the licence, and had the cafe electricity checked for compliance. We are also very grateful they are covering all bills for the 4 months so this will help us create some profits to feed directly back into the park.

We know that there is much more to the Park than the cafe, and we will be updating you with other opportunities we discussed with NNDC as soon as we get the cafe plans underway.
Barry Meadows
Secretary, chief cook and bottle washer, Friends of North Lodge Park

July 26, 2015

North Lodge Park: Plan B

Another twist in the saga

To be honest the twists in the saga of North Lodge Park this week caught us all by surprise, but we hope this marks the start of a positive phase for the Park after the frustrations of the past months.

For those of you who didn’t hear this week’s news: North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) kept strictly to their published deadline for the transfer, and as the Town Council hadn’t completed the transfer by 21st July the project was stopped. We understand this means that Cromer Town Council will not be taking ownership of the Park.

At this moment we don’t really know what this means for the Park, but hope to get some clarity on the situation over the coming days. We can’t even begin to speculate on what will happen next, we hope NNDC take account of the community view and that they will be prepared to work with us positively. I’d like to say watch this space, but I’m not sure it’s worth watching at the moment.

OK, watch this space.

Barry Meadows
(Confused and bewildered) secretary Friends of North Lodge Park

July 23, 2015

Twist in the Park story

Blame game under way as Cromer North Lodge Park deal collapses

From the EDP 23/7/2015

In a surreal twist to a tale of two councils and a prime north Norfolk leisure asset, one voted last night in favour of a deal the other had called off earlier in the day.

Cromer Town Council went ahead with its pre-arranged special meeting yesterday evening and decided it did want to sign paperwork and become the new owner of the clifftop North Lodge Park.

But park owners North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) had announced in the morning that, because the town council had not met an agreed absolute deadline of July 21, the transfer of ownership was off.

However Cromer mayor Tim Adams said no-one from NNDC had contacted the town council directly with that message, and they were therefore going ahead as if nothing had happened.

Each council blames the other for the collapse, which follows two years of negotiations

But news of NNDC’s move has been whole-heartedly welcomed by Tony Knight, chairman of the Friends of North Lodge Park.

“I’m delighted that something is actually finished – at least a decision has been made after all this time,” said Mr Knight.

He is looking forward to talking to NNDC about possibly forming a trust, including Friends members, to run the park.

“We’ve got a lot of people who are willing to roll up their sleeves and work with whoever owns the park,” he added.

“A trust would be the ideal situation. It would mean that the council gave a budget for the park and it was managed by the trust.”

Mr FitzPatrick said the council had originally considered transferring the park to a trust and would now look again at the idea, along with other possibilities.

The district council had hoped to conclude the town council deal, which would have included a £150,000 “dowry” to help the initiative get off the ground, in April 2014.

When that deadline was missed, the district council had continued negotiations. At the end of June the town council had agreed to an absolute deadline of July 21.

But Mr FitzPatrick said the town council’s solicitors had asked for changes to the agreement late on July 15.

“These had been agreed, but they had then wanted to make other alterations.

“I think we have been more than reasonable but we have to regard the greater interests of the district,” he said.

Mr Adams said it was the district council which had wanted to make last minute changes, to gain access rights over the park for any erosion repairs.

Final paperwork had not been received by the town council from the district’s solicitors until July 16 and the town council had been legally obliged to give its members four clear working days’ notice of a meeting, which meant it had to be July 22.

It had therefore asked the district for a two-day deadline delay but had received no response.

“This process has been scuppered and it’s inexcusable,” said Mr Adams.

He said the town council would publish a chronological list of its dealings with NNDC over the matter, to prove its case.

From the EDP 23/7/2015

July 20, 2015

The end really is in sight?

CTC have called an extra full council meeting for this Wednesday 22 July 2015 (cromertown.org) “to agree to sign paperwork for the transfer of North Lodge Park”; so without any last minute hitches by Thursday the park will be under the management of Cromer Town Council (two days after the immovable deadline given by NNDC!)

At the CTC full council meeting on the 6th July (cromertown.org): “Members considered the questions raised by the Friends of North Lodge Park at the last meeting and it was AGREED that the Clerk and Cllr. Harris will draft a reply. ”

We can only assume that the issues we raised have been taken into account by the council in the decisions they have made in taking on the Park, but to date we have not received the agreed response, nor have we had any indication about the recommendations we made at the end of April, and whether any of these have been considered in the decisions being made.

After careful consideration, it has been decided to continue taking a back seat and not going to the meeting Wednesday; there is little point of us reminding CTC of our concerns.

The Friends have not been part of any discussions, nor any planning for the start of ownership, and we do not know what part of the future CTC want the Friends to play in the Park.

July 10, 2015

North Lodge Park: Is the saga drawing to a close?

Apologies for a month of silence regarding the Park. Since the last update following the painful meeting at the beginning of June there has been little to report (unless you include lack of planting in the Park!), the Friends have not been involved as any activity has been in closed council sessions away from public view. Until now.

This week has seen two key decisions made.

North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) formally confirmed at their cabinet meeting on Monday 6th July the deadlines given to Cromer Town Council would be the last, and that if the transfer is not complete by 21st July the Park will not be transferred.
We have heard informally from two councillors that at the full council meeting (also on Monday 6th July) Cromer Town Council (CTC) confirmed they will proceed and have given NNDC their assurance that they will complete by the deadline.

This means that, unless any new issues should arise in the next 10 days, the Park will be under new ownership before the end of the month. We don’t know what this means, what the plans are, or how (if?) the Friends will be included in any planning or activities.

We do know that, whilst anything will be better than the neglected state the Park is in, CTC currently only have a budget to maintain the Park at a very basic level rather than the level it should be.

We are waiting a response to the serious questions we raised in early June; on Monday night CTC committed to providing a formal response – we hope this response will provide the community with the confidence we need for the future of the Park under the stewardship of Cromer Town Council.

You will be aware that the relationship between the Friends and CTC has been strained, and there have been some big differences of opinion. If the transfer does complete, for the sake of the Park, we must put that behind us and look forward. There will be challenges ahead – not least financial – but with the passion you have shown for the Park, if CTC want to work positively with the community we will find a way to make it work.

Come on Cromer Town Council – the ball’s in your Park.
Barry Meadows
Secretary, Friends of North Lodge Park.

July 2, 2015

Strict deadline looming

Strict deadline looming for Cromer Town Council to take over North Lodge Park

Sophie Wyllie, edp

The clock is ticking for Cromer Town Council to take ownership of a much-loved but stagnating clifftop park following 15 months of “frustrating” legal delays.

North Norfolk District Council, which owns North Lodge Park, has laid down the law dictating the legal transfer of ownership of the public space to the town council must be complete by July 21 this year.

As part of the process, the district council will give the town council £150,000 for the park. If the July deadline is not met by the town council, the district council said it would look at other options for future park maintenance.

The town council asked to take control of the area from the district council and, following the go-ahead from district council cabinet members in February last year, it was expected the legal transfer of ownership would be completed by spring that year.

But delays over legal issues, including covenants, have hampered the process.

Julie Chance, town council clerk, said: “Unfortunately it has taken a long time. The delays have been on both sides. We are just as frustrated as the district council.”

But district council leader Tom FitzPatrick said: “We were ready to transfer the park by April 30 last year. The delay doesn’t lie with us.”

The town council met this Tuesday’s strict deadline set by the district council to commit themselves to taking over the park ownership on a permanent freehold basis and to sign the legal contract by July 21.

Mr FitzPatrick said the district council was now digging into its reserves to maintain the park in an “unplanned way” after cancelling its Kier contract in anticipation of an ownership transfer last April.

“We are trying to make it look nice and have spent money on it. We didn’t put a new tenant in the cafe because we were hoping to transfer it to the town council. There is a stagnation in the park as a result and that is not of our choosing.

“We have to act as quickly as possible. We are now 15 months down the line and need a degree of certainty to what is happening,” he added.

A district council report said a considerable amount of officer time had been spent on the park transfer, diverting resources from other projects.

“It does not represent value for money for taxpayers to continue with this process indefinitely,” it added.

Mrs Chance said the council was fully committed to owning the park but needed to review legal issues thoroughly so there were no “nasty surprises”.

Council chairman Tim Adams said they would “pull out all the stops” to complete the transfer.

He added: “We as a council have been fighting for North Lodge Park for more than 10 years. There is a lot of public feeling for it and we all want to see it well-maintained. It is important we get this right.”

Tony Knight, chairman of Friends of North Lodge Park, separate from the town council, said: “There is a great frustration and disappointment over the park. It is not a good picture for Cromer. There is a great passion for the park hence the disappointment.”

He said the group, formed in March this year, was happy to work with any owner of the park.

Mr Adams said after a transfer immediate grass improvements needed to be made and bedding plants needed to be reintroduced.

He also hoped to attract more community events in the park, clean up the toilets and re-open the cafe, which has been closed for more than a year, as soon as possible.

But the council needed to decide on longer-term improvements as well as future uses for the park, which could take between five and 10 years to introduce.

from the edp 2 July 2015

June 9, 2015

The questions we asked.

The Friends of North Lodge Park was set up to oversee the future of North Lodge Park on behalf of the community. As such, we want to be confident that, if Cromer Town Council (CTC) were to take on ownership of the Park, its future would be sustainable in both the medium and long term.

Over the few months that we have been working with CTC, we have raised a number of concerns with the Park committee and these have not been answered satisfactorily. This has left us concerned about the future of the Park should CTC take on ownership.

Last week (Wednesday 3rd June) CTC called an extraordinary meeting to discuss the transfer project. We wanted to make sure the full council were aware of our concerns before making key decisions about whether to continue with the transfer project.

Our concerns are summarised here, with a full set of notes available online here.

1. Introduction

The Friends of North Lodge Park first asked the council to reconsider the extent to which:

they really wanted to own and manage the Park;
they had considered sufficiently what this entails and had ensured they had the capacity, skills and budget to make the Park a major community asset for Cromer;
the views and wishes of the community were seen as important in their decision making.

2. The transfer process

We asked two simple questions about the transfer project:

who has responsibility for managing this project?

This is a simple transfer of an asset between two public bodies – what has gone wrong?

If there are concerns why have these been allowed to drag on for 15 months?

who is in control of its escalating costs?

What are the legal costs to date and who will pay these costs? Whichever public body pays the legal fees it is still the people of Cromer who will have to pay – Cromer Town Council is responsible.

3. Budgets and planning

The Council’s Financial Regulation requires that when property or land is acquired there should be in place a report to Full Council that considers:

its valuation and details of covenants etc
a survey of its condition
a proper business case
and adequate consultation with the electorate.

We have not seen information with regard to these sensible requirements and asked if individual councillors were comfortable with these points, in particular whether they understood the budget, the business plan, the maintenance plan and the costs proposed for managing the Park.

We asked whether, individually, councillors know how the Park was to be funded (eg further precept increases, income from the proposed crematorium, the proposed ‘dowry’ or other income generation proposals), and why the budget was different from the business plan.

In conclusion, we asked pointedly, whether each councillor could confidently say: “I have seen all the facts and figures, they are reliable and well prepared, I understand the risks and I believe that we have a sound business case for managing the Park”, as their financial regulations and duty as Councillors requires.

4. Council procedures

Our experience of working with CTC has been uncomfortable and embarrassing; the procedures CTC are being advised to follow seem inconsistent and unwieldy. The procedures are there to protect CTC, to ensure due process is followed, to help manage the public’s money in an open and honest way; but unless they are used consistently, and properly, they are open to abuse and cause potential risks.

We are concerned that managing the Park within the current procedures would be difficult and there is considerable scope for improvement. The Park would be a new sort of asset for CTC to operate, bringing new challenges. We are uncomfortable with managing the Park without reviewing the operating procedures of the council.

We have already proposed changes, but these have not been adopted.

We asked the council whether, as individuals:

Are you comfortable with the advice you are given on the procedures you have to follow?
Are you happy to take on the management of a major visible asset for Cromer using procedures that aren’t appropriate?
Why is there such resistance to change? And where is this resistance coming from? Why not use the Friends committee as a catalyst for change?

5. The community

We have concerns about how CTC are working with, and plan to work with, the community in overseeing the Park. We asked the following questions

Many Councils recommend setting up a Trust to oversee park management, because they recognise they cannot do it on their own, what makes Cromer different?
Why would CTC show a total lack of interest in the findings of the community survey?
Why would CTC want to proceed with the transfer of the Park without engaging the help
of the community? Why would CTC not want a committee process and structure which embraces members of the community who are willing to give their time and resources to support and work with you?
Why would you not want to do everything you can to get the cafe open as soon as the transfer completes and why are you using the procedures that you have to prevent this community priority from happening?
Why is there such a lack of openness? Why do you not want the Friends to be able to vote on the committee?

June 5, 2015

NLP: the saga continues

Where next for the Park?

Cromer Town Council extraordinary Park meeting report

Some key decisions were made by Cromer Town Council on Wednesday night. We are issuing this brief interim newsletter to make you aware of what is, and isn’t, happening to your Park.

Last autumn, over 6 months ago, Cromer Town Council facilitated the creation of a community group to work with them on North Lodge Park. We all thought that, at last, there were to be some positive actions in the saga of the Park.

Unfortunately our hopes for progress this year were wrong, and they were completely dashed on Wednesday night.

At an extraordinary meeting of Cromer Town Council the council discussed how to proceed with the project to transfer ownership of the Park from the district.

The Friends used the opportunity to speak from the public gallery, to ask members of the council some serious questions about the project, the same questions we have been asking in the North Lodge Park committee meetings for some time. The debate in the meeting failed to answer our questions. (We are getting our notes together and will publish our questions soon so you know the details of what we asked.).

Our concerns have centred around the extent to which we feel the Council is prepared for the transfer; we have been told repeatedly that the council couldn’t spend much time and effort on preparation as the transfer might not go ahead.

Our view has always been that without proper preparation it would be impossible to be ready when the transfer occurs. Proper preparation is also essential to ensure that all implications are fully identified and considered before the decision is taken.

These very different views have caused tension and on Wednesday night we were accused of being confrontational and aggressive. One member questioned how much we had been Friends to the Council, missing the point that we are Friends of the Park and everything we have said and done has been in its best interest. We have been firm, maybe too firm at times, in the meetings but only as a result of trying to get satisfactory answers to our questions and also in trying to establish a more equal working relationship.

The council proceeded to vote on two points.

Cromer Town Council voted to dissolve their North Lodge Park committee, their mechanism for working with the community regarding the Park. Their rationale was that the committee was causing a distraction from the transfer project, and it is not needed until transfer has been completed..
Cromer Town Council voted to continue with the transfer project, without putting any time limits on completion, committing more public money on legal costs with no proposal on how to draw the issues to a close.

Apparently the District Council (NNDC) gave Cromer Town Council a deadline of the end of May to resolve any outstanding issues – we don’t know what the implications of not meeting this deadline are.

We are very disappointed with the conclusion, and angry with how the decision was reached without any consideration of the community view, and no debate around the important issues we raised.

We leave you to draw your own conclusions while we re-group to determine how the Friends of North Lodge Park continue. Our focus has always been to put the Park first, and we will continue to do that in these very difficult circumstances.

We hope to speak to NNDC in the coming days to understand their position on working with the Friends

Many thanks to you all for your support, and apologies for not being able to personally reply to your emails offering support and practical help – we really appreciate the positive way you have responded to us – it is your support that gives us the energy to continue.

Barry Meadows
(very disgruntled) Secretary, Friends of North Lodge Park