the Park

give us your ideas

Behind the scenes your elected committee (of ordinary residents like you) is actively seeking out views from the community on what you want in your Park. With over 400 of our Park surveys returned and still 3 weeks to go it is clear that there is considerable interest in North Lodge Park. Whilst this is more results than the previous survey (March 2007) we still need your help getting the message across – please ask your family and friends to complete the survey – online at northlodgepark.org.uk or pick up a paper copy from Budgens.

Cromer Town Council North Lodge Park committee

The Cromer Town Council (CTC) North Lodge Park committee met on 19th March, which was the first time the elected Friends representatives had an opportunity to raise many of the issues you asked about at the AGM. Legally, this is a formally structured meeting run under strict rules but within this it is clear that the Town Council want to work in partnership with us and are looking for the Friends to be creative in bringing forward ideas for the Park.

In response to the questions we raised on your behalf:

• there are no agreed figures on how much the Park has cost NNDC to maintain – it seems NNDC have not shared this information – so we are unable to confirm any of the figures being quoted
  therefore, the 2015/16 CTC North Lodge Park budget is a best-guess, but is a minimal maintenance budget
• the budget includes maintaining the toilets (for which rates are payable), but not the thatched ‘collectors cabin’ (as this addition came after the budget was set) on which rates are payable (unbelievable!); the budget does not include rates for putting should this be reinstated
• the café will pay its own business rates when opened
• NNDC are paying the legal costs for the transfer
• there are no plans for the ‘dowry’ (although £3k has been used this year to balance the budget)

We made it clear to the Council it is obvious from the survey results so far that you do not want another year without some investment in the Park, and that we need to expedite any processes needed for action this year, for example opening the café (recognising the Park is much more than just the café) . In addition

• CTC want to have a set of ‘rules and regulations’ for the Park and have asked the Friends to help develop these
• CTC have agreed to work with the Friends on an expedited process to open the café this year
• There are issues about vehicles in the Park which will need urgent attention when the transfer is complete: unauthorised access, parking and speed. There are vehicular rights of way and parking rights in the Park to be considered. CTC have asked the Friends to work with them on addressing the issues.
• CTC have agreed to continue printing posters, handouts and surveys for the Friends
• CTC agreed to link to our website from cromertown.org

Where next…

CTC have always stated that they have not made any plans for the Park because they wanted the community input; it is the Friends role – your role – to help provide this. It is clear that CTC have adhered to this, which means that plans for taking on the Park are at an early stage of development. As well as compiling a report from the survey results, the Friends will need to help CTC manage the transition period.

Our plan now is to prepare a report which:

• provides an analysis of the survey data for publishing by the end of April
• makes clear recommendations, based on the survey, for specific immediate actions which should be taken
• outlines a set of longer term recommendations, based on the survey, for development of the Park

This plan will be presented to CTC on 30 April, on the website and at an open meeting with you in early May.

There is a lot to do over the next month – we ask your patience if we aren’t as pro-active in keeping you as up to date as we would like. If you want more information, you can contact one of the committee, follow us on social media, or write to us friends@northlodgepark.org.uk

 

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If you would like to financially support the Friends of North Lodge Park (and get your I♥NLP badge) you can print a joining form here and return it with your contribution to North Lodge.

At the first committee meeting of the Friends of North Lodge Park last night the officers were elected by the committee.  They are:

• chair: Tony Knight
• vice-chair: Emma Dale
• treasurer: Rosemary Price
• secretary: Barry Meadows

 

Nearly 100 people packed into Cromer’s Garden Street Community Centre on 4 March for the inaugural meeting of the Friends of North Lodge Park to “have their say” on the future of the Park.

“The Friends feel passionately about the Park, most of us remember when it was a lively place with lots of facilities,” said Friends steering group chair Carolyn Candish. “The formation of the Friends of North Lodge Park is the first opportunity for the community to be part of the decision-making process about what happens in the park.”

North Lodge Park is in the process of being transferred from NNDC to Cromer Town Council, and the meeting heard that Cromer Town Council had agreed a budget of £21,626 for the Park in 2015-16, with a £150,000 ‘dowry’ from NNDC also available. Concern was expressed by several people at the meeting whether the Town Council budget was sufficient as it seemed much lower than previous figures quoted by NNDC for running the Park.

“Assuming there are no further hold-ups, the transfer could take place by the end of March, “ said Carolyn Candish. “There won’t be an open cheque-book, but both the Town Council and the Friends will be able to apply for grants for specific projects.”

A widespread questionnaire consultation has been designed to start the process of collecting ideas to feed into plans for the Park. Launching the questionnaire, Tony Knight from the Friends steering group said: “The Friends’ key role is representing the views of the community, to be able to say ‘people want this’ or ‘don’t want that’ on their behalf.

“This questionnaire is very much a starting point in this process, an opportunity to collect ideas to help come up with a plan to discuss with the Town Council. “It will provide evidence of the feelings from the community”.

“It’s about looking forward and being positive. It’s a fresh starting point, a clean sheet of paper.”

The two-page questionnaire – available online and in paper form – is designed to provide a flavour of the sort of developments, if any, people would like to see in the Park.

Local people lost no time at the meeting to air some of their views during a lively half-hour open discussion, with memories of good experiences in the Park and a hope that the Park will be restored and properly maintained for future generations.

Local architect Bernard Smith said: “This is a new beginning for the park, and we’ve got to think of the youth of the future, so the park has to change. This is the beginning of a process, so let’s be positive.”

The results of the questionnaire will be used to develop plans with the Town Council when ownership of the park is transferred from the District Council, explained Carolyn Candish.

“Even though the transfer of the park is not yet complete, the Friends are up and running to represent the views of people in Cromer about what they want to see in North Lodge Park,” she concluded.

“Becoming a Friend of North Lodge Park will mean the chance to help develop its future, open up creative opportunities, and be a lot of fun.”

A Friends’ membership fee of £5 per household/family was also agreed at the meeting. The questionnaire can be completed online at northlodgepark.org.uk; paper copies are available from Budgens in Cromer.

North Lodge Park needs your ideas

Community Consultation launched by the Friends of North Lodge Park

The Friends of North Lodge Park group want everyone in Cromer and visiors to have their say in the future of North Lodge Park.

“It is essential that the Friends represent the views of people in Cromer and visitors about what they want to see in North Lodge Park; this consultation is designed to start the process of feeding ideas into plans for the park.”

Please fill in the survey online here

If you would prefer you can print the questionnaire and complete it on paper.

This morning (Saturday 28th February) with the Park entrance decked with bunting the HMS Clarke (the boat was named in honour of RW Clarke who gave the boating lake to the town in 1957) was launched in the boating lake.

The event to promote next week’s NLP Friends Launch AGM was a great success: the boat stole the show (as was expected), Carolyn made an excellent launch speech as HMS Clarke slid gently into the water, Hubba took photographs for the press, champagne was used to toast the Friends, and the snacks provided by Lizzie (even though she couldn’t be there – that’s commitment) were delicious.

 

And thanks to the North Norfolk News for publishing the story so quickly: northnorfolknews.co.uk

The biggest thanks of the day must go to Robert whose ship-building skills have not gone to waste, nor his joy of paddling in the boating lake in February.

This SATURDAY 28th February at 11.00am in your Park

The Launch AGM for the Friends of North Lodge Park is next Wednesday (4th March).
To promote the launch, this SATURDAY (28th February) the steering group will be launching a ship in the boating lake in the Park.   It’s not an ocean going liner, but we’re sure that RW Clarke (who donated the boating lake to Cromer) would be supportive.

Please come along and support the launch, meet some Friends and help.

For immediate release

11 February 2015

Contact: Carolyn Candish

Telephone: 01263 519682

Email: friends@northlodgepark.org.uk

North Lodge Park needs Friends

Opportunity for involvement in the future of North Lodge Park, Cromer

The launch meeting of a new community group to ensure that the views of the people in Cromer are fully taken into account in improving North Lodge Park will be held next month.

The inaugural Annual General Meeting of the Friends of North Lodge Park will be at 7 pm on Wednesday 4 March 2015 in the Cromer Community Centre (formerly WI Hall) at the top of Garden Street, Cromer.

This meeting will:

* give an update on the current and future management of North Lodge Park

* outline how the Friends will work closely with the managers of the Park

* launch a questionnaire to find out what people want to see happen in the Park

* appoint a committee that will protect, enhance and promote North Lodge Park as a place of recreation and enjoyment for the long term benefit of the local community and visitors.

Cromer Town Council has been negotiating to take over the Park from North Norfolk District Council for some time, and is keen to work with the community in managing the Park. In response, a steering group of local people came together last October as ‘Friends of North Lodge Park’ to help guide future developments in partnership with the Town Council.

Interim Friends chair Carolyn Candish said: “Over the last few years there have been several proposals for development in the park, but unfortunately nothing has happened, and North Lodge Park has become tired looking and in need of some care. ”

Much work has already taken place in establishing close working relationships between the Friends and Cromer Town Council in preparation for the expected change of management of the Park from the District to Cromer Town Council.

The public appointment of a Friends Committee at an AGM is the next step in the process to provide representatives with a mandate to speak for the community.

Carolyn added “If for any reason the expected change of management does not take place, the Friends will seek to create similar joint working arrangements with whoever manages North Lodge Park”.

North Lodge Park is the five-acre open space perched on the cliff-top east of Cromer town centre around North Lodge, home of the Cromer Town Council.

The park has been a public space since the late 1920s when Cromer Urban District Council purchased North Lodge and grounds for £5,500. The general arrangement of North Lodge Park reflects its history of acquisition and donations by many members of the public.

In 1974 the park and buildings were transferred to North Norfolk District Council following a Local Government Review. The North Lodge building was sold back to Cromer Town Council in 2005.

To find out more visit the website northlodgepark.org.uk or email friends@northlodgepark.org.uk

Come along and share your ideas for North Lodge Park

Full details are on the AGM page

The Friends of North Lodge Park group is being set up to work in partnership with Cromer Town Council to manage the park (when ownership is handed over from the district council).

A Draft Constitution has been agreed, and plans are underway to formally adopt this in March 2015 and then elect your committee.