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Flat Holm Operations ` A Report of the Economy and Culture Scrutiny Committee FLAT HOLM OPERATIONS November 2012 County Council of The City and County of Cardiff CONTENTS Chair’s Foreword 3 Terms of Reference 4 Key Findings 4 Recommendations 7 Background 9 Management 13 Visitor Information 18 Flat Holm Transportation 21 Water Supply 26 Marketing 27 Flat Holm Accommodation 29 Education 31 Wider Partnerships 32 Inquiry Methodology 33 Legal Implications 34 Financial Implications 35 Committee Membership 37 Terms of Reference 35 2 CHAIR’S FOREWORD Flat Holm is an island with a wealth of history & environmental interest that is largely unrecognised by many of our citizens. A site of special scientific interest it has a lot to offer schools, colleges, universities and tourists, but it is not reaching its full potential. In times of financial pressure there is a need to scrutinise non-statutory services to ensure value for money for the Council Tax payer. The scrutiny of the Flat Holm operations, a non statutory service, examined the key issues affecting the island, and considered the opportunities to enhance income generation whilst being conscious of the need to protect its environment balance. Utilising witness statements, site visits and information from key officers we have investigated a range of issues Flat Holm faces including transportation, footfall, marketing, the educational offer, accommodation etc and have developed ten recommendations that I believe if implemented would place the island on a firmer footing during this period of financial pressure. As a member of this Task and Finish Group, I am very grateful to Councillors Phil Hawkins, Joe Boyle, Mohammad Javed, Dilwar Ali and Chris Weaver for their commitment and input into our work. I would like to thank all the witnesses who willingly gave their time to present evidence to the group as well as the Council Officers who were able to willingly assist us. I would also like to put on record my respect and admiration for all those involved in the Flat Holm project, both officers and volunteers go above and beyond to protect and enhance the island, a treasure for Cardiff City Council. Councillor Craig Williams (Scrutiny Committee Chairperson) 3 TERMS OF REFERENCE To scrutinise the operations at Flat Holm Island and examine options to enhance revenue. By examining: Flat Holm budget Visitor numbers and perceptions The facilities available The marketing activity undertaken Exploring with officers the options available to enhance revenue. Views were sought from the public and Flat Holm Society. Members of the task and finish group were Councillors Craig Williams, Joe Boyle, Mohammad Javed, Dilwar Ali, Phil Hawkins and Christopher Weaver. KEY FINDINGS 1. The island of Flat Holm is a site of Special Scientific Interest, is staffed by the Flat Holm Project and with a wealth of historic sites it could be described as a living museum. There is a delicate balance to be struck between the need to preserve the island’s assets and the need during times of budgetary constraints, to generate tourist related income. 2. Cardiff Harbour Authority Business Plan (2014) contains some detail relating to the development of Flat Holm. The island’s staff and volunteers have several ideas for improvement and a short term forward plan for the island exists with six priorities for improvement. Awareness levels of these plans appear to be limited. 3. A key issue in improving the tourist offer and footfall to the island is that of transportation. In 2012 45% of the trips planned for Flat Holm were cancelled mainly due to adverse weather conditions and the total number of trips available are also limited due to tidal issues exacerbated by a landing stage that is in need of modernisation and repair. 4 4. The majority of the trips to the island are provided by the Lewis Alexander that has a capacity of approximately 45 passangers. The boat is 25 years old and in need of significant maintenance in the near future. Commercial boat operators believe that demand exists for trips to Flat Holm and careful consideration of the Council fees is required to ensure that provision is viable. There is a debate as to the appropriateness of the vessels available to transport the public across the island with ‘ribs’ providing a fast service with low numbers of the public and purpose built, bow loading, island Class passenger vessels providing greater capacity up to 100 people. 5. Flat Holm boasts two helipads that are utilised for emergency purposes. Commercial helicopter operators are available to transport the public to and from the island and this potential method of transport has not been realised to date. 6. Flat Holm does not have its own fresh water supply. In order to meet water regulations during 2012 the water storage facilities were improved, disrupting the island’s supply and business. There are potential opportunities to gain a water supply via a borehole and this would require significant investment. 7. A range of marketing activity has been attempted to increase the number of visitors to the island, ranging from attracting hen and stag do’s to corporate events. Flat Holm’s strength is however considered by many to be sustainability and environmental. 8. The provision of overnight stays has the potential to increase the income of the island significantly. A range of basic accommodation is available on the island and a self catering option at the Fog Horn Cottage is currently under development utilising a limited budget and volunteers. Other potential accommodation options exist such, as ‘glamping’ and the light house accommodation. 9. The island’s provision of environmental/sustainability education is valued by several educational institutions ranging from primary to higher education. There appear to be opportunities to enhance Flat Holm’s offer further by becoming a recognised field study centre, embedding itself further in the environmental 5 related GCSE and A Level curriculum and linking with the Centre for Alternative Technology. 10.Flat Holm benefits from active volunteers coordinated through the Flat Holm Society and other charities. Public suggestions for improvement highlight the need to involve more partners in the management of the island. Suggestions included Centre for Alternative Technology, Somerset Council etc. 6 RECOMMENDATIONS The Task and Finish group has developed recommendations from the key findings mentioned previously, which are based in turn on the body of evidence presented in the report. The Task and Finish group would recommend the Council’s Cabinet to: R1. Consult and identify the correct balance between protecting the natural environment and increasing the footfall and income of Flat Holm island. R2. Develop a long term costed plan for Flat Holm island that identifies areas for investment and potential alternative funding sources such as lottery funding, European funding, educational funding, private finance, invest to save etc. R3. Prioritise as a part of the existing forward plan the development of the landing stage. R4. Investigate the viability of Lewis Alexander boat, evaluate and develop a range of suitable options to transport more visitors to Flat Holm whilst meeting operational needs. This should include the evaluating involvement of commercial boat operators. R5. Develop a coherent branding and marketing approach for Flat Holm that builds on the island’s environmental and sustainability credentials. This could take the form of eco tourism or the educational offer. R6. Increase the accommodation available for public overnight stays on Flat Holm, at the Farm House, Barracks and Drift Wood and formally negotiate with Trinity House regarding the possibilities of using the lighthouse accommodation. The Task Group also support the plans to develop ‘glamping’ on the island. R7. Ensure that any long term plans are aligned to the availability of electricity and water supply. Investigate the feasibility of a bore hole to ensure the security of clean water supply for the island. 7 R8. Develop a range of visitor packages for Flat Holm that include the provision of private helicopter trips. R9. Formally pursue Flat Holm as a residential field studies centre that provides high quality, academic field courses for British and overseas students in order to increase the demand from education providers. The centre should offer a comprehensive selection of fieldwork courses (e.g. geography, ecology, geology, environmental studies and outdoor education) for all ages and abilities. R10. Actively pursue a more inclusive approach to the management of the island that engenders a regional approach, brings in new partners and new opportunities for growth. Such partners could include the Centre for Alternative Technology, higher education, private and voluntary sectors, and bordering Local Authorities. 8 Background 1. Flat Holm is a limestone island lying in the Bristol Channel approximately 6 km (4 miles) from Lavernock Point in the Vale of Glamorgan, but in the City and County of Cardiff. It includes the most southerly point of Wales. 2. The island has a long history of occupation, dating at least from Anglo-Saxon and Viking periods. Religious uses include visits by disciples of Saint Cadoc in the 6th century, and in 1835 it was the site of the foundation of the Bristol Channel Mission, which later became the Mission to Seafarers. A sanatorium for cholera patients was built in 1896 as the isolation hospital for the port of Cardiff. Guglielmo Marconi transmitted the first wireless signals over open sea from Flat Holm to Lavernock. 3. It is now managed by Cardiff Council's Flat Holm Project Team and designated as a Local Nature Reserve, Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Protection Area The SSSI designation covers biological and earth science interest including the significant breeding colonies of Lesser Black-backed Gull ( Larus fuscus ), maritime cliff communities, rare plant assemblages including the Wild Leek ( Allium ampeloprasum ) and Flat Holm limestone.
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