NFNPA 244 08 Annex 2
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NFNPA 244/08 Annex 2 NEW FOREST NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY AUTHORITY MEETING – 26 MARCH 2008 MOBILE INTERPRETATION AND INFORMATION UNIT 1 Introduction 1.1 This annex describes the proposed model for operation of a mobile information and interpretation unit for the next thee years, starting with a pilot season in summer 2008. 2 Description of the unit 2.1 Staff have worked with Haley Sharpe Design to select a vehicle and develop its livery and content. 2.2 The option chosen for the mobile unit is a small van, and the currently favoured make is the diesel Megavan 600. This can be driven on a normal licence, is very fuel efficient (80 miles/gallon) and meets EU emissions regulations. The standard Kubota diesel engine means that it can be serviced easily, using local garages. 2.3 Initial display content will include: display panels conveying information about the Park; eye-catching banners / awnings an A-board indicating presence of the unit at a particular car park / location at entrance two larger interactives, such as a stepping stones game and roller post leaflet racks storage. 2.4 Content will develop over the life of the unit and use other resources (such a magnetic interactive or a National Park snakes and ladders game) planned for the New Forest Show and other events. 3 Locations 3.1 We plan to use the unit at the following kinds of locations: coast (Lepe Country Park, Calshot, Keyhaven, Milford on Sea) Crown Land (main recreational sites including car parks: Balmer Lawn, Hatchet Pond, Bolton’s Bench, Deerleap, Whitefield Moor, Wilverley Plain, Linford Bottom, Blackwater, Cadnam Cricket, Picket Post, Dibden; Reptile Centre and campsites); 18 New Forest National Park Authority Meeting NFNPA 244/08 26 March 2008 Education and Interpretation Strategy Update Annex 2 other open areas (Hampshire County Council commons, National Trust commons); visitor attractions (Paulton’s Park, Otter and Owl Centre, Sandy Balls, Motor Museum); towns and villages (Burley, Beaulieu, Brockenhurst, Lymington, Exbury, Waterside, Ringwood, New Milton, Fordingbridge); further afield (Southampton, Bournemouth, Christchurch, Salisbury). 3.2 Many of these locations were identified in the Tourism South East 2005 survey as having high to very high weekend summer use. 3.3 The unit would also be used at other times, for example at a winter fair or town market or during February half-term and as an extension of the Authority’s existing education work by using this innovative resource to take messages directly into schools on week days during term time. 3.4 When not in use, the unit will be stored at South Efford House. 4 Staffing and operation 4.1 There are, in 2008, 112 days between Easter and October half-term which would form the main season of the unit. This includes all holidays and weekends. 4.2 During 2008 the trial season will start in July and run until the end of October. 4.3 It is proposed that a seasonal mobile unit ranger be employed by the Authority from July to October 2008 to co-ordinate the running of the unit, to provide the main Authority presence on the unit and work with partner representatives. 4.4 The ranger would be based at South Efford House, but the majority of time would be operating the unit. When at South Efford House, the ranger would have access to a hot desk which could be shared with work experience students, as proposed by the Education Officer in the draft Work Placement Policy. Duties at South Efford House would include confirming partner staffing arrangements, activity development, health and safety, analysing visitor survey data and cleaning the unit and equipment. 4.5 The pay band of the position for 2008 has been discussed with Human Resources and it has been agreed that a pay band 2 (£14,274) would be the most appropriate. As an initial guide, we used the Forestry Commission seasonal rangers and the Aren’t Birds Brilliant assistant, as well as seasonal rangers in other areas. In future years, after a full review of the 2008 season, the job should externally be evaluated. 19 New Forest National Park Authority Meeting NFNPA 244/08 26 March 2008 Education and Interpretation Strategy Update Annex 2 4.6 The hours of work would be 37 hours a week through a shift system including three weekends out of four. Pro-rata holiday allowance would be provided. 4.7 Operating guidelines will be drawn up to cover health and safety and correct operation of the unit. The unit would generally be manned by two people (the unit ranger and someone from a partner organisation) but a correct system to cover staff must be in place even if there is only one operating the unit. When the unit is operating away from a site where there are toilets, staff must be given adequate time to visit the nearest toilets. Basic first aid training will need to be provided. A mobile phone will need to be provided, with relevant out of hours and weekend contact details. 4.8 The Forestry Commission is strongly supportive of the concept and has committed volunteer and seasonal ranger time to the unit when operating on Crown Land. 4.9 The National Trust has also indicated support in National Trust car parks, for example in the very busy Moyles Court and Rockford Common area. 4.10 The education officer at the New Forest Centre (who also is the education representative for the commoning community) has indicated that Centre staff and local commoners could assist. 5 Budget 5.1 The following table outlines the cost of operating the unit over the next three years, allowing for 3% inflation. Item 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 Mega van hire purchase over three years @ £5,100 £5,253 £5,411 £425 per month Staffing and running costs (3½ rising to 7 £4,163 £8,316 £8,565 months) Fuel and equipment: £3,055 £6,110 £6,293 Design, artwork, display and fixtures £18,700 £1,000 £1,030 Livery and additional vehicle coachwork, insurance £1,500 Totals £32,518 £20,679 £21,299 20 6 Visuals 6.1 Visual 1 21 6.2 Visual 2 22 6.3 Visual 3 23 .