Chorleywood House Estate Local Nature Reserve Management Plan
Appendices
Appendices
Appendix 1: Contacts at the Chorleywood House Estate Local Nature Reserve ...... 3 Appendix 2: Wider Context: Policies and Strategies which relate to the LNR...... 4 Strategic Plan 2012 – 2015 ...... 4 Community Strategy ...... 4 Local Plan and the Emerging Local Development Framework...... 5 1.1.1.1 Policy N.1 of the current Local Plan deals with Nature Conservation ...... 5 1.1.1.2 Policy N.2 deals with Sites of Nature Conservation Importance ...... 5 1.1.1.3 Policy N.3 deals with Protected Species...... 6 1.1.1.4 Policy N.20 of the Local Plan relates to Protection of the Chilterns AONB ...... 6 1.1.1.5 Policy L.7 of the Local Plan deals with Sport in the Countryside ...... 6 County Biodiversity Action Plan (revised 2006)...... 7 Additional Three Rivers District Council Policies...... 7 Appendix 3: Community and Public Access ...... 8 Licences and Tenants within Chorleywood House Estate...... 8 Byelaws for the Local Nature Reserve ...... 9 Sample Equality Impact Assessment ...... 15 The Friends of Chorleywood House Estate Constitution...... 15 The Friends of Chorleywood House Estate Constitution...... 16 The Friends of Chorleywood House Estate Latest Minutes ...... 18 Volunteer Time Sheet...... 21 Chorleywood Community Orchard Constitution ...... 22 Chorleywood Community Orchard Latest Minutes ...... 25 Appendix 4: Health and Safety...... 28 Building Maintenance Schedule ...... 28 Sample Risk Assessments ...... 31 Example of Ground Maintenance Inspection Sheet ...... 33 Chorleywood House Estate Tree Survey 2011/12 ...... 34 Relevant extract from the TRDC Grounds Maintenance Contract in relation to litter, cleanliness and vandalism at the LNR ...... 35 Relevant extract from the TRDC Grounds Maintenance Contract in relation to the location of bins, waste storage and recycling (including composting) within the Local Nature Reserve ...... 37 Appendix 5: Environmental Information ...... 39 Location Plan of Chorleywood House Estate Local Nature Reserve ...... 39 Site Plan of Chorleywood House Estate Local Nature Reserve...... 40 Watercolour Map Extract from Interpretation Panel and Leaflet of the Local Nature Reserve...... 41 Location Plan of the Chorleywood House Estate Wildlife Site...... 42 Historical Pictures and Site Plan of the Chorleywood House Estate...... 43 Grounds Maintenance Contract...... 46 Selection of press coverage/publicity relating to the Local Nature Reserve...... 46
2 Appendix 1: Contacts at the Chorleywood House Estate Local Nature Reserve
Kay FitzGerald, Biodiversity Projects Officer, Three Rivers District Council 01923 776611 www.threerivers.gov.uk [email protected]
Julie Hughes, Principal Landscape Officer, Three Rivers District Council 01923 776611 www.threerivers.gov.uk [email protected]
Countryside Management Service 01462 459395 [email protected] http://www.hertslink.org/cms/
Friends of Chorleywood House Estate [email protected] http://www.chorleywoodhouse.org.uk
Chorleywood Common Youth Football Club 01923 775497 http://www.ccyfc.net/ [email protected]
Residents Association 01923 537637 [email protected] http://www.chorleywoodresidents.co.uk/
Rickmansworth and Chorleywood District Scouts 0845 053 0437 http://www.hertfordshirescouts.org.uk/ [email protected]
Chorleywood Lawn Tennis Club 01923 284199 http://www.chorleywoodtennis.co.uk/
Parish Clerk, Chorleywood Parish Council 01923 285594 http://www.chorleywood-pc.gov.uk [email protected]
Hertfordshire Police 101(non-emergency) http://www.herts.police.uk
Local Police and Police Community Support Officers Chorleywood, Croxley Green and Sarratt 01707 354192 http://snt.herts.police.uk/aCMS/team.php?nptID=31&dID=8
3 Appendix 2: Wider Context: Policies and Strategies which relate to the LNR
TRDC is continually working towards achieving the aims and objectives of a number of strategies and policies. The overall vision of Three Rivers District Council is:
Three Rivers should remain a prosperous, safe and healthy place where people want and are able to live and work.
Strategic Plan 2012 – 2015
The Council’s Strategic Plan brings together the high level, medium-term and long-term objectives which the Council considers its priorities for the District and focuses on those areas where the Council has a lead role, or can play a key part in delivering or influencing the outcomes. The management of the Local Nature Reserve aims to meet the overarching themes within the Council’s Strategic Plan of:
• Safety and Wellbeing – we shall work with partners to make the district a safer place and we shall provide a safe and healthy environment. • Clean and Green – we want to provide equal access to services and facilities for the public within the district and surrounding area and in particular address the needs of vulnerable residents such as elderly, disabled and young people. In addition, we want to maintain a high quality environment and reduce the eco-footprint of the district. • Economic Opportunities – we shall work in partnership to promote the economic prospects for all our communities. • Customer Service – we shall deliver services to a standard that meets the needs and expectations of all of our customers and provides exemplary value for money.
There are many strands of the Strategic Plan that the Local Nature Reserve helps fulfil. For example:
1.1: We will work with partners to make the District a safer place 1.2: We will provide a safe and healthy environment 2.1: We want to maintain a high quality local environment and reduce the eco- footprint of the District 4.1: Customers - We will deliver services to a standard that meet the needs and expectations of all of our customers
The full Strategic Plan can be viewed at: http://www.threerivers.gov.uk/Default.aspx/Web/StrategicPlan
Links to Local Development Framework and its associated documents can be found at: http://www.threerivers.gov.uk/Default.aspx/Web/LocalDevelopmentFramework
Community Strategy
A number of further strategies sit beneath the Council’s Strategic Plan, the most important and significant, in relation to the Local Nature Reserve being:
Community Strategy The Community Strategy has been developed by members of the Local Strategic Partnership in Three Rivers which works to improve the quality of life for people of the district by working in partnership to ensure Three Rivers is safe, healthy and prosperous and somewhere people want and are able to live, work and visit.
4 The purpose of the strategy is to focus the attention of representatives from key service providers (public, voluntary and private) on areas of local service provision that need most improvement and that can be delivered through local partnership working.
The priorities identified in the strategy are:
• Children and young people’s wellbeing • Health and disability • Adult skills and employment • Affordable housing • Crime and antisocial behaviour
The full Community Strategy can be downloaded from: http://www.threerivers.gov.uk/Default.aspx/Web/LocalStrategicPartnership
Local Plan and the Emerging Local Development Framework
The Three Rivers Local Plan is the framework for guiding, controlling and facilitating development within the Three Rivers District, for the period 1996-2011. The Local Plan is due to be replaced by the Three Rivers Local Development Framework as the Government has introduced radical changes to the planning system. Three Rivers District Council is currently preparing a replacement for the Local Plan which will be called the Three Rivers Local Development Framework.
As the Local Plan stands there are several policies in place which relate to nature conservation and, therefore, the Local Nature Reserve. The Nature Conservation objectives as outlined in Chapter 2 (Natural Environment and Resources) of the Three Rivers Local Plan are:
a. To minimise the impact of development on wildlife and natural habitats… b. To identify, protect and enhance critical wildlife habitats and rare species. c. To contribute to biodiversity targets in the Hertfordshire Local Biodiversity Action Plan.
1.1.1.1 Policy N.1 of the current Local Plan deals with Nature Conservation
It states how the Council will take into full account the likely effects that any development will have on nature conservation, and that it will be judged against the following: i. The likelihood that there will be significant adverse impacts from the proposed development. ii. The national, regional or local status, importance, and sensitivity of a site or species which may be adversely affected. The possibility that planning permission can be granted subject to conditions or a planning obligation to fully mitigate or compensate for any actual or potential harm. iii. The submission of clear reasons why the proposal cannot be located where no harm would be caused to nature conservation interests.
1.1.1.2 Policy N.2 deals with Sites of Nature Conservation Importance
In (2) it deals with proposals for development likely to have an adverse effect on a Local Nature Reserve, Wildlife Site or Regionally Important Geological Site as shown on the Proposals Map. These will not be permitted unless the need for the proposal clearly outweighs the nature conservation value of the site. (3) Where such development is permitted, damage should be kept to a minimum. The Council will impose conditions and/or in appropriate cases, expect developers to enter into planning agreements to ensure the implementation of works to mitigate or compensate for any harm caused.
5 (4) The Council will encourage the positive management and enhancement of all sites of nature conservation interest, and may seek to enter into a management agreement with the owner of a site whenever appropriate. (5) The Council will support proposals which will increase the number, size and diversity of nature conservation sites. Wherever possible, new developments should provide for the retention of existing habitats and wildlife features and for the creation of appropriate new habitats.
1.1.1.3 Policy N.3 deals with Protected Species
The policy states that the Council will not permit development which is likely to have a significant adverse effect on any species afforded special protection under UK or European Community law, or identified in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan as in need of particular conservation action.
Policy N.3 goes on to state that where development is permitted which may affect a specially protected species, the Council may impose conditions and may seek to enter into planning obligations to mitigate the effects wherever appropriate.
1.1.1.4 Policy N.20 of the Local Plan relates to Protection of the Chilterns AONB
Within the Chilterns AONB the Council will give priority to conservation and enhancement of the existing landscape. Major development proposals affecting the Chilterns AONB will be regarded as inconsistent with the aims of the designation, except where it is proven that the development is in the national interest and no alternative site outside the AONB is available. To be acceptable, development must also accord with the Green Belt policies of this Plan and be of the highest standard of design and siting, reflecting the landscape, traditional character of buildings in the area and using local materials. Development will only be permitted within the Chilterns AONB where there is no harm to the natural beauty of the landscape.
1.1.1.5 Policy L.7 of the Local Plan deals with Sport in the Countryside
(1) Proposals for sport in the countryside will only be permitted where they: i. Do not cause disturbance to areas of the countryside which are considered to be quiet, or involve the loss of residential amenity, through traffic or noise generation. ii. Do not adversely affect any site of nature conservation interest. In particular, applications for motor sports or war-game activities will only be permitted on land which is of no nature conservation interest. iii. Provide adequate off-road parking, which does not involve hard surfacing, excessive signage or other structures, or otherwise have a significant visual impact on the area. (2) If appropriate, applicants will be expected to demonstrate that they have considered all locations away from residential areas, on degraded land or in areas of high ambient noise levels as a first course of action. Particularly disturbing activities such as gun and motor sports will be subject to this requirement.
The Local Plan can be viewed at: http://www.threerivers.gov.uk/Default.aspx/Web/LocalPlan
The emerging Local Development Framework can be viewed at: http://www.threerivers.gov.uk/Default.aspx/Web/LocalDevelopmentFramework
6 County Biodiversity Action Plan (revised 2006)
In 1998, as Hertfordshire’s response to the national biodiversity planning process, a 50 year vision for the wildlife and natural habitats of the county was prepared on behalf of the Hertfordshire Environmental Forum by the Hertfordshire and Middlesex Wildlife Trust. This represented the first Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) for the county and identifies those species and habitats which are a conservation priority and provides valuable information on the county’s natural assets.
The BAP identifies key species and habitats within Hertfordshire that are significant at a nation and/or local level. There are numerous colonies of Coralroot Bittercress, a Biodiversity Action Plan species, located within the Local Nature Reserve. Coralroot Bittercress is associated with ancient, primarily beech, woods which are on drier, basic soils. Chorleywood House Estate Local Nature Reserve is, in fact, the main area within the county in which this nationally rare plant can be found.
Additional Three Rivers District Council Policies
Further policies which are relevant to the Local Nature Reserve are:
Woodland Management Plan http://www.threerivers.gov.uk/Default.aspx/Web/WoodlandsManagementPlan
Community Safety Strategy http://www.threerivers.gov.uk/Default.aspx/Web/CommunitySafety
Procurement Strategy http://www.threerivers.gov.uk/Default.aspx/Web/CouncilPoliciesPlans
Safeguarding Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults Policy http://www.threerivers.gov.uk/Default.aspx/Web/CouncilPoliciesPlans
Value for Money Strategy http://www.threerivers.gov.uk/Default.aspx/Web/CouncilPoliciesPlans
Green Travel Plan http://www.threerivers.gov.uk/Default.aspx/Web/CouncilPoliciesPlans
7 Appendix 3: Community and Public Access Licences and Tenants within Chorleywood House Estate
LEASE RENT PREMISES TENANT USE START TERM P.A. DATE Montessori Field Studies Chorleywood Youth Club School and £4000 06/09/10 3 Centre Management Committee Youth Club Workshop Drill Hall Right Maintenance Limited and £2500.00 01/07/09 5 Storage Amersham and Model £150.00 Old Chapel Chorleywood Model Railway (2013 - 25/02/08 10 Railway Society Club 2018) Meeting Friends of Chorleywood Annual Summer House Room and £1.00 01/12/05 House Estate agreement Storage Pavilion and Chorleywood Common Football £2300.00 25/03/02 20 Football Pitches Youth Football Club Club £50.00 The Hut and Rickmansworth and Scout (reviewed Surrounding Chorleywood District 19/01/09 25 Camp after 5 woodland Scouts years) Chorleywood Lawn Tennis Tennis Lawn Tennis Club £1100.00 24/09/07 35 Club Club Phone Telephone Mast Mercury £3465.00 24/02/93 25 Mast Private Residence – D. Private Entrance Lodge £10.00 25/03/02 99 Briant Residence Private Residence – Mr Private North Lodge £10.00 25/03/85 125 Harvey Residence South Lodge Parish Council Office £1.00 13/01/11 7 Land adjacent to Mr Stables Grazing Currently under negotiation Dell Farm Cottage Dell Farm Cottage Annual Mead Spring Mrs D. Barlow Grazing £250.00 9/02/11 agreement
8 Byelaws for the Local Nature Reserve
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14 Sample Equality Impact Assessment Form A – Relevance Test
Function/Service Being Assessed:
1. Populations served/affected: 5 Universal (service covering all residents)?
Targeted (service aimed at a section of the community –please indicate which) ?
2. Is it relevant to the general duty? (see Q and A for definition of ‘general duty’) Which of these three aspects does the function relate to (if any)?:
1 – Eliminating Discrimination 5 2 – Promoting Equality of Opportunity 3 – Promoting good relations
Is there any evidence or reason to believe that some groups could be differently affected? Yes 5 No
Which equality categories are affected? Race Age Sexual Orientation Disability Gender Religion
3. What is the degree of relevance? In your view, is the information you have on each category adequate to make a decision about relevance? 5 Yes (specify which categories) All categories.
No (specify which categories)
Are there any triggers for this review (for example is there any public concern that functions/services are being operated in a discriminatory manner?) If yes please indicate which: Yes
5 No
4. Conclusion On the basis of the relevance test would you say that there is evidence that a medium or high detrimental impact is likely? (See below for definition) Yes 5 No
15 The Friends of Chorleywood House Estate Constitution
The constitution for the Friends of Chorleywood House Estate sets out the various objectives, powers, finances, insurance and administration for the group and is shown below.
The Name: The name of the group is the Friends of Chorleywood House Estate.
The Location: The location compromises 170 acres of Public Open Space known as Chorleywood House Estate, in the Parish of Chorleywood in Hertfordshire, owned and managed by Three Rivers District Council.
In addition to being an important amenity area the site contains various historical buildings. It is also listed as a key ecological site in the Biodiversity Action Plan.
The Objectives: To restore, enhance and improve the Public Open Space known as Chorleywood House Estate, and to conserve it for future generations. To create and maintain freely accessible amenity areas within the Estate. To promote and encourage public awareness of the Estate by means of publicity, consultation, volunteer groups and liaison with interested organisations. To act as an umbrella group, drawing on the expertise of members to facilitate the restoration process. To assist, advise and support TRDC in drawing up an Estate Management Plan. To apply for grants from relevant organisations to help fund the objectives above.
Powers: In furtherance of the objectives, but not otherwise, the Friends shall have the following powers: To undertake work in the Estate in accordance with the TRDC Management Plan. To make known the work and aims of the group. To procure donations, sponsorship and other monies in contributions; such funds to be used in furtherance of the objectives. To hold assets. To do all other lawful things as necessary to achieve the objectives of the group.
Administration: The Friends shall be administered by a Management Committee initially consisting of up to ten members. The Committee shall allow appropriate officers from TRDC, the CMS and other relevant bodies to participate in the work of the Friends. The Committee shall have the power to co-opt additional members on a permanent or temporary basis, in respect of specific projects, or of individual ability and contribution. The Committee shall elect annually each July the following officers from within its own membership: Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. Interim officers shall be appointed pending the formalisation of the Friends. The Friends shall support an equal opportunities policy.
Annual Report: An annual report of the work of the Friends shall be made available. Members will be invited to express their views and to make suggestions for future work.
Public Meetings: Public meeting, exhibitions and consultations shall be held as deemed appropriate by the Committee.
Committee Meetings: The Management Committee shall meet at six - eight week intervals, or at such other intervals as determined by the Committee. The quorum shall be one third of the Committee, but shall include either the Chair or Vice-Chair. All such meetings shall be open to the
16 public. Members of the public may make a written submission to a meeting supported by a short verbal introduction, for consideration at a future meeting.
Finances: Any monies received shall be held in an account in the name of the group. Any cheques drawn on that account shall require the signature of the Treasurer and one other officer. The Treasurer shall keep a record of any transactions and present an Annual Report.
Insurance: The Management Committee shall insure all members of the Committee against claims resulting from the work of the Committee and shall require all volunteers to be adequately insured for personal and third party liability.
Alterations to the Constitution: Alterations to the Constitution shall only be made at a special meeting of the Committee and must be supported by a two-thirds majority of those present.
Dissolution: The Friends shall be dissolved following a Committee Meeting at which it is agreed that the objectives of the Friends have been fulfilled to the satisfaction.
17 The Friends of Chorleywood House Estate Latest Minutes
The following are sample minutes of The Friends of Chorleywood House Estate.
Members: ( * indicates present)
Janet Anders * John Aves Anthony Boswell * Eleanor Clarke * Roger Dennis * Phil Ellis Kay Fitzgerald TRDC * Max Green * Jackie Hale Margaret Jarrett * Roger Killick * Monty Leib * Petrina Llewellyn CMS Robin Oborn Kathy Stables Tim Venner *
1. Apologies for absence had been received from PE, JH, RO and KS.
2. The minutes of 18 November 2011 were approved and signed.
3. Report from TRDC (Kay Fitzgerald) 3.1 Dog Control orders. TRDC is looking to impose a dog-control order on the Estate. Walkers would be limited to 4 dogs, and would be fined if they did not clear up after them, as would individual walkers. KF is putting together a report for Cllrs. for the Spring. Enforcement would be by PCSOs. It would be helpful if members could report the times that regular dog walkers appear. Dog litter (as well as ragwort) is preventing us from selling the hay. 3.2 Pink Chestnut avenue. Contractors are about to take out a further nine diseased chestnuts. TRDC tree surgeons will remove a further eight later in the year. JA asked if the track could be reinstated after the work, as it has been left rutted and muddy on a previous occasion. 3.3 The Montessori School wished to plant a commemorative tree. It was suggested that a rowan would be suitable, possibly in the area by the felled holm oak, where the children play. ACTION TV to contact school. 3.4 Removal of pines. Daniel Monk is removing two dangerous Corsican pines. KF was asked if they could be replaced by Dawn Redwoods. 3.5 Northwood College would be orienteering again on 15 March. 3.6 A butterfly survey had been provided by Bill Cattle (on file). 3.7 Woodwalk: CMS volunteers would be visiting the Estate on Wed. 22nd Feb. JA suggested that we take cuttings from the parkland rhododendrons to replace those removed in Wood Walk.
4 Working parties had continued to clear brambles and scrub in the area round the holm oak. It was suggested that further tasks might involve removing elder scrub from the rhododendrons along the A404.
5. Aob. 5.1 Maintenance of compound buildings. ACTION KF to chase up. 5.2 Parkland daffodils. RK said he would ask the footballers to keep off. 5.3 Offer of help. Fay Caplin had very generously offered the services of her gardener. It was agreed that mowing the grass in the Sunken Garden and on Dell Mound might be two jobs he could usefully take on. ACTION TV to contact FC.
6. Date of next meeting: TBC.
2011 AGM 3 February 2012
Committee Members: ( * indicates present)
Janet Anders * John Aves * Anthony Boswell *
18 Eleanor Clarke * Roger Dennis * Phil Ellis Kay Fitzgerald TRDC * Max Green * Jackie Hale Margaret Jarrett * Roger Killick * Monty Leib * Petrina Llewellyn CMS Robin Oborn Kathy Stables Tim Venner *
Also in attendance: Jean Nash, Bill Cattle, and Cllr. Martin Trevett.
1. Welcome. The Chairman welcomed those present, and said it had been a good year. We had been re-awarded our Green Flag; the pond had been restored; a number of visitors had expressed interest in the Estate at Village Day.
2. Apologies for absence had been received from Jackie Hale, Robin Oborn, Karina Wheeler, John Moore, Doreen Cattermole, Phil Ellis, Reg Collison, Paula Connor, Tim & Alex Fowkes, Pat Howell and Jim Milledge.
3. The minutes of the 2010 AGM were approved and signed.
4. Treasurer’s Report. MG presented the Annual Accounts which showed current assets of £951.16 (copy on file). Since the accounts had been published, a cheque for £350 had been received from the Parish Council, as part of the proceeds from the Parish Quiz. The accounts were duly adopted. The Treasurer thanked the honorary auditor David Culling.
5. Secretary’s Report (copy on file). This having been previously circulated, the Secretary took questions. 5.1 Children’s Play Facilities. In answer to a question, Cllr. Trevett praised the Parish Council’s working party for its thorough investigation of possible locations. The Common, and the Estate appeared to be the only realistic areas. MT would like the Parish to specify exactly what would NOT be acceptable on the Common before TRDC went out to public consultation. ML asked why we needed formal play facilities when the Estate and the Common both afforded opportunities for tree climbing and informal play. MT replied that the Council had identified a need in the Chorleywood area, and had allocated money to remedy this. J.Anders asked if there was a local farmer who had a field where there were fewer restrictions. J.Aves asked if the Ferry Car Park in Lower Road had been considered - it had many advantages. ACTION TV to follow up.
6. Report by Kay Fitzgerald (TRDC) 6.1 Buildings maintenance. Money was available in alternate years for basic maintenance of the buildings in the compound. 6.2 Grazing projects. It was hoped that funding would become available this year to provide stock-fencing. The fencing would be mainly within the existing tree line, and would have a top strand of barbed wire. A local farmer was willing to bring his cattle. The sheep would be unlikely to return, but KF was looking at the possibility of small cattle such as Dexters in the Nature Reserve, and Dell Field. 6.3 Ragwort continued to pose a problem. Pulling seemed to be the only acceptable solution since “weed-wiping” or any other application of chemicals would affect other plants. 6.4 Kay expressed her warm thanks to all the Friends, especially the volunteer working parties, for all their hard work in looking after the Estate. The Chairman replied that it was a pleasure to work with Kay, our link officer at TRDC, and thanked her for her encouragement and enthusiasm. AGREED by acclamation.
7. Election of Committee. The existing Committee having expressed their willingness to serve for another year, they were re-elected en bloc. (Prop. JN, seconded BC.)
8. Aob.
19 8.1 Community Orchard. MG expressed his appreciation that the Orchard was making such good use of part of the Estate.
9. Closure. There being no further business, the Chairman thanked members for attending, and closed the meeting at 11. 40.
20 Volunteer Time Sheet
A sample, six month, volunteer time sheet for the Friends of Chorleywood House Estate is shown below.
Volunteer Time Sheet: Chorleywood House Estate LNR Dates covered: 1 January 2012 – 19 June 2012
No. of Name of Volunteer No. of Date Tasks Carried Out Cost Per Day Total Cost Group/Individual Volunteers Volunteer Days Friends of Chorleywood House 10 January Clearing the Leat Estate 6 0.4 £50 £90.00 Work to the rhododendron Friends of Chorleywood House 17 January between the Sunken 7 0.4 £50 £105.00 Estate Garden and Wisteria Circle Weeding & replacing plastic Chorleywood Community Cancelled 11 February guards with metal guards on Orchard due to snow 24 trees CMS Wednesday Volunteers Wood Walk – remove 22 February Friends of Chorleywood House 14 0.6 £50 £420.00 scrubby holly and bramble Estate Replacing the plastic guards on the first 24 trees with Chorleywood Community 3 March 12 0.3 £50 £180.00 metal guards and weeding Orchard around the trees Sunken Garden – weed and mulch beds; weed gravel path; top up the 2 beds/grass area Friends of Chorleywood House 6 March 6 0.4 £50 £150.00 by steps with topsoil; sow Estate grass seed; prune/trim where necessary. Plant commemorative tree with the Montessori School Friends of Chorleywood House 20 March Sow grass around fallen Holm Oak 8 0.4 £50 £120.00 Clear bramble around Estate Rhododendron Chorleywood Community 31 March Watering Party 25 0.3 £50 £375.00 Orchard Chorleywood Community 14 April Weeding 10 0.3 £50 £150.00 Orchard Compound – clear nettles for Montessori School play area. Friends of Chorleywood House 16 A pril 8 0.4 £50 £120.00 Rhododendron in formal area – Estate clear brambles Planting 3 cherries from Chorleywoods twin town of Chorleywood Community 21 A pril Dardilly, near Lyon. 12 0.3 £50 £180.00 Exchanged 3 crab apples with Orchard CCO equivalent, the Beffe Community Garden Sunken Garden – Weeding Friends of Chorleywood House 1 May 7 0.4 £50 £140.00 and pruning Estate Chorleywood Community 12 May Weeding around trees 11 0.3 £50 £165.00 Orchard Montessori School – work to new Friends of Chorleywood House 15 May ‘p la y a rea’ 6 0.4 £50 £120.00 Sunken Garden - pruning Estate CCO AGM Chorleywood Community 15 May Talk by Joseph Fitzgerald, 0.3 £50 Assistant Chair of the Rivers Orchard Nursery Site and Orchard Group Chorleywood Community Cub Visit 18 May Orchard and Cubs 30 cubs W eeding & trimming in the Sunken Garden. Friends of Chorleywood House 29 May Exposing tarmac area in the 8 0.4 £160.00 Compound by the Montessori Estate school to provide a play area. W orking in Com m unity Chorleywood Community 9 June 15 0.3 £50 £225.00 Orchard and Jubilee Picnic Orchard Sunken Garden and Friends of Chorleywood House 12 June 4 0.4 £50 £60.00 Compound Estate Sunken Garden and Friends of Chorleywood House 19 June 4 0.4 £50 £60.00 Compound Estate
21 Chorleywood Community Orchard Constitution
The constitution for the Chorleywood Community Orchard sets out the various objectives, powers, finances, insurance and administration for the group and is shown below.
1. Name 1.1 The Name of the Group is Chorleywood Community Orchard (“CCO”).
2. Aims & Objectives 2.1 To create, develop and maintain a Community Orchard in the grounds of Chorleywood House, for the benefit of the visiting public in general and for local people in particular through education, conservation, recreation and pleasure and for the protection of local wildlife. 2.2 To encourage community involvement in the development and management of the Community Orchard. 2.3 To create and maintain a Community Orchard that reflects local distinctiveness, thereby enhancing the natural environment for the public benefit. 2.4 To grow and conserve a mix of local and interesting varieties of top fruit, in particular to conserve for the benefit of future generations of the public those varieties not widely planted or whose future may be at risk. 2.5 To optimise the potential for wildlife. 2.6 To create and execute a management plan for the Orchard and annual work programmes, in consultation with wildlife consultants/orchard experts, where appropriate. 2.7 To endeavour to maintain sure, safe and easy access to the Community Orchard at all reasonable time. 2.8 To offer a place for recreation, quiet contemplation, where horticulture and wildlife management can be passed on/learnt and practised. 2.9 To grow a harvest of fruit that can be shared - as decided by the Executive Committee - leaving some for wildlife. 2.10 To raise awareness of the activities and ethos of the Community Orchard. 2.11 To offer a host of activities from practical management and education to celebration and appreciation of the harvest. 2.12 To encourage the creation of more community orchards and green spaces in the locality and to liaise with other community orchard groups. 2.13 To engage in such measures as from time to time seem appropriate to achieve these objects. In furtherance of these aims, the Group intends that the Community Orchard should be accessible to whosoever expresses an interest in its aims and that no unreasonable restrictions be placed upon such access.
3. Powers 3.1 CCO may undertake activities required to achieve its aims, including holding meetings, fundraising, setting up and managing bank accounts, producing leaflets and newsletters, holding events, consulting and raising membership subscriptions. 3.2 The Executive Committee shall decide further powers as necessary. 3.3 A Company Limited by Guarantee or a Community Interest Company may be formed in order that the Group may own land and property through lease or freehold in furtherance of its objectives.
4. Membership 4.1 Membership of the Group is open to all local residents and others who are also supportive of the aims of the Group. 4.2 The Executive Committee shall have the right for good and sufficient reason to terminate the membership of any individual who, by actions, words or otherwise, undermines, or seeks to undermine, the objects of the Group. 4.3 Any person shall receive membership of the Group upon being accepted by, and giving their name and address to, any member of the committee. 4.5 Membership fees may from time to time be levied.
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5. The Executive Committee and Officers The Executive Committee shall consist of: 5.1.1 Officers – Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. 5.1.2 Up to six other members of CCO who shall fill other roles as required. 5.2 The Committee shall have the power to fill vacancies/co-opt additional members as required. 5.3 The Executive Committee is elected at the Annual General Meeting. 5.4 The Chair and the Officers of the Executive Committee are elected by the Executive Committee at its first meeting after the AGM. 5.5 Three Members of the Executive Committee must be present at any meeting for it to be quorate, of whom at least two must be Officers. 5.6 The Committee shall decide when and where it will meet, with a minimum of three meeting per year, with adequate notice given to all committee members, and a record of meetings and decisions shall be kept. 5.7 The normal term of office shall be two years. Those members who have completed a two-year term may offer themselves for re-election. 5.8 Voting. All questions arising at any meeting, with the exception of those affecting alterations to the Constitution shall be decided by a majority of members present and voting at such a meeting. 5.9 No member shall exercise more than one vote except that in the case of an equality of votes the Chair shall have a second or casting vote.
6. Annual General Meeting 6.1 An Annual General Meeting shall be held each year and no more than 15 months may elapse between AGMs. 6.2 21 days notice shall be given to all members; this notice may be given by email, by notice in appropriate local newspaper, and by poster in appropriate locations. Postal notification to each individual member is not required. 6.3 Other general meetings may be called as required either by decision of the Executive Committee or if requested by 15 individual members. 6.4 At the AGM the following business will be conducted: 6.4.1 Report from the Executive Committee on the work and achievements of the Group; 6.4.2 Election of the Executive Committee; 6.4.3 Report on the finances of the Group, and receipt and approval of the accounts for the year; 6.4.4 Appointment of Auditors or external validator.
7. Finance 7.1 The Treasurer will keep proper accounts of all monies, and will report to the Executive Committee at each meeting and to the AGM. 7.2.1 All bank accounts opened on behalf of the Group will be in the name of CCO and will require two signatures for any transaction. 7.2.2 At least three approved signatories will be arranged from members of the Executive Committee, of whom at least two shall be Officers. 7.3 The annual statement of accounts will be externally approved by an accountant prior to submission to the AGM. At such time as a Company Limited by Guarantee or a Community Interest Company be formed and the Group is responsible for land or property through lease or freehold, the accounts shall be formally audited. 7.4 The financial year runs from April 1st to March 31 st. 7.5 All monies received by on behalf of the Group shall be applied in furtherance of the Aims and Objectives of the Group and for no other purpose.
8. Alterations to the Constitution 8.1 This constitution may be rescinded or amended at any General Meeting by a two thirds majority of those present, provided such a motion has been approved by the appropriate authorities and that a copy of the proposed alteration has been made available to all members via post, internet or a central collection point, and that 21 days notice has been given.
23
9. Dissolution 9.1 The Group may at any time be dissolved by a resolution passed by a two thirds majority at any General Meeting, provided that such a motion has been approved by the appropriate authorities and that the motion has been made available to all members via internet or a central collection point, and that 21 days notice has been given. 9.2 All monies remaining shall be given or transferred to a group with similar aims and objectives, to be agreed at the meeting where a resolution for dissolution is approved. 9.3 In no circumstances shall the net assets of the Group be paid to or distributed among the members of the Group.
Constitution adopted at meeting of Executive Committee 16th February 2009
Chorleywood Community Orchard Chair: Alison Rubens Secretary: Callum Just Treasurer: John Beech
24 Chorleywood Community Orchard Latest Minutes
The following are sample minutes of the Chorleywood Community Orchard.
22 October 2012
Present: Alison Rubens (AR) Chris Kemp (CK), Sandra Kemp (SK), Michael Hyde (MH), Barbara Stunell (BS), Eleanor Clarke (EC) Sue Mander (SM).
1. Evaluation of Apple Day, 6 October 2012 Unanimous agreement that Apple Day was a success, in particular the addition of children’s activities provided by Chorleywood Mums. CK and SK were able to provide apple ID in the absence of Mike Clark. They will report back soon to the people who left apples for ID.
2. In brief plans for Apple Day 2013 Date of next year’s Apple Day is Saturday, October 5th 2013. Order 300 larger sausages next year. Charge £2.50 per hot dog. Provide an increased number of baked goods, bottled apple juice and preserves. Baking competition to be more widely promoted, including through Chorleywood Mums and asking St Clement Danes to get involved. Recipe book to be produced for sale. Ask Mike Clark to do apple ID again. Ask Mike Davey to return for bee keeping demo and honey sale. Cider. AR to contact Millwhites Cider, ([email protected] 07904 525865 or 07710 525220) and ask at Shenley for producers. Toffee apples. SM to source and cost these now for ordering next year. (John May provided them in 2011, Shenley may know other suppliers). Provide a bucket at apple peeling stall to take uneaten apples to be pressed. Sticking plasters required for apple peeling stall. Ask the local WI if they would like to get involved. Involvement of/leaflets from, Friends of Chorleywood House Estate. EC to follow up. Price lists to be laminated and stuck onto board. SM to action. A water supply is needed for apple bobbing. AR and MH have produced a list of all items required at Apple Day for reference (attached). Action: AR, SM, MH, EC
3. Recipe book Suggestion that members could compile a recipe book of apple recipes to be published and sold at Apple Day 2013. SM to show AR an example of a recipe book produced by local schools. Also include recipe for spiced crab apple jelly, etc. SK to ask Dardilly for a recipe to contribute to the book. SM to ask Simone Tyson of Chorleywood Mums for recipes suitable for children to be included. CK and SK to write Introduction - information on different varieties of apples and their suitability for different types of recipes. Action: SM, CK, SK
4. Women’s Institute Alison to speak to WI about them joining Apple Day next year. We do not want it to be a commercial venture but would be interested if they wanted to promote their group or demonstrate something. The WI may already have an apple recipe book. (Contact Penny Pugh 283248 or President Jean Miller 283399). Action: AR
5. Sausages SK to ask John May about making the sausages next year; would he be interested, what price would he charge, what amount of chopped apple would he require for 300 large sausages? Action: SK
25
6. Baking competition MH to contact St Clement Danes School suggesting students get involved in the competition. Action: MH
7. Tents MH to book the 2 large tents again for October 5th 2013 from Scouts and Stag Lane School. Action: MH
8. Non-Apple Day items Blossom picnic The twinning team from Dardilly are visiting Chorleywood April 20th – 24th 2013. SK to discuss at their November meeting whether a Blossom picnic would be a good idea and check the twinning committee’s proposed itinerary. Plan would be to provide afternoon tea for the Dardilly group (estimated number, 20) in the summer house on Sunday 21st and include tours of the orchard and Chorleywood House grounds. A working party could convene prior to the picnic and join in with the Blossom picnic (bringing their own food). SK to find out the dates of the football jamboree to ensure it does not clash with the proposed Blossom picnic. EC to reserve the summer house for the Blossom picnic on April 21st 2013 and Apple Day, October 5th 2013. Action: SK, EC
Optima SM to discuss with Optima what kind of article they would be interested in including. If the Blossom Picnic goes ahead we could ask Bungi to take photos of the blossom and submit an article on it, the progress of the orchard and promoting Apple Day 2013. Action: SM
Apple Press AR to ask David Walker to suggest anything to make the apple press more stable and if he would like to be co-opted on to the committee. David has sent suggestions for Apple Day 2013 to AR which should be included with notes. Action: AR
Website Apple Day 2012 photos are not on the website. Ollie Rubens to update as soon as possible. SM to send photos to Simone at Chorleywood Mums. Action: Ollie, SM
The re-use of jam jars These rules only apply to business operators and not charity events. Local authorities are responsible for regulating this and fund raisers are unlikely to be considered a food business. We can assure our supporters that all reasonable precautions have been taken in the preparation of products offered for sale.
9. Winter working Next working party is Saturday, November 3 2012 at 10.00am. Tasks suggested are: Clearing brambles at the Solesbridge Lane border to ensure there is more space for grass cutting. Cutting the grass at the Beaumont border before the snowdrops emerge. Remove cherry saplings from Beaumont border. Use the wheeled strimmer to clear growth of nettles etc near benches. Check guard ties and tree ties and replace where necessary. Weeding. Action: AR
10. Wassail
26 Discussion about whether to hold. MH done preliminary research. Some concern about causing offence to certain community members. Suggestion that all committee members read up about the custom and email views. Meanwhile Lambs Wool drink (hot spiced ale and apples) to be offered after Nov working party. Action: All
11. Other items Still hope to persuade 3RDC to allow us to keep bees on the orchard site. New CMS leader apparently keen.
Lakeland has provided another apple peeler in compensation for a broken one.
MH to reimburse AR for replacement hose nozzle and SM for charcoal. Action: MH
12. Date of next meeting Thursday, January 24th 2013, 10.00am at Alison’s.
2013 AGM confirmed as Tuesday, May 21st (N.B. this is changed from what we agreed at the meeting). AR to ask Mike Clark to speak at AGM. SK to book Royal British Legion Hall. Action: AR, SK
27 Appendix 4: Health and Safety
Building Maintenance Schedule
During 2009 an interim report was produced as part of the ongoing process to create maintenance and repair schedules for various buildings on the Estate. The report has subsequently been revised and updated to reflect the current financial position of the Council. The Council is currently in the process of preparing a costed planned maintenance programme, as part of a comprehensive review of the Council’s land and property assets, for implementation when funds become available. As of 2011 the planned maintenance programme was in a draft condition.
Work which has taken place to the buildings is detailed in the relevant sections below.
More general works include subjecting the trees on or about the site to a formalised management process. Any leaves obstructing airbricks, gutters and downpipes have also been removed.
Various works have been carried out to the internal and external fabric of the Summer House, Well House and Generator Room during 2005 - 2006. The external decorative order of these buildings is good and, in general, there are no obvious signs of any major works being required to their external fabric.
Summer House
The building is currently occupied by the Friends of Chorleywood House Estate and is comprised of:
• loadbearing structural timber frame walling, clad externally with vertical tongued and grooved timber boarding with plain edged boarding laid over to form patterns, and a small panel section of masonry; • suspended timber ground bearing floor; • plain clay tiled duopitch hipped roof with feature dormers and gablets and • fixed polycarbonate screens have been installed across all the windows.
The suspended timber ground floor is ventilated by ground level airbricks/grilles.
The rainwater downpipes currently discharge above drain hopper gratings.
Well House and Generator Room
These building are currently unoccupied.
The Generator Room is comprised of:
• 215mm brick walling; • unknown floor construction and • built-up bitumen felt covered flat roof.
The Well House is comprised of: • a large section four post and lintel bracketed pegged timber frame, supported on stone pedestals; • timber decked masonry and stone wellcap and
28 • plain clay tiled sprocket eaves timber pyramid roof.
The timber wellcap “sounds” to be of a fairly robust construction, without any discernable flexing or movement at the moment.
Pump House
The Pump House, including the lean-to structure, is a Grade II Listed Building. The wellhead gear is a major reason for the Listing. Any works will require the consent of the Conservation Officer. A wildlife survey of the building will also be required to inform the repair strategy and meet Planning requirements. Expert advice and contractors will needs to be sought in order to fully conserve and refurbish the Pump House.
The paddles have been removed from the water wheel and set aside on site. As such the building has been locked and properly secured.
The building is comprised of: • 215-330mm brickwork external walling; • rammed flint cobble floor, 215-330mm brick walled water wheel race, and concrete floor to well area; • slate clad duopitch hipped roof with ventilating cap to apex; • 215mm+ brick wall supported precast reinforced concrete beam cap to race adjacent to northern elevation; • cap to race adjacent to southern elevation and • timber and corrugated steel clad loadbearing timber framed western lean-to outbuilding with a slated (⅓) and corrugated steel (⅔) roof covering.
It is suspected that a major part of the building is constructed straight off the ground. Consequently, it is likely that some of the base members will be rotting and that the stability of the structure under wind conditions may be deficient - albeit that the building appears to be in a relatively sheltered environment.
Whilst the visible roof timbers of the main lean-to structure generally appeared to be in a reasonable condition, it was evident that some of the timber wall frame members open to inspection are rotting. Substantial work would be required to rectify the decrepit wall and roof claddings, probably requiring much to be replaced with new materials. A provisional rebuilding cost employing a similar basic construction, but addressing durability, structural and other issues, could be in the region of up to £33,000.
The general condition of the masonry walling to the building appears to be fair. The slate roof covering is generally in a fair condition, although a couple of slates have cracked and slipped. The UPVC gutter is damaged in the latter position, and the overall appearance of this area suggests that some physical damage may have occurred.
Regular height horizontal cracking is evident in various bed joints of the northern, eastern and southern elevations. This is an unusual effect in a solid masonry wall – it would be suggestive of iron/steel wall tie corrosion effects causing disruption in a cavity wall construction and requires further investigation.
29 Two number 16 pane iron framed windows are present in the northern elevation, and one number in the eastern elevation. All of the glazing is broken out, a situation which has existed for a long time, as evidenced in the Listing (03.10.1985).
The “stable” door in the western elevation is in a fair condition.
It is recommended that the vegetation and soil obscuring the construction be removed and that the whole of the structure be subjected to a closer inspection. The southern race cap is obscured by vegetation and it should, also, be subjected to closer inspection.
The flint cobble floor would appear to have been disturbed by animal activity. It should be re-levelled and compacted.
The internal timber wall plate embedded in the western wall appears to be in a reasonably fair condition, but it is recommended that a suitable anti insect and fungal preservative treatment is applied to maintain its long term serviceability. Furthermore, it would also be prudent to apply a suitable anti insect and fungal preservative treatment to all of the timber elements to maintain their long term serviceability.
30 Sample Risk Assessments
Sample Risk Assessments are shown below
RISK ASSESSMENT
12/06/2010 12/06/2011 Site Location: District Date of last assessment: Date of issue: 12/06/2011 12/06/2012 Assessment review date:
Steve Devine H Ringland Activity/Situation : Assessment carried out by:
Hand mowing steep banks Signed:
PERSON CURRENT FURTHER ACTION Ref.: HAZARD RISK(S) EXPOSED CURRENT CONTROLS RISK REQUIRED No TO RISK H M L Yes No 1 Steep banks making mowing Falling. slipping, losing E/Con/Pub Operatives are advised that allPPE must be worn at all / /
difficult Control of mower, coming times ( as PPE is supplied by TRGM), also to ensure that
Into contact with blades boots have Good grip, and to ensure they do not use
mowers on banks over 35° as per manufacturers
instructions.
Persons Exposed to Risk E = Employee Pub = Public YP = Young Person Vis = Visitor Con = Contractor
31
Site Location: Local Nature Reserves in the Three Rivers District Date of last assessment: August 2011
Assessment review date: September 2012
Date of assessment: 21/09/12 Assessment carried out by: Kay FitzGerald
Activity/Situation/Substance: Bug Hunting Signed:
PERSON CURRENT FURTHER ACTION Ref.: HAZARD RISK(S) EXPOSED CURRENT CONTROLS RISK REQUIRED No TO RISK H M L Yes No 1 Vehicle Access Vehicle collision and injury All Conduct activity away from m ain access road. × × Use hazard warning signs and high visibility jackets as
necessary.
2 Tetanus, Leptospirosis Severe illness, even death All Make participants aware of risks at start of activity. × × (Weils Disease) Advise to seek medical help if any symptoms arise (the
doctor should be informed of recent activity).
Wash hands before eating, drinking or smoking.
Cover an y broken skin before starting activity.
Promptly wash and cover any cuts.
Advise participants to have tetanus inoculation.
3 Inclement Weather – hot, Hypothermia, All Wear suitable clothing that protects from sunlight. × × cold, wet, dry, etc hyperthermia, sunburn, Apply sunblock to any areas of exposed skin.
dehydration Drink water as necessary.
Stop activity if people are obviously unp repared for the
conditions.
4 Litter Minor cuts, potential All Remove litter before activity com mences. × × infections Avoid contact with bare hands – use gloves and/or litter
pickers.
5 Ground conditions – uneven Trips and falls All Wear suitable footwear. × × paths, steep banks etc. Keep equipment and area tidy.
Inspect site and clear/mark inherent trip hazards.
Use safe access points to the water. Avoid steep banks.
6 Equipment (nets) Facial injury All Make sure everyone knows how to handle the nets × × safely and correctly and that this is checked throughout
the activity.
7 Bees, Wasps, Hornets, Bites and stings All Avoid such creatures where possible. × × Mosquitoes, etc Be aware if any individuals present suffer from major
allergic reactions and the potential for anaph ylactic
shock.
8 Dog mess Disease All To complete an extensive site check prior to the activity × × commencing and if need be clear up any dog mess. Must
use appropriate equipment including gloves, spade and
bag and place mess into a dog mess bin.
9 Children Loss of child/injury to child Children To make sure the correct ratio of adults to children is × × evident (1 adu lt to 8 children). Children are shown the
correct way to use equipment and carry out the activity.
All children are checked and counted on a regular basis
throughout the activity. Children will be escorted by
parent/guardian at all tim es.
10 Injury from all of the above Cuts, strains and other All First aid trained individual on site at all times as well as × × in ju ries a first aid kit.
32 Example of Ground Maintenance Inspection Sheet
Environmental Grounds Inspection Protection Sheet
Site: Chorleywood House Grounds Time: 14:11 Date: 05/10/2012 Location: Chorleywood Inspector: Doug Mackie Mowing/gangs/Triple: Inspected Cleanliness and Litter: Inspected Lawn Area: Inspected Litter bins: Inspected Strimming: Inspected Dog Waste bins: Inspected Grass Edges: Inspected Play Areas Cylider N/A litter: N/A Shrub/Rose beds: Inspected Equipment: N/A Bedding areas Hedges: Inspected Multi Play: N/A Cut back Inspected Skate Board Park: Weed Control: N/A Cemeteries Pond Clearance: Inspected waiting room: N/A Coppice: Inspected Toilets: N/A Spinney: Inspected Grave Maintenance: Inspected Pavilion cleaning: N/A Gates: Inspected Sports Markings: Inspected Date of Cleaning Memorial: Football: N/A Car Parks: Inspected Hockey: N/A Road Area: Inspected Cricket Table: N/A Footpath: Inspected Cricket N/A Supply & Spread rock salt: N/A Bowling Green: N/A Rides: Inspected Tennis Courts: Inspected Vandalism: Inspected Comments: Graffiti: Inspected Pro Active No: 0 Skate board park Adult Gym: N/A Berry Lake Water Level: 0
Fences: Inspected Play equipment: N/A Furniture: Inspected Pavilion: N/A Comments TRDC: Paths and Roads: N/A Notes:
Signed ...... Inspector
33 Chorleywood House Estate Tree Survey 2011/12
A full tree survey was carried out in 2011/12. Below are examples from the software used to manage the tree survey information.
34 Relevant extract from the TRDC Grounds Maintenance Contract in relation to litter, cleanliness and vandalism at the LNR
F38.2 Cleanliness Standards are:
Grade A No litter, debris or unwanted vegetation. Grade B Predominantly free of litter, debris or unwanted vegetation, apart from small items and accumulations. Grade C Widespread distribution of litter, unwanted debris and vegetation with minor accumulations. Grade D Heavily littered with significant accumulations of litter, unwanted debris and/or vegetation. Grade E Fly Tipping. Dumped material - household, commercial or industrial.
38.3 The standard of cleanliness required is:
All children’s play areas classified as zone 1; all other locations classified as Zone 2. Should any Location fall to Grade B or below then it must be returned to Grade A standard within the timescales in F38.4.
F38.4 Timescales for restoring levels of cleanliness
Depending on the grade of “uncleanness” there is a time limit for returning the area to Grade A, as shown in the following chart.
Grade Zone A B C D E (Fly- Tipping) Zone 1 - Inside play areas. 6 hours 3 hours 1 hour 2 hours
If standard falls between 8pm and by 8 am by 8 am by 8 am by 8 am 6am Zone 2 - all other parks. 12 hours 6 hours 3 hours 3 hours
If standard falls between 8pm and by 8 am 6am
The response times for Zones 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7 will be 24 hours, except on Sundays.
38.5 Contractor must remove and dispose of all arisings in accordance with F57.
38.6 The contractor will be expected to carry out litter picks over the weekend in order to comply with this Code of Practice. Not all areas will require weekend litter picks, but areas which currently do so, are The Aquadrome, Oxhey Playing Fields (skate park & Multi-sports area); King George V playing fields (multi-sports area, youth shelter and skate boarding area); Leavesden Country Park, Barton Way Play area; Scotsbridge skate park area and Croxley Green Skate Park, however this list is not inclusive. The cost of carrying this out must be included within the tender submission.
38.7 In addition to the above, the contractor is expected to provide ‘out of hours’ emergency cover to ensure that any area which falls below a Grade B on a weekend, or bank holiday is returned to Grade A within the time period specified in F43.4.
35 38.8 Where the Contractor, in the course of providing the Service, encounters hazardous materials, the Authorised Officer must be informed immediately. The Contractor shall also inform the Authorised Officer, where possible, of the nature of the hazardous material and also of any assistance it is able to make to deal with it.
38.9 There may be occasions when the Contractor will be required to remove hypodermic needles and other items deemed to be Clinical Waste categorised Group A, B or E waste by the Health and Safety Executive. Collection and disposal methods must comply with all legislation and codes of practice and be agreed by the Authorised Officer before any the Contract commences. No additional payments will be made for this service.
38.10 Graffiti shall be removed in accordance with F47.
F39 ILLEGAL DUMPING - (FLYTIPPING)
39.1 Any flytipping or accumulation of waste material on any areas covered by this Contract, including Local Nature Reserves and Woodland sites, which, in the opinion of the Authorised Officer, is less than 5 cu m in volume shall be removed and disposed of by the Contractor as part of the normal Service and no additional payment shall be made.
39.2 The Contractor must notify the Authorised Officer of the Location and details of any fly tipped materials or accumulation of waste material which is greater than 5 cu m in volume. The Contractor will be required to remove and dispose of these materials. The cost of removals of such accumulations will be on a Dayworks basis.
39.3 The Authorised Officer must be notified, by the next working day, of any flytipping or accumulation of waste material which cannot be removed by hand shall be removed and disposed of by the Contractor without additional mechanical means.
F40 REMOVAL OF LITTER FROM SHRUB AND FLOWER BEDS
40.1 The Contractor must remove all litter from rose, shrub and flower beds.
40.2 The Contractor must take due care when removing litter from shrub and flower beds. Should the Contractor cause damage to any plant in the shrub or flower beds, in the opinion of the Authorised Officer, the Contractor will be required to bear the cost of any rectification and or replacement.
F41 CLEANING OF OFFICIAL NOTICES
41.1 Official Notice Boards are situated at or near the entrance to playing fields. The display face, backs and supporting columns or poles of Official Notice boards must be totally cleaned so as to leave no residual foreign material twice each year.
41.2 Care must be taken not to damage the surface of notices during cleaning. Only clean water and detergent or a cleaning agent previously approved by the Authorised Officer must be used. All arisings must be disposed of in accordance with F57.
41.3 The Authorised Officer must be notified if any board becomes illegible.
41.4 Graffiti must be removed from noticeboards as it occurs.
F42 DEFECTIVE LITTER BINS, ANIMAL EXCREMENT BINS, AND NOTICES
36 42.1 The Contractor must notify the Authorised Officer of any broken or missing litter bins, animal excrement bins or damaged official notices or any defects to these no later than the next working day. Where the damage is such that it represents a real or potential hazard to the Location users the Contractor must make the Location safe.
F43 LEAF/BLOSSOM/FRUIT FALL
43.1 All accumulations of leaf/blossom/fruit fall must be cleared and removed as necessary to maintain the specified standard of cleanliness required under this Contract, regardless of the source of the materials. The Contractor should allow for seasonal leaf or blossom fall in the Operational Details. No additional payments will be made for this work.
43.2 The Annual Sums must include for all costs associated with ensuring that playing fields and internal roads and footpaths are kept free of fallen leaves/ blossom/fruit. This work must be completed within the respective leaf/blossom/fruit fall season.
43.3 In order to prevent a hazard to pedestrians and vehicles due to leaf and blossom fall, the Authorised Officer may instruct the Contractor to remove leaf/blossom/fruit fall from hard surfaces within a specified time period.
F44 LITTER BIN EMPTYING
F44.1 Litter bins must be emptied to ensure no litter bin overflows, or more frequently where the Authorised Officer considers there to be a recurring Public Health Nuisance. All litter, boxes, bags, spillage around bin to be collected and removed at the time of emptying.
F44.2 All arisings must be disposed of in accordance with F57, with plastic bottles, and cans being recycled separately where this is considered reasonable by the Authorised Officer.
F44.3 Contractor must keep all litter bins in a clean condition by washing and disinfecting all litter bins at least once every three months.
F44.4 The Authority may decide to install additional litter bins in any location and if this is done the Contractor will be required to empty and cleanse these bins at a frequency approved by the Authorised Officer and payment will be at the appropriate rate in the Schedules of Rates.
F44.5 Subject to the agreement of the Authorised Officer the Contractor may supply and fix plastic bags to bins as removable liners, but at no extra cost to the Authority.
F45 EMPTYING DOG FAECES BINS
F45.1 The Contractor must empty and dispose of the contents of dog faeces bins and any material left around them and dispose of the waste to a site directed by the Waste Disposal Authority (Hertfordshire County Council). The contractor must also disinfect them to ensure that they are permanently serviceable for their intended use. The Contractor is also required to provide and fit replacement black plastic bag liners after each cleansing operation.
F45.2 The Contractor must empty the bins at least once per week and more frequently if necessary to ensure that no dog faeces bin overflows. Relevant extract from the TRDC Grounds Maintenance Contract in relation to the location of bins, waste storage and recycling (including composting) within the Local Nature Reserve
F44.2 All arisings must be disposed of in accordance with F57, with plastic bottles, and cans being recycled separately where this is considered reasonable by the Authorised Officer.
37 F44.4 The Authority may decide to install additional litter bins in any location and if this is done the Contractor will be required to empty and cleanse these bins at a frequency approved by the Authorised Officer and payment will be at the appropriate rate in the Schedules of Rates.
F57 WASTE MANAGEMENT
57.1 It is the Council’s policy and intention to recycle that largest proportion of natural materials as possible.
57.2 The Contractor is therefore required to submit proposals for the methodology and procedures to be adopted for the reuse, removal and disposal of all arisings relating to the Service, to the Contract Administrator for review, prior to Contract implementation, which, if accepted, will thereafter form part of this Specification.
57.3 It is the Council’s intention that on site composting sites will be identified for the composting of green waste arising from operations at these sites only, and that these will be put in place prior to the commencement of the contract at the following sites: i) Rickmansworth Aquadrome ii) Leavesden Country Park iii) Chorleywood House Estate iv) South Oxhey Playing Fields
It should be noted however that these will not be large enough to take arisings from cut and lift operations.
57.4 The contractor is to take all reasonable precautions to prevent excavated soil, rubbish, surplus materials and similar arisings for the Service being dumped on any areas, other than recognised and Contract Administrator approved tipping areas.
The burning of waste on any sites is not permitted under any circumstances.
57.5 Weeds and roots, leaves, cleared trees and bushes, wood chippings, grass cuttings (except where cut and lift operations result in saleable hay crop), prunings and thinnings etc are to be kept free from contaminants and taken to recognised, appropriately licensed and Contract Administrator approved disposal sites for composting. The Contractor is to be responsible for all costs in connection therewith.
57.6 In line with the Council’s intention to recycle the greatest quantity of waste products, the Council may wish certain Green Waste products to be disposed of separately, i.e. yew clippings.
57.7 All prices will be deemed to include transport and disposal costs and no additional payments will be made to the Contractor regardless of distance travelled or disposal costs.
57.8 The Contractor will be responsible for obtaining permission, should this be necessary, to tip arisings collected under this Contract. 57.9 The Contractor must be licensed to transport waste at all times during the contract period.
Litter bins and dog waste bins are located at key locations within the Local Nature Reserve, such as near picnic areas and on popular walks. If waste becomes problematic in any particular location then new bins are installed, where practicable.
38 Appendix 5: Environmental Information
Location Plan of Chorleywood House Estate Local Nature Reserve
39 Site Plan of Chorleywood House Estate Local Nature Reserve
Watercolour Map Extract from Interpretation Panel and Leaflet of the Local Nature Reserve
41 Location Plan of the Chorleywood House Estate Wildlife Site.
42 Historical Pictures and Site Plan of the Chorleywood House Estate
Picture One: The Original Georgian Chorleywood House
Picture Two: Chorleywood House, as it looked in the 1930s
Picture Three: Garden Cottage (within the grounds of the Lawn Tennis Club today)
43 Picture Four: Household Staff in 1934
Picture Five: Cottages adjacent to the current Dell Nature Reserve
44 Picture Six: Chorleywood House Estate in 1867
45 Additional Appendices
Grounds Maintenance Contract Selection of press coverage/publicity relating to the Local Nature Reserve
Should you wish to view the additional appendices please contact Three Rivers District Council
46