To agree the minutes of the meeting held on 24 August 2022.

The minutes of the last meeting held on 24 August 2022 were agreed as an accurate record of the meeting. 

Covered in the agenda.

KM displayed the budget spreadsheet on the screen and ran through the highlights of the budget at the present time. 

KM advised that the Government have indicated that there will be some assistance towards the energy costs which will help towards the budget allocated to energy consumption.

KM provided an update on the security requirements for the Mansion.  KM asked all to continue to report any incidents that are happening at the Mansion and the Grounds to the TDA.  DC asked LS to circulate the contact details to remind all of the correct contact details.  ACTION – LS

DC asked what the position is with regards to the Oldway Reserve.  KM advised that he will confirm this with JW.  ACTION – KM/LS

KF provided an update on the recent works.  The majority of the recent work carried out has been in tendering for the Project Consultants Team.  KF advised that she is hoping to announce the successful companies who have been awarded the contracts within the next few weeks and DC asked that KF liaises with EF to ensure appropriate communications are issued out.  ACTION – KF/EF

KM updated that he has been discussing with KF about the idea of erecting an information board instead of a notice board on the Heras fencing to update the public on the progress of Oldway, with high level information and a QR code for a link to the website and social media pages.

No update to report. 

DC advised that the Trust has met recently and KF is organising a benchmarking visit in November to Durlston Court.

KH updated that the tearooms are quiet at present which she believes is due to the Heras fencing going up, which is causing people to think that the tearooms is closed. 

The financial situation has not changed and the account balance is still at around £23k. 

Still awaiting the CIC to be completed for the tearooms. 

KH updated that she may have to have 6 weeks off as she is expecting to be having an operation and is not sure if there will be anyone to cover.

KH asked if it is possible to have the gravel replaced outside one of the doors of the tearooms.  ACTION – KM/TE

TE updated that all is going well within the Gardens Group.  Some of the sustainable plants are now coming back into flower. 

The volunteer hours are totalling 17,000 hours.  There are new volunteers joining the team regularly. 

A recent donation has been offered of fish to be put into the pond within the gardens. 

TE updated that today a meeting was held to discuss the Garden Maintenance Plan, which has now been agreed and has been put into place for the next 2 years.  KM updated that SWISCo will now be working alongside the Gardens Group and Torbay Council to help implement the Garden Maintenance Plan.  There will be some tree works carried out around the grounds and roads nearby. 

TE advised that the account balance for the Gardens Group is just in excess of £20k. 

JJ and TE advised that they have received contact by some of the asylum seekers who are now living within the Bay to ask if they can volunteer within the Gardens.  DC commented that he believes that the offer of assistance should be welcomed. 

KM advised that he has asked the TDA to remove some of the old wire fencing by the old grass tennis courts to enable more open spaces within the grounds.  KM is aware that the area is used by dog walkers as the area is fenced off but due to some of the fencing being damaged, he has made the decision to remove it. 

KM advised that he will be looking at any maintenance requests that come through individually and will continue to apply for any funding that becomes available.  KM also confirmed that many of the work packages will be well advanced by early Spring next year.  This means that we will be closer to having a clearer plan for the future of Oldway.