Ryecroft Hall Management Plan
Denton and Audenshaw District Assembly
Ryecroft Hall, Audenshaw
Management Plan 2006/2009
Download a Copy of Ryecroft Hall Management Plan 3.27 MB 
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Site Details
- 3. Vision for Ryecroft
- 4. Strategic Context
- 5. A Welcoming Place
- 6. Healthy, Safe and Secure
- 7. Clean and Well Maintained
- 8. Sustainability
- 9. Conservation and Heritage
- 10. Community Involvement
- 11. Marketing
- 12. Management
1. Introduction
Tameside MBC is committed to providing the residents and visitors of Tameside with quality parks and facilities therefore, we have earmarked Ryecroft Hall as a potential 'Green Flag' park and have agreed both a short and long term Action Plan to address various areas for improvement.
The purpose of this management plan is to provide for the long term management of Ryecroft Hall ensuring that it meets the needs of the whole community, in line with a number of Council policies, which includes the Community Strategy and the Corporate Plan. (Section 4).
Following on from the previous Green Flag Judges recommendation the Management Plan has been revised to incorporate the comments and to ensure this plan is clear, concise and relevant.
2. Site Details
| Name: | Ryecroft Hall |
|---|---|
| Contact: | Town Manager Denton and Audenshaw District Assembly Market Street Denton M34 2AP |
| Location: |
Grid Reference: 391453: 397817 Ryecroft Hall is situated in Audenshaw between Droylsden and Ashton-under-Lyne |
| Area: |
2.549 Hectares |
| Tenure: | The land is owned by Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council. |
| Access: | Leave M60 at Junction 23 then onto Manchester Road (A635) - Ryecroft Hall is approximately ½ mile on the left hand side. |
| History of the Park: |
Ryecroft Hall is a beautiful Grade 2 listed building dating back to 1849 when it was built to house Mr. Buckley and his family who were wealthy Mill owners. The house then became the property of Mr. Buckley's cousin, before being sold in 1913 to Austin Hopkinson, an MP for Mossley. During the First World War it was a voluntary hospital with over 100 beds. Austin Hopkinson gave the house and grounds to the people of Audenshaw in 1922 for Council Offices and to this day it is used for community purposes. |
| The Hall: |
The Hall accommodates Audenshaw Library point and Tameside's Social Care and Health Team and is also used as a Community Centre. The Hall is constantly used for various activities, which includes: Mums and Tots, Dancing, Craft Workshops, Weddings and Birthdays and the Annual Heritage weekend to name a few. In 1933 a Community Association was formed and this continues to thrive with over 700 members enjoying its facilities. The local MP and Ward Councillors hold their surgeries in the Hall and the Tameside Patrollers also have a drop in session every Friday between 6.30pm till 7.30pm for help and advice. The Hall also has a Management Committee made up of the different user groups who meet monthly. Last year Victorian style lights were installed outside the Hall, which ensured the heritage of the Hall is not lost. |
| The Grounds: |
There is a large playground for ages 3 to 14 years and consists of swings, slide, sand play, multi units, pirate ships, play train and springy's. The playground is inspected daily and any faults reported immediately. The Park has a well used bowling green , which is open for public use throughout the summer season. Last year the Bowling Club celebrated its 60 th Anniversary and is still an active and important Group within the park. Both the ladies and men's Bowling Teams are also active within the park and last year their pavilion was refurbished, which was supported by the Council and local MP. The park contains a mixture of planting including some of the original trees dating from when it was privately owned and maintained. As well as the tree planting the site contains a mixture of shrubberies and bedding displays. The bedding displays are in permanent beds located around the main Hall and the bowling green as well as tubs and hanging baskets at strategic locations. The spring and summer displays are a much appreciated feature of the park. A longer term programme allows other areas to be rejuvenated and planted with a wide variety of shrubs and trees as existing plants become over mature. To the rear of the park are various paths that take you through a large woodland area, which is enjoyed by park users and wildlife. The woodland areas have benefited from naturalised bulb plantings of Narcissus and Crocus any of which have been planted in conjunction with School children from the local Primary Schools. The park is open from dawn to dusk with the Hall opening times 9.00am to 10.00pm Monday to Friday. The Hall is open at weekend for private functions. The park gates are locked every evening. |
| Site Location: |
Ryecroft Hall is 2.549 Hectares in size, located in Audenshaw, Tameside. See location Plan below:
A plan of Ryecroft Hall may be viewed below:
|
3. Vision for Ryecroft
"We want Tameside to be an attractive and environmentally friendly place to live, work and visit. We are committed to working with local communities to protect and improve our surroundings to make Tameside a cleaner and more accessible place for current and future generations".
This statement is the District Assembly's vision for the future of Ryecroft Hall. The statement is taken from Tameside's Community Strategy 2003/ 2013 where one of the key themes is 'An Attractive Borough' and was identified via extensive consultation with both local residents and businesses.
The main aims of managing and improving Ryecroft Hall are the eight standards set out in the Green Flag criteria, which are:
- A Welcoming Place
- Healthy, Safe and Secure
- Clean and Well Maintained
- Sustainability
- Conservation and Heritage
- Community Involvement
- Marketing
- Management
4. Strategic Context
Strategies and Policies
Tameside's parks and open spaces are an integral part of the public areas of the borough and are managed in line with the Council's wider strategies and policies. Below are listed a number of such strategies and policies which have particular relevance to all Tameside's parks including Ryecroft Hall.
Community Strategy
Residents throughout Tameside were asked what their priorities were for the Borough; from their views six key themes were identified, which formed the basis for Tameside's Community Strategy 2003/ 2013.
The themes were:
- Supportive Communities
- A Safe Environment
- A Prosperous Society
- A Learning Community
- A Healthy Population
- An Attractive Borough
Ryecroft Hall plays a vital role in fulfilling these priorities for the people of Audenshaw and Tameside as a whole. In planning the management of the park over the next three years, each of the priorities has been taken into account as shown below.
- Supportive Communities
We will help to encourage a strong community spirit by providing a park, which has a wide range of facilities and can be enjoyed by people of all backgrounds and interests. The Hall has a Management Committee comprising of Council representatives and local residents and is in the process of establishing a Friends of Ryecroft Park Group.
- A Safe Environment
We want Ryecroft Hall to be a place where all members of the community feel safe and secure and we will support this through: good design, high standards of maintenance, staff working onsite and encouragement of high levels of public use.
Tameside has established a Tameside Patroller base in the Hall and the District Assembly staff meet monthly with the local Police and Community Together (PACT).
- A Prosperous Society
A well maintained and attractive park adds to the overall appearance of Audenshaw, which helps in attracting more visitors to the area and bringing in more investments and jobs.
- A Learning Community
We want to encourage schools and local groups to see Ryecroft Hall as a place where children, students and others can come to keep learning throughout their lives. We will do this by listening to resident's views and providing appropriate facilities and opportunities for learning where possible. We use the development of the grounds as a learning opportunity for the local community in particular for environmental and heritage projects.
- A Healthy Population
The park provides a welcoming place for people to relax and exercise and we shall continue to manage and improve these facilities to make Audenshaw a healthier place to live and work.
- An Attractive Borough
Ryecroft Hall is an attractive, clean centre for leisure and relaxation in the heart of Audenshaw and we shall make sure through our maintenance, that these standards are maintained and improved, but more than this we want to ensure that the park is also an environmentally friendly 'green space' with standards that can be sustained both for today's visitors and those in future years. For this reason we have drawn up a sustainability charter for Ryecroft Hall which will guide our management of the park (See Appendix 1). The Community Strategy can be viewed at:- www.tameside-strategic-partnership.org.uk/tsp-links.htm
Green Space Strategy
Tameside MBC is currently developing a Green Space Strategy for the whole of the borough. The aim of the strategy is "To secure a level of high quality design, long term maintenance and accessibility throughout the network of green spaces in Tameside".
The strategy will seek to determine standards of management, which the Council shall aim to provide for the range of green space across the borough.
Ryecroft Hall is clearly an important part of our network of green space and the Green Flag criteria shall be included within the management standards. It is anticipated that the strategy shall be produced in a draft form for further public consultation in 2007.
Tameside's Park Strategy
A parks strategy was produced in 1997 to govern the management of all Tameside's parks. This is currently under review as part of the development of Green Space Strategy for the Borough. When completed, conclusions from the new strategy will be fed into the Ryecroft Hall Plan.
Health and Safety Policy
This policy has been developed to ensure the health and safety of all residents of the borough, employees and members of the Council in connection with the management of public facilities throughout Tameside. The policy covers all aspects of the management of Ryecroft Hall and requires that risk assessments are carried out and safety procedures developed for all work and events within the park. The policy together with up to date risk assessments may be viewed by request to the Denton and Audenshaw Town Manager.
Children's Play Policy
This policy guides play provision for children across Tameside. The policy aims to ensure that a suitable amount and standard of play facilities are provided by the Council and are really accessible to children and their parents and carers.
Dog Fouling Policy
Tameside Council has now designated land under The Dogs (fouling of land) Act 1996. The designated land includes road, footpaths, school playing fields, sports fields and parks. It is an offence for a dog owner not to clean up after their dog in these areas. Failure to comply can result in a prosecution and fine of up to £1,000, Tameside Patrollers patrol all parks and will issue fixed penalty notices should the need arise.
Tree and Woodland Policy
This policy has been developed to guide the management of trees and woodlands throughout Tameside. A tree survey has been carried out in the park from which a work programme is developed to ensure that the Council fulfils its statutory obligations to maintain a safe and healthy stock of trees in public areas. In line with the policy's aim to maintain and where possible, increase the tree cover of the borough, trees which may need to be removed from the park from time to time shall be replaced . Future planting will be used as an opportunity to increase the diversity and range of the tree stock.
Other Policies
In addition to the priorities identified in the Community Strategy we shall also draw on the Council's other policies and strategies where these aid us in managing the park e.g. The Children's Play Policy guiding play provision for children and the dog Fouling Policy which provides a means of dealing with the problems of dog fouling.
Continuous Improvement
A culture of continuous improvements (CI) is embedded in the work of the Council, with all Service Units and individual members of staff being encouraged to review and continuously improve their service to the community.
The Horticultural CI group meet regularly which includes all the Operations Managers and Grounds Maintenance Staff. The aim of the group is to improve the standards of the Council's Horticultural operations throughout the Borough and in this instance to the benefit of Ryecroft Park and its uses.
Raising the Standards
Sustainable Communities (which includes the District Assemblies) has recently been accredited with the 'Charter Mark' award, which is the Government standard for excellence in Customer Service. This demonstrates the commitment of our workforce who will ensure we go that extra mile to help improve the quality of life for our residents and visitors.
In addition to the above Tameside have been granted the Investors in People standard, which is awarded to organisations who have improved performance and realise objectives through the management and development of their people.
Through the Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) which is assessed by the Audit Commission Tameside MBC, since 2003 has been measured as '4 Star' in the way that it serves its local people.
This along with CI, Charter Mark and IIP underpins the management of Ryecroft Hall.
5. A Welcoming Place
The overall impressions for any member of the community approaching and entering the Hall and grounds should be positive and inviting, regardless of the purpose for which they are visiting.
Objectives:
- Good, safe access for all.
- Good park signage, internally and externally.
How the objectives are met:
- Good, safe access for all.
There are three main entrances into the grounds which are all easily accessible for both pedestrians and disabled visitors. The grounds are full Disability Discrimination Act compliant.
Health and Safety surveys are carried out annually and any defects addressed. The resident Gardener reports any potential hazards to the Operations Manager who will, depending on the hazard, will instruct the District Assembly staff, Playground Manager, Arboriculture Unit, Facilities Management or an external contractor to address the issue.
The three main entrances are:
- Manchester Road
- Park Road
- Lumb Lane
The entrance path leading to the play area, from Lumb Lane , which was previously in a poor condition, has now been resurfaced to enhance public safety and improve the appearance.
- Good signage
There is a welcoming sign situated at the Manchester Road entrance and other notice boards are to be erected at the other entrance. This is included within the Action Plan (Appendix 2).
Road signs leading visitors to Ryecroft Hall are also situated at various locations.
6. Healthy, Safe and Secure
Effective management of the safety aspects of an area helps give visitors the confidence to use and enjoy Ryecroft. A well managed site, where vandalism is quickly repaired, also helps to make people think twice before committing wilful damage and helps in the presentation of a well cared for site.
Objectives:
- Ensure the Health and Safety of all visitors and staff
- To provide a clean environment
How the objectives are met:
- Safe environment.
The grounds are currently maintained by a full time member of staff, who is supported by the Operations Supervisor and the Grounds Maintenance Team, which ensures the grounds are maintained and managed to high standard.
The area is inspected daily for damage and reported promptly to the appropriate Officer / Service Unit whom include:- District Assembly Operations Manager or Environment Officer, Playground Manager, Facilities Manager. The Environment Officer or Operations Manager will then ensure the appropriate action has been undertaken.
The children's play area is inspected daily by the parks staff and any hazards dealt with - faults with the equipment are rectified by a specialist Playground Maintenance Team. Weekly reports are filed which allow action to be monitored. The inspections procedures are currently under review to ensure we continue to improve and challenge existing procedures (See Appendix 3).
An annual inspection of the grounds is carried out in conjunction with a Health and Safety Advisor to monitor existing procedures and highlight any areas requiring attention. Recommendations are implemented by the Management Team.
Risk Assessments have been undertaken for all maintenance operations within the grounds and suitable work methods developed. In addition a Risk Assessment is carried out prior to any event in the grounds to ensure public and staff safety.
The Tameside Patrollers, whom are employed by Tameside MBC - Community Safety Unit, regularly patrol the grounds at various times of the day and the grounds are also covered by CCTV, which is viewed in the Hall Managers office. The Patrollers are provided with a base in the Hall.
Toilets, drinking water, first aid and public telephone are available within the Hall and trained staff, including the Grounds Maintenance staff are on hand to assist in the event of any injury.
Staff are on call seven days a week to respond to any occurrences which may affect the health and safety of visitors, including 24 hour call out system for emergencies involving dangerous trees. Emergencies can be reported by phoning 0161 342 2222 at any time (Minicom 0161 342 3009).
A monthly inspection of the park by the Management Team identifies any general health and safety concerns which are then dealt with appropriately.
- Clean Environment
In line with the Councils Dog Fouling Policy the park operates a policy of 'No Dog Fouling' which is sign posted throughout the park and fencing prevents entry by dogs to the playground. There is a Policy of having no dog bins within the grounds as w e expect the owners to clean up and dispose of their dogs foul. The Tameside Patrollers regularly visit this site and will enforce the policy as and when the need arises.
The District Assembly has recently launched a Dog Fouling Campaign and is working closely with the Patrollers to raise awareness amongst dog owners.
A banner is situated at various parks and open spaces around the area and leaflets are distributed to the surrounding properties and also to the dog walkers within the grounds by the Patrollers (See Appendix 4).
The Patrollers will carry out spot checks at the parks and increase their presence at peak dog walking times such as early mornings and evenings.
7. Clean and Well Maintained
The District Assembly is committed to providing a clean and well maintained area for all its visitors.
Objectives:
- To keep the area free of litter, waste and graffiti
- To manage and maintain high quality landscape areas
- Ground, buildings and equipment are well maintained
How the objectives are met:
- Litter free
The resident Gardener picks up litter on a daily basis and also ensures litter bins are emptied. Any damaged bins are reported to the Operations Manager or Environment Officer and replaced. It is recognised that the visual impression of the grounds is important to visitors and the removal of litter from all areas is a priority.
The Tameside Patrollers patrol the grounds regularly and monitor the litter and will secure a fixed penalty notice on any members of the public found dropping their litter.
Any instances of graffiti are reported as a matter of urgency to Facilities Management, Playground Manager or Operations Manager. The graffiti shall then receive attention as soon as is practically possible.
Continual liaison with and between all users of the Hall and grounds is accepted as the best way of preventing vandalism and fostering a sense of ownership and shall be encouraged at every opportunity.
Maintenance schedules can be obtained from the Town Manager.
- High quality landscape maintenance
The flowerbeds are planted twice yearly together with the tubs which are located around the grounds. Some of the grass areas are box mowed with the larger areas mowed by a ride on machine. Shrubs and hedges are frequently attended and our Arboriculture Unit carryout ad hoc work as necessary. The resident Gardener also cuts and maintains the bowling green and through the Horticultural CI Group implements landscape improvements.
- Grounds, building and equipment
The building and structures are regularly inspected and a record kept of the inspections. Any repair or improvements work identified is built into a Rolling Programme.
All equipment (mowers etc) is maintained to a high standard in accordance with the Health and Safety Policy by our Central Team based at Tame Street , Stalybridge.
8. Sustainability
In line with its commitment to Local Agenda 21, the Denton and Audenshaw District Assembly continuously takes account of the principles of sustainability in its management of Ryecroft Hall.
Objectives:
- Pesticide use should be minimised and justified.
- Peat free should be widely used.
- Waste material in the grounds should be recycled and support Local Agenda 21.
How the objectives are met:
- Use of pesticides
Pesticides are not distributed within Ryecroft Hall unless there are no viable alternatives that can be found.
If herbicides are required a glyphosate based product would be chosen as a last option. The product distribution would be limited and only be used as a spot rather than a blanket cover treatment.
Glyphosate as an active ingredient is chosen as it is inactivated when it comes in contact with the soil, as a herbicide is a very effective systemic and is far less toxic than other forms of herbicide.
Insecticides and fungicides are also applied as a last resort within Ryecroft Hall and would only be used on fine, sports turf as a spot treatment if the condition has spread out of control and other methods of treatment have failed.
All of Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council staff who apply pesticides within Ryecroft Hall have passed their National Proficiency Test Council Pesticide Certificate of Competence, PA1 Foundation Module and PA6 Handheld Applicators.
- Using Peat Free
In recent years Denton Nursery has increasingly reduced its consumption of peat based composts, replacing them with either peat free or peat reduced products. Denton Nursery has carried this out to comply with the Green Flag Award Scheme by using peat free products, but also for sustainability reasons. These reasons include helping to reduce the extraction of peat from our remaining peat-lands and the reuse of recycled composted green waste. Denton Nursery has tried various different peat free or reduced products over the years and are always looking at new alternatives on the market. The Nursery has grown plants for the Green Flag parks using these products for a number of years and has always prided itself on the crops that are produced.
- Recycling Material
All arboricultural waste including large trunks are now split and chipped with the resultant chippings used as mulch on planted beds across the borough reducing the use of herbicide.
All green waste generated in the park is collected from containers by dedicated Tameside staff to be composted centrally by Greater Manchester Waste. GMW then produce a product that is dark brown in colour, similar to topsoil and consists primarily of organic matter such as vegetable matter, paper, card and mineral substances including stone and grit. The material produced is ideal for composting and improving growing conditions for plants and trees.
Plastic containers used in the growing of bedding plants for the park are either reusable or recyclable, Denton Nursery also trialled peat free Jiffy pots in 2006.
Use of recycled materials in the choice of parks furniture e.g. benches and containers.
For further information on recycling in Tameside and Local Agenda 21 please see link below:
www.tameside.gov.uk/recycling
9. Conservation and Heritage
The value of Ryecroft Hall lies in its heritage and surrounding area coupled with the wildlife, which is encouraged to the grounds.
Objectives:
- To encourage and enhance various habitats such that they achieve their maximum value for wildlife.
- To manage and maintain the building and heritage within the grounds for the benefit of the whole community.
How the objectives are met:
- Habitat management
Whilst the site is small every opportunity is used to provide a diversity of environment to the benefit of the local wildlife.
- A number of bird nest boxes have been established in the grounds and are now being successfully used.
- Bat boxes have likewise been provided and there is already evidence of them being accessed.
- Log piles have been left to encourage insect and fungal colonies.
- Pesticide use is kept to a minimum.
- The advice of the Greater Manchester Ecological Unit has been sought on the conservation of the grounds.
- Building and heritage
Facilities Management who are responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of this Grade II listed building, carryout regular inspections and ensure any repair work is carried out as soon as practically possible.
The Hall recently underwent extensive refurbishment and many of the original features restored.
10. Community Involvement
A key to the success of Ryecroft Hall has been the involvement of the community. The Hall has a mixture of usage from working offices to Community Groups.
Objectives:
- To capture and use the views of the community.
- To involve the community in the management of the area.
- To encourage local schools to become involved in sustainability programmes.
How the objectives are met:
- Views of the community
Consultation is essential to identify the views of local residents, park users and visitors alike and what changes they would like to see in their parks. This enables relevant Management Plans to be drawn up to deliver their objectives.
We have gained the views of residents regarding parks in a number of ways:
- Citizen 2000 panel September - October 2003, overall statistical view of the use of parks and playing fields generally by TMBC Policy and Equality Unit.
- Enquiries made at Denton and Audenshaw District Assembly meetings.
- Views gained via the Council's Corporate Complaints system.
- Individual customer surveys carried out at Ryecroft Hall in March 2002, September 2004 and March 2006.
- Community involvement
A Management Committee existing within the Hall which is made up of the different community groups. The Committee will be involved with future developments within the grounds and will also link with the 'Friends of the Park' group to ensure both the Hall and the grounds work together for the community.
The District Assembly have recently set up a 'Friends of the Park' who now meet regularly to discuss the management of the area and to identify a programme for improvements. It is the group's intention to apply for external funding to further improve the facilities and heritage within the grounds.
In 2006 the Bowling accommodation was refurbished, with support from the District Assembly, Facilities Management and Andrew Gwynne the local MP.
- Schools involvement
The Assembly regularly runs an education programme with schools, tailored to meet the particular requirements of the schools and based on the National Curriculum.
Activities may vary from bulb planting, building nest/ bat boxes to arranging teddy bears picnics.
11. Marketing
Ryecroft Hall is both a working Hall, which is accommodation for different Council departments and is also used by many community groups. ITV chose Ryecroft Hall as a venue for a recent wedding shoot for the programme Coronation Street .
Objectives:
- To provide a range of information about the Hall and the grounds.
How the objectives are met:
- To market Ryecroft effectively
Ryecroft Hall is publicised in various ways, from press releases to newsletters.
The District Assembly has recently designed a leaflet publicising Ryecroft Hall, which will be distributed to Customer Services, Libraries and will also appear on Tameside's Website.
A community Newsletter is produced monthly, which informs the Halls users of forthcoming events and other items.
Tameside 'What's On' is an Authority wide publication which includes Ryecroft as an events venue.
The Tameside Reporter and Advertiser are both used for articles and advertisements about the park.
Facilities Management will fund a series of Brass Band Concerts during the summer period.
Information of Ryecroft Hall can be found on Tameside MBC's website and 'Tameside What's On', which is an information booklet available at all Customer Services Centres and the Tourist Information Office.
Events also appear in the Advertiser, which is a free newspaper delivered to all residents within the borough wide. Details of the facilities within the Hall also appear in Tameside's Wedding Brochure.
12. Management
Management of the Park
Responsibility for the management of the ground at Ryecroft Hall lies with the Denton and Audenshaw District Assembly under the direction of the Denton and Audenshaw Town Manager.
The Town Manager is assisted in the management of Ryecroft by his team including an Assistant Town Manager, an Environmental Officer responsible for day to day management of green spaces in the Town, an Operations Manager responsible for grounds maintenance work on all green sites and administrative assistance.
This management team, along with the grounds senior Gardener, holds a monthly meeting at the park, at which ongoing maintenance and future developments are planned and monitored.
All current and proposed work and events within the grounds are included within the Denton and Audenshaw Town Plan produced each year by the Town Manager and agreed by the District Assembly. The individual Town Plans in turn are incorporated into the wider Business Plan, which covers the whole of Tameside's District Assembly Service.
Resources for the Park
The greater part of the costs associated with management of the park are covered and controlled by the Denton and Audenshaw District Assembly in line with Tameside MBC's aim of giving responsibility for local matters to local people via the District Assemblies.
If larger works are needed which fall outside the scope of the District Assembly's budget, applications may be made to the Council's capital programme.
Budgets held by the District Assembly Service for specialist areas such as children's play or tree maintenance may, at times, be directed towards the grounds for specific projects.
Finally, opportunities are also taken, wherever possible, to apply for funds via outside grant schemes such as the Big Lottery Fund.
Park Staff
The majority of work within the grounds is carried out by the Denton and Audenshaw District Assembly's own staff.
The grounds are currently maintained by one full time member of staff with the support of the grounds maintenance team as required. Specialist staff from the Arboriculture Unit and Playground Maintenance Team carry out ad hoc work as necessary. Tameside Patrollers make periodic visits to the grounds and take the lead in enforcing dog fouling byelaws.
Training
The Council as a whole, and this includes Ryecroft Hall, has been awarded Investor In People. Under this all staff receive annual development reviews, which identify employee objectives and in turn training needs, which are built into subsequent Business Plans.
The training needs take into account the skills required to manage Ryecroft Hall, and this has included: - NVQ training in horticulture, customer care, playground inspections and first aid.
The Council has a central training budget, with a proportion being allocated to the District Assemblies.
Review of the Management Plan
It is intended that this plan be a working document and, as such, shall be amended as opportunities arise to carry out improvements within the grounds or if changing circumstances affect the existing proposals. The plan will also be reviewed at the end of the three years covered by the Action Plan.
The purpose of this plan is to help provide a welcoming recreational facility for the residents and visitors of Audenshaw and the wider area. Any comments or suggestions from park users, local residents, community groups, the business community or other interested groups or individuals would be most welcome and may be forwarded to the Denton, Audenshaw and Dukinfield Town Manager:-
Mr Stuart Mollison, Denton Town Hall, Market Street, Denton M34 2AP
0161 342 2704
Send a Message
Appendix 1
A sustainability Charter for Ryecroft Hall, Audenshaw
Tameside Council is committed to the principles of sustainable development and is striving to improve the quality of life of those living, working and visiting the area both now and in the future. Through the provision of services it aims to contribute to the objectives of the UK Strategy for Sustainable Development, which seeks to achieve:
- Social progress that meets the needs of everyone.
- Effective protection of the environment.
- Prudent use of natural resources.
- Maintenance of high and stable levels of economic growth and employment.
Tameside MBC has produced a 'Quality of Life Strategy' which sets out an action plan to implement the Local Agenda 21 principles. This covers all aspects of the Councils responsibilities including the built environment, the natural environment, waste management and pollution. It is against the background of this strategy that the following guiding principles for Ryecroft Hall have been developed.
Guiding Principles
In its management of the facilities provided at Ryecroft Hall the Council undertakes to:
- Reduce the consumption of natural resources, especially energy and water.
- Where feasible, substitute non-renewable resources with renewable ones.
- Minimise the production wastes.
- Reuse and recycle wastes.
- Release wastes only in forms which natural processes can assimilate.
- Prevent pollution by minimising the use of chemicals.
- Preserve and where possible increase the variety and diversity of species and habitats.
- Protect natural and built up physical assets and amenities that once damaged would be impossible, difficult or very slow to restore and recreate.
- Encourage sustainable modes of travel to and from the Hall.
- Ensure all facilities are accessible to all members of the public.
- Maintain a clean, safe and secure environment.
- Establish mechanisms for continual liaison with users of the Park.
Appendix 2
Ryecroft Hall Action Plan 2006 - 2009
|
Work Identified |
Contributes to |
Completion Date |
Approximate Cost |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2006/07 |
2007/08 |
2008/09 |
|||
|
A Welcoming Place |
|||||
|
Replace/ New signage to and within the park |
Improved appearance and community |
√ |
√ |
- |
£500.00 |
|
Replace/ New notice boards |
Improve appearance and community |
√ |
√ |
- |
£2,000.00 |
|
Improve main entranceway |
Improve appearance |
√ |
√ |
- |
£5,000.00 |
|
Sand blast brickwork of main entrance |
Improve appearance |
Completed |
- |
- |
|
|
Health, Safe and Secure |
|||||
|
Look at Traffic Management solutions |
Improve appearance and Health and Safety |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
|
Refurbish play area |
Appearance of park, Health and Safety |
√ |
√ |
- |
|
|
Clean and Well Maintained |
|||||
|
Address style of bins and location |
Improve appearance |
√ |
- |
- |
|
|
Resurface woodland paths |
Improve appearance |
√ |
- |
- |
£500.00 |
|
Paint railings |
Improve appearance |
√ |
√ |
- |
|
|
New recycled benches |
Improve appearance |
√ |
√ |
- |
£350.00 each |
|
New recycled picnic benches |
Improve appearance |
√ |
√ |
- |
£360.00 each |
|
Sustainability |
|||||
|
Minimise the quantity of pesticide use |
Environmental issues |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
|
Improve on Local Agenda 21 |
Environmental issues |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
|
Maximise the use of peat free |
Environmental issues |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
|
Improve procurement process for all bedding material |
Environmental Issues |
Completed |
|
|
|
|
Conservation and Heritage |
|||||
|
Carryout a Grounds Landscape survey in conjunction with the Local History Society |
Improve appearance/ Restore Heritage |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
|
Agree a spatial usage and Improvement Plan (Master Plan) for the park. |
Improve appearance/ Restore Heritage |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
|
Provision of nest boxes |
Improve wildlife value |
Completed |
- |
- |
£20.00 per box |
|
Erect Bat boxes |
Improve wildlife value |
Completed |
- |
- |
£20.00 per box |
|
Introduce log piles |
Improve wildlife value |
Completed |
- |
- |
|
|
Carryout tree survey |
Improve appearance and Health and Safety |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
|
Install traditional railing style to bottom of park |
Improve appearance |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
|
Community Involvement |
|||||
|
Establish Friends Group as part of the Hall Management Committee |
Improved communications and community facilities |
Completed |
- |
- |
|
|
Improve communications with Service Unit user of the Hall and surrounding premises |
Improved communications |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
| Marketing | |||||
|
Produce marketing information i.e. leaflets/ advertise Friends Group |
Improve communication |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
| Management | |||||
|
Revise Management Plan |
Improve communications and management |
Completed |
|
|
|
|
Review of Management Plan |
Improve communications and management |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
Appendix 3
Health and Safety Inspection Sheet and Fault Report 291.26 KB 
Appendix 4



