Our objectives:
- To suggest improvements and additions to existing facilities and features within the park
- To identify and reflect local needs in the provision and management of facilities within the park
- To suggest / advise on improvements in maintenance and the introduction of measures for security
- To organise fund raising events etc. in order to improve and make better known the parks facilities
- To help in the organisation and running of promotional events
Our constitution
Approved by the Council in May 1998 and amended by the AGM on 18th June 2008, our Consititution includes our formal objectives, eligibility for membership, organisation of the Committee (including holding an Annual General Meeting), and the control and support of the London Borough of Sutton (click to view constitution)
Membership:
open to 'Households', currently the fee is £3 per year. (click to download membership form)
Chairmans Report to 2008 AGM held 18 June 2008:
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Dr Brendan Hudson (Mayor of Sutton), John Frewin and Dominic Byrne |
Members debating Park Security during informal session after AGM |
I would like to start this tenth Annual Report by paying tribute to the Officers and Members of the Committee, who have met six times during the year, they have not only attended formal meetings but have turned up on all occasions when the Friends were involved. We had much support from our Ward Councillors , particularly Councillor Dr. Brendan Hudson who attended nearly all of our meetings.
I have unfortunately to report the death of Mario Francia, a member of our Committee who had lived in the area for forty-four years and was involved with most of what went on in the area. He will be sadly missed.
Last year I reported that we were searching for our identity and reason for our existence. This year we have tried to be more proactive and positive and to achieve things despite the problems facing us.
In July we held, in conjunction with the 3 rd Cheam Scout Group their Centenary Fair to celebrate one hundred years of Scouting. This lead to the 3 rd Cheam using funds raised at this event to install an impressive bench in the Park. This was formally marked by a short ceremony conducted by The Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayoress Councillor Dr Brendan Hudson and Mrs. Jane Hudson, in the presence of members of the Scout Group, the District Commissioner and other Officers of the District of Sutton, members of the Friends of Sutton Common Recreation Ground and the local press. This bench is the only permanent memorial to Scouting's Centenary in the Borough of Sutton.
Also in July we sponsored a torchlight event for the 16 th Morden Scout Group, which was much appreciated by all who took part, and they left with promises of future help.
During the year, we circulated a consultation leaflet to one thousand houses in the area of the Park on the subject of a new name for the Park (full results can be viewed on our website). A recommendation was made to the Council that the new name should be " Sutton Common Park ". This has been accepted and we now await a date from which this will take effect.
Following representation to the North Cheam and Worcester Park Local Committee of Sutton Council, monies have been allocated for
a) installing a new and more challenging climbing frame in the children's play area,
b) improving the land drainage in part of the Park which is too wet to be used
c) new and improved signage at entrances
d) more trees and shrubs
e) the Friends to use in "organised" planting.
These monies are awaiting ratification by the Executive Committee of the Council.
Our website has done much to enhance our image and to allow us to reach many more local residents. Thanks again to Peter Callaway and Ralph Bunnage for all their hard work.
We look forward to the coming year when we hope the Park will look better and be used more often and by many more people. |
Communications between FoSCP and LBS:
On the question referred to in the Chairman's Report to the 2006 AGM, representatives of FoSCP met the Chief Executive of L B Sutton on 6 October 2006 . We explained our perceived remit under the Constitution:- ie
Long term - planning policy, development plans, and finance
Medium term - annual review of budgets, maintenance and publicity, and
Day to day matters - including security, use of facilities, etc
and on which we required access to information for our web site, newsletters and open meeting planned for later in the year.
The Chief Executive wanted to know what the 'Friends' were doing to raise funds and stimulate use of the park which he saw as the prime purpose of the group. It was necessary to remind him that the Friends were still recovering from the rebuilding of the pavilion (still not properly completed) and the planned lease outside the terms on which the park was given to the public for recreational purposes.
The Chief Executive
endorsed the Councils' commitment to consultation with 'Friends' groups but made it particularly clear that there was positively no more money available for 'Leisure' (which includes 'parks');
considered that the Parks manager could address the majority of our concerns;
agreed that it would be useful for us to maintain contact with Parks Police;
suggested that we make contact with the 'Ward Councillors'; and
suggested that we should raise with the Parks Manager the future of the 'Forum' (aka Network of Friends).
How to contact us:
email: friends@foscp.org.uk
post:
Chairman,
Friends of Sutton Common Park,
8 Woodstock Avenue,
Sutton, Surrey, SM3 9EG |
