Agenda and minutes

To agree the terms of reference and membership for a Governance Board for Tatton Park to oversee the delivery of the Council’s objectives for the management and conservation of the Estate, the realisation of its value to the visitor economy and communities of Cheshire East and the wider region, plus the delivery of the lease obligations with the National Trust.

Tatton Park was owned by The National Trust, with whom Cheshire East Council had a 99-year, fully-repairing lease (formerly with Cheshire County Council) with 52 years to run. Within the constraints of the lease, Tatton was currently managed as a trading account on a quasi-commercial basis, with around 800,000 visits annually. It operated a successful events programme, including the annual RHS Flower Show. The Park was a driver for the cultural and visitor economy of Cheshire East and was important to the ongoing development of the visitor economy of the area.

It was proposed that the governance arrangements in place under the former County Council be continued until alternative arrangements were made in future. There was a need to put in place management arrangements that carried forward the achievements to date and best place Tatton Park to deliver positive outcomes for the economy and communities of Cheshire East. It was suggested that the governance of the Board be based on the terms of reference and membership set out in the Annex to the report.

RESOLVED

That the terms of reference and membership for the Tatton Park Board as set out in the Annex to the report be approved.