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Item Number:
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Title Northala Fields - Get Hooked on Fishing Project
Responsible Officer(s) Keith Townsend –
Executive Director for Environment and Customer Services
keith.townsend@ealing.gov.uk Tel: (020) 8825 9551
Author(s) Jane Newman – Project Manager
newmanja@ealing.gov.uk Tel: (020) 8825 8990
Ian Ross – Parks Area Manager (West)
ian.ross@ealing.gov.uk Tel: (020) 8825 7968
Portfolio(s) Councillor Phil Taylor – Customer and Community Services
For Consideration By Cabinet
Date to be Considered Tuesday 23rd June 2009
Implementation Date if Monday 6th July 2009
Not Called In
Affected Wards Greenford Broadway and Northolt West End
Keywords/Index Northala, Fishing, Funding, Partnership, Get Hooked on
Fishing
Purpose of Report
This report seeks approval from Cabinet to agree arrangements with the national
charity, Get Hooked on Fishing, to enable the establishment of a project that will get
young people at risk of exclusion involved in the sport, and encourage wider
community participation. The report also seeks approval to explore the feasibility of
a building at Northala Fields as a base for the project, including a classroom, public
WCs and café.
1. Recommendations
It is recommended that Cabinet authorise the Assistant Director for Leisure
and Parks following consultation with the Portfolio Holder to:
1.1. Negotiate arrangements with Get Hooked on Fishing to deliver the community
fishing scheme at Northala Fields; manage the lakes and fish stock on behalf
of the Council following consultation with the Director of Legal & Democratic
Services.
1.2 Agree, in principle, to the provision of a building within Northala Fields and
authorise the Executive Director for Environment and Customer Services to
commission architects for initial feasibility and design at a cost of
approximately £20k, from existing project funding.
1.3. Authorise the Executive Director for Environment and Customer Services to
apply to external funding bodies for capital funding towards the detailed design
and construction costs of the building, by using the remaining anticipated £69K
as match funding.
2. Reason for Decision and Options Considered
2.1. At Northala Fields, six “ponds”, each approximately ¼ acre have been
created . 60 fishing platforms have been constructed, each platform being
disabled accessible. The ponds are part of a larger waterway network in the
new park, which also includes a model boating lake and a large “wetland”
area.
2.2. In September 2007 expressions of interest were invited for a fishing franchise
at Northala Fields. This resulted in only one Pre Qualification Questionnaire
being submitted. The advice from legal was not to proceed as the PQQ was
not sufficiently complete (lack of financial information).
2.3. Site visits and exchange of ideas had taken place with two other companies
who did not submit expressions of interest. Both expressed their concerns
over site security, leading to risk of theft of fish stock. The private operators
were of the view that a 2m high fence around the lakes would be required.
They were also concerned with the financial viability because of the cost of
stocking the lakes (around £20,000 to stock carp).
2.4. Officers researched alternative options, including the viability of creating a
community urban fishing project as an alternative to a private operator fishing
franchise.
2.5. Discussions took place with the Environment Agency who is committed to
developing fishing in West London.
2.6. The option recommended is based on developing a partnership model with
Get Hooked on Fishing (a registered charity) to create a community fishing
project. This model is based on successful schemes across the country.
Several of the schemes run as a social enterprise. The benefit of this type of
scheme is that all profits are re-invested into the scheme, increasing financial
sustainability. (Further detailed information about Get Hooked on Fishing at
end of this report point 18)
2.7. Officers have visited the Get Hooked Fishing base in Durham. Extensive
discussions have taken place with the Environment Agency and the
Metropolitan Police Safer Neighbourhoods Unit. Regular presentations and
reports have been made to the Northala Steering Board who is supportive of
the recommendations in the Cabinet report.
2.8. Objectives of the Get Hooked on Fishing project will be:
Promote angling and an increase in accessibility to a fishing resource by local
people
Create a marginal aquatic habitat to help support a sustainable fishery and
provide protection from cormorant predation
Create a sustainable mixed coarse fishery suitable for angling development by
stocking of native fish
Develop facilities at Northala Fields for members of the public and to provide a
base for the Get Hooked on Fishing project, public WCs and a café
2.9. The project to set up a new Get Hooked on Fishing Scheme in Ealing would
be a „flagship‟ scheme for West London. The partners would include Ealing
Council, Safer Neighbourhoods Unit, Extended Schools and the Environment
Agency. A much wider network of project partners will support and contribute
to the delivery of this project.
2.10 The “do nothing” option was considered, but was not the preferred option as it
raises a number of issues and risks as outlined below.
RISK ANALYSIS FOR THE „DO NOTHING‟ OPTION
Issue Risk
Lakes Even if the lakes are not stocked with fish, they will require
management management and maintenance with a risk of increased cost
to the Council.
Fishing Waste of resources of the 60 specially constructed fishing
platforms platforms that are in place.
Toilet Ward forums have highlighted the need for toilets on site in
facilities the new park. If the toilets are not part of an occupied
managed building there is greater risk of anti-social
behaviour and vandalism
Cafe The ward forums have highlighted the public demand for a
café on site and there is a risk of dissatisfaction with the
park facilities if there is no café/WCs
Site security There is a known risk of anti social behaviour on the site
which would be reduced by presence of Get Hooked on
Fishing on site, contributing to site security. This view is
supported by the Met Police Safer Neighbourhoods Unit.
2.11 Consequently, the preferred option is to progress the feasibility and design of a
building by using a proportion of the existing money to appoint an architect up to
RIBA stage C. After this design and initial cost estimate stage, there would be a
„gateway‟ review of the project to decide whether it should proceed to
construction dependent on the capital that has been raised.
3 Key Implications
3.1 A project that delivers both angling, social inclusion and peer-led coaching
at Northala Fields for the borough of Ealing.
3.2 A building that is used as a resource for both the project and local
community.
4 Financial
4.1 In this initial stage of the project, the financial implications that arise relate to
the fees to secure an architect to design a building on which to try to secure
further external funding. The approximate fees for this stage of the project will be
£20k. This can be funded from the surplus relating to the Northala Fields
scheme.
4.2 Get Hooked on Fishing have secured £50k from the Metropolitan Police to allow
planning and initial delivery of fishing schemes within the Borough using other
sites available in the interim. This is a one-off sum of money and further revenue
will need to be secured by Get Hooked on Fishing to allow the scheme to
progress beyond this initial stage.
4.3 The total capital cost of a building to support the scheme is estimated to be:
Cost £
Building works (to include office space, classroom, 400
public WCs & Café)
Professional and statutory fees 43
TOTAL 443k
4.4 To fund the scheme it is necessary to apply for external funding to
cover the cost of all works. It is anticipated that some bids will require
a level of match funding, and there is approx. £69k surplus funds
remaining from the Northala scheme after initial architect fees have
been paid that could be used to enable this.
4.5 At the initial design phase, the architects will be asked to design a
building that can be delivered in modules so that works can be phased
according to funding that has been secured. No works can be
undertaken unless funding bids are successful.
4.6 Get Hooked on Fishing will need to secure funding for the revenue
costs of running the scheme, with the long-term intention of creating a
social enterprise that will self-fund the project through raising revenues
from courses and profit from the cafe. It is anticipated that the revenue
costs would be approx. £50-60k. There are 2 financial risks that arise
from this. If GHOF are unable to secure funding initially, then the
Council may end up with buildings with no-one to run a scheme. The
2nd risk is that to enable GHOF to become self-funding, the full
specification of the building must be in place to allow them to generate
income.
4.7. GHOF have a track record of securing revenue funding for similar
schemes (including the Durham scheme that the team has visited). As GHOF
will be seeking revenue funding at the same time as the Council seeks funding
for building works, it will be important to monitor and report on scheme progress
and financial viability. This will be done through the Steering Group and
subsequent reports to Cabinet.
4.8. If the full building were not to be financially viable, GHOF would need to
continue to secure funds to run the project.
4.9. Funds secured are held by the Council and are only paid over upon delivery
to GHOF or would be returned to the funding body.
4.10 Maintenance costs of the building and any public areas would need to be
funded and agreement on funding arrangements will need to be in place.
4.11. Funding for stocks of fish for the lakes has already been secured from the
Environment Agency, a total of £10k. Fish will not be released into the lakes until
there is at least a basic building on site to allow for proper management of the
fish stock. The Environment Agency is aware of the ongoing project. If the
project was not to go ahead, we would need to return this money to them.
4.12. Northolt West End Ward Forum has committed to funding up to £12k for
fishing equipment and other small items to ensure the success of the project if
other funding streams are secured to allow the project to take place. Greenford
Broadway Ward Forum has allocated £12,000 subject to their approval of a
“shopping list” of items.
5. Legal
5.1. The Council has powers to proceed with this proposal under the “well-
being” powers under section 2 of the Local Government Act 2000 (the
2000 Act).
5.2. Section 2 of the 2000 Act allows principal local authorities in England and
Wales to do anything they consider likely to promote the economic, social
and environmental well-being of their areas unless explicitly prohibited
elsewhere in legislation. This power („the Well-Being Power‟) is intended
to be all-embracing and in practice, the three objectives of economic,
social or environmental well-being have been interpreted by local
authorities to encompass cultural well-being and the promotion or
improvement of the health of residents and visitors.
5.3. Guidance confirms that the Government is “keen to encourage more local
authorities to consider the potential that this power has to transform their
role, support service improvement and improve outcomes for local people.”
6. Value For Money
6.1. As and when funding is secured for a building all works will be tendered in line
with the Council‟s Contract Procedure Rules to ensure value for money.
7. Sustainability Impact Appraisal
7.1. The project will have a positive impact on sustainability objectives. These will
be defined in the design brief.
7.2. The project will create a marginal aquatic habitat to help support a
sustainable fishery and provide protection from cormorant predation.
7.3. The project will create a sustainable mixed coarse fishery suitable for angling
development by stocking of native fish. Examples of native fish for the stock
include roach, bream, crucian carp, common carp and tench. Get Hooked on
Fishing are designing a fishery for general purpose fishing. Native coarse
fishing species stocked to a sustainable level would provide an angling
amenity for general purpose fishing. The size of the fish corresponding with
the type of fishery would not result in a high risk of theft.
7.4. The brief for the design of the new building will ensure, where possible, that it
meets high environmental sustainability standards (measured by recognised
standards e.g. BREEAM). A borehole is already installed, this is licensed by
the Environment Agency.
8. Risk Management
Description Probability Impact Mitigating Action
Insufficient Medium High 1. Modular design to enable phased
funding delivery as funding becomes available.
2. External funding will improve the
likelihood of achieving funding levels
required for capital and revenue.
Get Hooked on Low High Robust partnership contract to ensure
Fishing not commitment. Consider penalty clauses.
committed to long
term delivery
Lack of public Low Medium Precedents of GHOF existing schemes
support demonstrate high level of public support.
GHOF failure to Low/mediu High 1. The capacity to deliver financial
remain financially m sustainability will be enhanced by cafe
secure 2. The project will be under the umbrella of
the national scheme.
3. GHOF have track record of raising funds.
Theft of fish stock Medium Medium 1. The design of the building will
or other incorporate “secure by design”
vandalism recommendations.
2. The Environment Agency is advising on
methods of reducing likelihood of theft
and types of fish less prone to theft for
sale or consumption.
3. Get Hooked on Fishing responsible
management of the stock will reduce the
risk of theft.
9. Community Safety
9.1. Council Officers are working closely with the Safer Neighbourhoods Unit
who consider this project with Get Hooked on Fishing to be key to delivering their
targets for improved community safety. This is demonstrated through their
£50,000 financial contribution to setting up the project.
10. Links to Strategic Objectives
Environment, housing and culture
To make Ealing a better place to live
Safety
To make Ealing one of the safest places in London
Children and young people
To create a great place for every child and young person to grow up
11. Equalities and Community Cohesion
11.1 An Equality Initial Assessment will be undertaken.
12. Staffing/Workforce and Accommodation implications:
12.1. Officer time managing and implementing the project will be met from existing
resources.
13. Property and Assets
13.1. The new building will be a new Council asset. Legal Services and Lambert
Smith Hampton will advise on the terms of any leases.
13.2. Get Hooked on Fishing will be responsible for maintenance of the lakes. With
responsible management it is not likely that the lakes would need „dredging‟
14. Any other implications:
14.1. The project should lead to positive impact on front line services with an
anticipated outcome of reduced vandalism and anti-social behaviour in
Northala Fields.
15. Consultation
15.1. Consultation has taken place with:
Northala Steering Board
Environment Agency
Metropolitan Police
Northolt West End Ward Forum
Greenford Broadway Ward Forum
Northolt and Greenford Countryside Park Society
Greenford and Northolt Extended Schools Co-ordinators
15.2. Consultation has been based on presentations and discussion; setting up
consultative meetings with key prospective partners/user representatives and
reporting to the Northala Steering Board. Presentations have taken place to
Northolt West End Ward Forum and Greenford Broadway Ward Forum.
Response has been very positive.
15.3. Formal consultation will take place as part of the planning and design process.
This will inform the design process and include open events, public
consultation, questionnaires and further briefings to Northolt Ward Forum.
Young people are being recruited onto the project steering group.
16. Timetable for Implementation
GHOF Implementation
16.1. It is hoped the project will commence during spring/summer 2009. The
proposal is for GHOF to recruit a Project Co-ordinator as soon as funding can
be secured and commence full project delivery as soon as possible. In the
meantime, a series of events and taster sessions will launch the project.
16.2. The project will continue to run, with the aim of developing a sustainable social
enterprise, following models of other Get Hooked on Fishing schemes
elsewhere in the country.
Northala Get Hooked on Fishing Project
Outline project timetable for implementation
July 09 Sept 09 Oct 09 Nov 09 Dec 09 March Sept
June 09
Sept 09
Nov 09
/Feb /Aug 2010
2010 2010
Funding Funding bids Initial Planning Decision and Procurement
Cabinet report on progress with the
Major Projects Board. Authority for
strategy Funding
application
feedback
Public
Cabinet authority
Construction
further steps
consultation
Completion
Partnership Activities plan
project
agreement
Planning
Application
submitted
Architects Design Statutory
concept revisions Planning
design consultation
period ends
17. Appendices
None
18. Background Information
18.1. Leisure and Parks, and Major Projects files.
18.2. Background information Get Hooked on Fishing schemes:
Get Hooked started as police led scheme in Durham in 2000. The Trust now
provides an umbrella structure for local schemes delivering training under the
Get Hooked on Fishing programme.
GHOF works with local agency partners to offer an intervention and
development training programme for local young people. They have
developed a series of training modules (some with OCN accreditation) and an
internal „chartermark‟ by way of setting standards and sharing best practice to
ensure the integrity of programme delivery. Each scheme delivers to a
minimum of 144 young people each year by receiving referrals from local
partners. They engage with all young people but have a proven programme
that demonstrates most dramatic results with those who are experiencing
some form of social exclusion. GHOF currently have a network of fifteen
„chartermark‟ schemes across the UK.
GHOF actively seeks to create pathways for young people through building
strong relationships with partners who are education and training providers;
schools services and related support services.
Alongside programmes for young people, there is opportunity for casual
fishing, for all ages. The project also lends itself to working with people with
disabilities as the fishing platforms at Northala have been designed to be
wheelchair accessible.
Officers have visited the Get Hooked Fishing base in Durham. Extensive
discussions have taken place with the Environment Agency and the
Metropolitan Police Safer Neighbourhoods Unit.
The Home Office manages the Positive Futures Scheme – fishing is included
as one of the programme activities. "Most Youth Service professionals who
have encountered the Get Hooked on Fishing scheme have sensed
something special about the project. There is an apparent synergy of vision,
commitment, process and tangible outcomes." (Home Office - Positive
Futures)
Further information may be seen on the website http://www.ghof.org.uk/
Consultation
Name of consultee Post held and Date sent to Final Date Comments
Department consultee received appear in
from report
consultee paragraph:
Internal
Keith Townsend Executive Director 8th April 2009 10th June Throughout
for Environment and 2009
Customer Services
Steve Marshall Head of Leisure and 8th April 2009 10th June None
Parks 2009
Jonathan Kirby Head of Major th
8 April 2009 10th June None
Projects and 2009
Developments
Helen Harris Legal and 8th April 2009 10th June Para 1, 5.
Democratic Services 2009
Adele Taylor Director of Finance th
8 April 2009 10th June Para 4
Environment and 2009
Customer Services
Councillor Phil Portfolio holder for 8th April 2009 10th June Throughout
Taylor Customer and 2009
Community Services
External
None
Report History
Decision type: Key – entered onto Urgency item? No
forward plan Monday 12th January 2009
Report no.: Report authors and contact for queries:
Jane Newman – Project Ian Ross – Parks Area Manager
Manager (West)
newmanja@ealing.gov.uk ian.ross@ealing.gov.uk
Tel: (020) 8825 8990 Tel: (020) 8825 7968
