Strengths
|
Presentation
Strengths |
A very good management plan
showing a very committed local authority all aspects
covered very comprehensively. |
Health,
Safety & Security Strengths |
The site is abounded by
overlooking houses, many of which are associated with
the site itself, this coupled with a tolerant view of
the use of the site gives the impression of a secure and
safe site. |
Maintenance
of equipment, b... Strengths |
Covered |
Litter,
cleanliness, vandalism Strengths |
Covered
well. |
Environmental
Sustainability Strengths |
Mention of arisings being
composted on nearby allotments, recycling of litter
where possible, use of accredited sustainable timber on
site, attempting to eradicate invasive weed species
primarily knot weed. |
Conservation
of heritage & ... Strengths |
Local Nature Reserve,
chimneys, heath, grassland and landscape character
assessment. |
|
Fantastic community
involvement, incredibly active friends group with in
excess of 800 hrs volunteer time accrued annually. Many
events undertaken on site |
Marketing
Strategy Strengths |
Excellent provision for
marketing material. Comprehensive and attempts to engage
with all users. |
Overall
management Strengths |
Well
covered |
|
|
A
Welcoming Place Strengths |
With a quite unique
character, Troopers Hill’s recognition as a significant
wildlife habitat and site of important heritage value is
clear. Excellent signage and access make the site a
valued asset that is well used by the local community
and visitors from the wider locality |
Healthy,
Safe and Secure Strengths |
Most issues arising
from the green flag assessment of 2007 have been
addressed. |
Clean
& Well Maintained Strengths |
Overall, the site is
maintained to a high standard with dog fouling and
litter management at levels ranging from acceptable to
very good |
Sustainability
Strengths |
The excellent work
already undertaken in the area
continues. |
Conservation
& Heritage Strengths |
Comprehensive plan for people
and landscape management in partnership with
stakeholders ensures effective conservation of Troopers
Hill |
|
Rob Acton-Campbell and his
wife clearly play a key roll in what is one of the most
active and effective Friends Group the judges have
encountered. |
Marketing
Strengths |
Marketing is covered by an
extensive array of quality publications. The
quarterly publication by Friends of Troopers Hill is
outstanding. Excellent web site designed and managed
by the Friends group with a comprehensive and diverse
index of information / publications plus links to
Bristol Parks web site. |
Management
Strengths |
12 months after the original
Green Flag Assessment the site continues to be developed
and improved in keeping with what is a highly effective
and well implemented management plan. |
Recommendations |
Presentation
Recommendations |
Not a fault of the applicants
but the green flag criteria asks for a lot of evidence
to be provided at this desk stage. Much reference to
where documentation can be found but maybe electronic
attachments could be made with further applications.
Evidence would like to be seen of monitoring procedures
and marketing material before the site
visit |
Health,
Safety & Secu... Recommendations |
Covered
well. |
Maintenance
of equipm... Recommendations |
Although incidents of
vandalism are small in relation to visitor numbers
exploring CCTV as an option might benefit the
site. |
Litter,
cleanliness, ... Recommendations |
Covered
well. |
Environmental
Sustain... Recommendations |
Not sure if arisings are
being composted, site visit later revealed that they
were taken across Bristol to Blaise Castle Estate’s
bio-digester, however commendable this method of
disposal, the true environmental costs of transporting
this material across the city should be
investigated. |
Conservation
of herit... Recommendations |
Just to be aware that It is
evident the plan has a strong element of nature
conservation |
|
Covered
well. |
Marketing
Strategy DA Recommendations |
Covered
well. |
Overall
management Recommendations |
Covered
well. |
|
|
A
Welcoming Place Recommendations |
New entrance works, both in
situ and planned, along with soon to be installed
updated signage will add even further to what is already
an extremely attractive and welcoming green
space |
Healthy,
Safe and Secure Recommendations |
Construction of the bridge
across the eroded path adjacent to the Badger Sett has
successfully addressed the trip/slip hazard that existed
previously. The new entrance is a major improvement
however the steep drop directly onto the highway could
present a hazard to users as no kerb safety barriers
have been installed. A risk assessment of the feature
should be undertaken and any findings acted
upon.
Many of the wooden steps throughout the
site are badly eroded and rapidly approaching their
‘sell by date’. Ensure the necessary repairs are given
equal priority to the other improvements taking
place. |
Clean
& Well Maintained Recommendations |
The appointment of a
dedicated site ranger is an extremely positive step and
the close working relationship between Julian Thomas and
Rob Acton-Campbell is clearly delivering real benefits.
Judges noticed that repair to one of the benches
is still outstanding from the last Green Flag
assessment. Given the time that has now elapsed since
Operations was taken back in house this oversight points
to there still being a gap between policy and delivery.
Given the extraordinarily high quality of the management
plans and other documentation it is considered that
greater focus on delivery and above all outcomes is
still required. |
Sustainability
Recommendations |
Consider undertaking an
environmental impact assessment of current procedure for
disposal of green waste as this may identify
opportunities for reducing existing levels of transport
movements. |
Conservation
& Heritage Recommendations |
Continue to act on the
recommendation contained within the comprehensive
management plan . |
|
Consider tactile trail /
tactile maps, in particular where there are panoramic
views |
Marketing
Recommendations |
Judges concede that visitor
numbers to Troopers Hill will always require managing to
ensure the site’s integrity is maintained. Given this
situation, continue to act on the recommendation
contained within the management plan |
Management
Recommendations |
Covered |
|
Bristol City Council should
be justifiably proud of the achievements of their Parks
Service Department. This well managed and well run
organisation delivers quality at all levels and Troopers
Hill is a shining example of what can be achieved when
true partnership working amongst all stakeholders is
lead so effectively. A blend of enthusiastic and
committed staff along with a hugely impressive friends
group has again resulted in a well deserved Green Flag
Award. |