Strengths

Presentation

Clear use of Green Flag criteria

Health, Safety & Security

Risk Assessments in place. Part of a bigger site, so economies of scale possible.

Maintenance of equipment

Regular, scheduled checks

Litter, cleanliness, vandalism

Clear policies, including steps to address vandalism

Environmental Sustainability

Recycling cut wood/brash on site through chipping

Conservation of heritage

Potentially excellent site. Very committed 'Friends' group with a strong sense of their value to the protection and enhancement of the site

Community Involvement

'Friends' group playing an integral role and essential to the Council in the future successful management of the site

Marketing Strategy

Part of a larger reserve system and utilises this. 'Friends' leaflets are an added bonus

Overall management

Part of larger site, so benefits from strength in depth and opportunities for economies of scale

A Welcoming Place

New signage and info provides a sense of 'arrival'.

Healthy, Safe and Secure

Contact number published on the new interpretation panels. Some work on the paths to aid access

Clean & Well Maintained

No litter or dog 'poo'

Sustainability

Good use of cut material - chipping and possibly using willow staves to repair fence panels

Conservation & Heritage

Interpretation of historic features and information is good

Community Involvement

'Friends' serve a crucial role in the security and future of the site and communicating its importance to local people - (good local survey)

Marketing

Benefits from being part of a bigger site. Excellent newsletter and info booklet

Management

Part of a bigger management network, strengthened by involvement of 'Friends'

Recommendations

Presentation

Plan is too generic. Needs to be more site specific. Reduce text in the information section and increase the points covered by the Action Plan

Health, Safety & Security

Inherently hazardous site. Need to invest heavily, but selectively, in DDA compliance if the site is to cater for the wider community. Site patrols may need to be substantially increased

Maintenance of equipment

Steps, barrier and exposed quarry faces need more frequent checking intervals

Litter, cleanliness, vandalism

More steps to engage with local youth (eg. from Macklands Road area) may help to address vandalism/graffiti problems

Environmental Sustainability

Some reference to the use of local contractors to do the work, would be beneficial. The scope of the work needs to be justified in terms of the benefits to biodiversity and its cost effectiveness

Conservation of heritage

Surveys/monitoring MUST determine the management regime. Key partners must be utilised more effectively to achieve this. The management is 'tinkering' at the moment, which will not realise the benefits to species that is required

Community Involvement

Need to expand the support base beyond the 'Friends' through local engagement to encourage volunteering and partnerships. Non-user and visitor surveys would help address this

Marketing Strategy

Could be promoted separately on Council website

Overall management

Need to identify Performance Indicators and targets in order to assess progress against the Management Plan

A Welcoming Place

 The entrances are likely to be quite forbidding to some sections of the community and it needs to be considered carefully how this can be addressed sympathetically

Healthy, Safe and Secure

More contact information needed on info panels - nearest phone box, emergency callout number and the hours available etc. Waymarkers needed as navigation aids and site lines

Clean & Well Maintained

Significant level of graffiti on site even though Management Plan declared this "not to be a problem". This should be addressed

Sustainability

Better use of the cut materials can be determined once the management plan has been prioritised following thorough habitat/species surveys

Conservation & Heritage

Poor species recording and habitat definition must impact on the ability to conserve and protect the site's natural assets

Community Involvement

Need to engage local youth and, where possible, enlist their help in the management. 'Friends' will need to consider how to attract 'new blood' to the group

Marketing

Web page is very basic and uninspiring - needs up-dating

Management

Must set PI's and realistic targets that reflect the priorities of the site

Additional Comments

Outdoor classroom area - need to assess how much this might be used and weigh this against the cost of its up-keep. Risk assessment may make it impracticable