The Land Trust invites expressions of interest for Managing Agent of Silverdale Country Park and Hassall Green Nature Reserve

The Land Trust is tendering for the landscape management contract for Silverdale Country Park and Hassall Green Nature Reserve, with a new contract starting from March 2024. 

Silverdale Country Park is an approximately 83Ha area of green space created on the site of the former Silverdale Colliery near Newcastle-under-Lyme in North Staffordshire. It is a space for the community to enjoy and where nature can thrive. There is a focus on bringing people together and providing benefits to their daily lives in a way that is sensitive to the site’s cultural heritage and wildlife value.

Hassall Green Nature Reserve is a rural site on the Southern outskirts of Hassall Green village, approximately 2.2ha. Formerly a sand quarry, the site was used for land fill until the late 80’s and has now been fully remediated. The nature reserve is a haven for wildlife and managed as a closed site where local people can get close to nature through organised volunteering sessions and events.

The Managing Agent for the Land Trust will be the local eyes, ears and contact for the site on a day to day basis. They will have the following responsibilities:

• Deliver the requirements of the Site Management Plan
• Ensure the site is well managed and maintained
• Manage their staff and recruit and support volunteers on the site
• Procure goods and services for the site
• Monitor quality and standards associated with all service delivery
• Develop, engage, consult and support Friend’s groups, user/interest groups and local communities to get involved in the park
• Respond to day to day enquiries and complaints from the public
• Work with partner organizations involved in the site at a local and strategic level
• Ensure the health and safety of users and service providers, including addressing policy requirements such as accident reporting and monitoring
• Work within requirements of specified policies and regulations for example; Freedom of Information Act, Data Protection, Land Trust’s Health and Safety Policy and Communications Protocol
• Maintain comprehensive records including auditable financial records of income and expenditure
• Deliver, collect, collate and report on Land Trust’s Charitable Key Performance Indicators which are: to improve the health of the local population, provide education and a learning resource, support economic prosperity, encourage community cohesion and enhance the natural environment.

The Managing Agent will be appointed through a 10 year Termed Management Agreement, which will be the subject of an annual review.

If you are interested in submitting a tender for the contract at Silverdale Country Park and Hassall Green Nature Reserve, please email marydoyle@thelandtrust.org.uk  by 15 September 2023.