Agenda and minutes

There were apologies from Deputy Michael Welbank and Reverend Stennett Kirby.

Wendy Mead declared a non-pecuniary interest in regards to items on the agenda due to her membership of the City Bridge Trust Committee.

To elect a Deputy Chairman in accordance with Standing Order 30.

Following the resignation of Alderman Robert Hall as Deputy Chairman of the Committee, an election for the post was held in accordance with Standing Order 30. The Town Clerk read out a list of names of Members eligible to serve and Deputy Alex Deane, being the only Member expressing his willingness to serve, was duly appointed Deputy Chairman of the Committee for the remainder of the municipal year.

The Chairman welcomed Deputy Deane to the Deputy Chairmanship, and then invited Mrs Barbara Newman to deliver a Vote of Thanks to Alderman Robert Hall. The Vote of Thanks was carried unanimously and upon its conclusion, Alderman Hall took the opportunity to thank the Committee for their kind words.

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting dated 22 July 2013 (copy attached).

RESOLVED: that the minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 22 July 2013 be approved as a correct record.

The Superintendent of West Ham Park to be heard.

The Superintendent of West Ham Park delivered an update on recent issues and activities affecting the Park.

Staff

The Superintendent noted that interviews for the post of West Ham Park Manager would take place on 21 October, the results of which will be reported to the Committee in November. He took the opportunity to thank the interim manager, who had come from within the North London Open Spaces division, for their support of the West Ham Park team over the past six weeks. The Superintendent also noted that one of the Roots and Shoots work placement candidates had been appointed as an apprentice in the Park on a two year fixed term contract, and that the candidate will also be attending Capel Manor College to train towards their Royal Horticultural Society level 2 qualification.

Works

The Superintendent reported that summer bedding was about to be removed, with installation of spring bedding over the next fortnight. Work had commenced using the third and final year of City Bridge Trust funding to replace hedges around the tennis courts with native mixed species, replacing of pockets of perimeter shrubbery and increasing the number of native tree species. The final 1700m squared of wildflower meadow was due to be sown, to include thousands of native poppy (Papaver rhoeas) that will flower next summer to commemorate the 100^th anniversary of the outbreak of the Great War. The inclusion of poppy is part of the Royal British Legion Real Poppy Campaign and sees similar sowings in City Gardens and across North London Open Spaces. The Superintendent concluded the works update by noting that spring bedding from the Park nursery were due to be despatched shortly, and that preparations had been made for two functions at the beginning of November.

Awards

The Superintendent reported that the

A report of the Director of Open Spaces (copy attached).

The Superintendent of West Ham Park introduced a report of the Director of Open Spaces detailing the progress of staff in meeting management plan objectives.

A Committee Member welcomed the involvement of the Tessa Sanderson Foundation Academy in providing tennis lessons in the Park. He queried the number of hours provided however, noting that it appeared to equate to only three hours a week. In reply the Superintendent noted that the figures were likely to only include paid sessions rather than the total number of sessions, which would include informal use of the courts. He undertook to investigate and report back. Members also noted that poor weather and the fact that many people were only likely to use the courts at the weekend as possible factors in explaining the number of hours recorded.

Finally, the Chairman welcomed the drop in crime and anti-social behaviour recorded within the Park and, on behalf of the Committee, noted the hard work and commitment of staff and volunteers in West Ham Park.

RECEIVED

A report of the Chamberlain (copy attached).

The Committee received a report of the Chamberlain on the West Ham Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2013.

RECEIVED

A report of the Director of Open Spaces (copy attached).

The Superintendent of West Ham Park introduced a report of the Director of Open Spaces regarding the Green Flag Awards 2013. He noted that there was no report for West Ham Park as the Green Flag judges had failed to turn up on the date that had been scheduled for inspection. Instead, the Park had been ‘mystery shopped’ by alternative judges at a later date. The Superintendent did note however that he had been given very positive feedback from the London in Bloom judges.

RESOLVED:

·         That the great success achieved by the City of London’s Open Spaces in the Green Flag and London in Bloom Awards be noted and reported to the Court of Common Council on 24 October 2013.

·         That the members of staff and volunteers across all of the Open Spaces be congratulated on their contribution to the Corporation’s success in the awards.

There were no questions.

Committee Meeting – June 2014

The Chairman noted that due to diary pressures it was necessary to amend the date of the June 2014 meeting from 9 June to 2 June at 1345hrs.

MOTION: that under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

RESOLVED: that under section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act as follows:

Item Number(s)                                             Paragraph in Schedule 12A

12-15                                                               3

To agree the non-public minutes and summary of the meeting dated 22 July 2013 (copy attached).

RESOLVED: that the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 22 July 2013 be approved as a correct record.

The Director of Open Spaces to be heard.

The Committee received a confidential report of the Chamberlain.

RECEIVED

There were no questions.

There was no other business.