Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Justin Meath-Baker.  

Wendy Mead declared a standing interest as a member of The City Bridge Trust Committee.

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 25 November 2013.

RESOLVED – that the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 25 November 2013 be approved as a correct record, subject to Councillor Joy Laguda being correctly listed as having an MBE.

Matters Arising

West Ham Park Newsletter

In response to a request from a Member, the Town Clerk committed to providing hardcopies of the West Ham Park e-newsletter as and when each edition was published.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Chairman introduced a report of the Town Clerk. Committee members had no comments to make on the report or the appended Scheme of Delegations.

RESOLVED – that

·         Subject to the approval of the Policy and Resources Committee of the overall Scheme of Delegation, the delegations relating to the Director of Open Spaces as set out in the appendix to the report be approved;

·         The proposed amendment to Standing Orders relating to the declaration of operational property assets which are surplus to requirements, be noted.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Chairman introduced a report of the Town Clerk regarding the Annual Schedule of Visits 2014. In response to a query from the Chairman, the Superintendent of West Ham Park confirmed that it was expected that the full Mayoral Party would be involved in the Mayoral Visit on Friday 6 June 2014.

RESOLVED – that

·         Members agree the Current Position and Proposals set out within the report;

·         Members agree the Schedule of Visits 2014 as set out in the appendix.

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

The Superintendent of West Ham Park introduced a report of the Director of Open Spaces on Sports Charges 2014/15.

In response to a query from a member over why there were two separate prices for Cricket, the Superintendent replied that this was due to one price being concessionary, and that the price list would be amended to reflect that.

RESOLVED –

·         That members approve the proposed schedule of charges for sports facilities in West Ham Park for the financial year 2014/15.

The Chairman noted that the customary Superintendent’s Update had been omitted from the agenda in error and therefore invited the Superintendent to provide his update as Agenda Item 6a. The Superintendent updated the Committee on the following issues:

Inclement Weather 14-15 February 2014

The recent storm had caused the loss of a eucalyptus tree within the Park. Consideration would be given to an appropriate replacement.

Budget

The West Ham Park budget remained in-line with existing targets. Nevertheless the Nursery was underachieving financially, largely due to a reduction in orders from existing clients and lack of demand arising from the fewer number of events at Guildhall.

Staff

Following interviews conducted on 10 December 2013, a successful candidate had been appointed to the post of West Ham Park Manager and was due to start on 26 February 2014. The successful candidate was joining the City of London Corporation from the London Borough of Southwark. In the meantime an interim manager seconded from the North London Open Spaces Division continued to provide managerial support in West Ham Park.

Works Update

West Ham Park tree stock was being surveyed under the contract between the City of London and the London Borough of Islington and the details arising thereof uploaded onto Arbortrak software for the first time.

Events

The Friends of West Ham Park had staged the Park in the Dark event on 5 December 2013 at which 70 persons had attended. 20 families had attended a Birdwatching tour of the Park on 18 January 2014. A stargazing event was scheduled for 27 February 2014 and was fully-booked. It was expected that the event feature in an upcoming issue of the Newham Recorder.

The Superintendent went on to note that the planned Tessa Sanderson Foundation & Academy (TSFA) 10k run and half-marathon had been cancelled and

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

The Superintendent of West Ham Park introduced a report of the Director of Open Spaces on the procurement of a tree maintenance works. He noted that the new contract simplified the processes involved and provided considerable efficiency savings.

In response to a question from a member, the Superintendent confirmed that the rates included over the four years of the contract would be subject to a small uplift.

In response to concerns expressed by a member that works carried out by the arboricultural contractor may not be sensitive to the aesthetics of the Park, the Superintendent confirmed that the contractor would only be carrying out works to a specification set by the City of London.

In response to a question from a member – prompted by the loss of the eucalyptus tree – over whether low rootage of trees presented an issue within the Park, the Superintendent confirmed that eucalyptus tree were particularly susceptible to inclement weather due to their low roots and the fact that they retained a full canopy over winter. Nevertheless he expressed confidence that low rootage was not a problem amongst wider West Ham Park tree stock.  

RECEIVED

Appreciation to Richard Gentry

The Committee placed on record its thanks to Richard Gentry for his hardwork as part-time interim manager at West Ham Park. The Committee noted that he had performed the role in addition to his full-time duties as Queen’s Park Manager and Superintendent of the Hampstead Heath Constabulary.

Ms Stella Currie

The Committee noted with regret the passing of the late Ms Stella Currie, and placed on record its thanks for her contribution to the City of London’s Open Spaces as past Chairman of the Open Spaces, City Gardens and West Ham Park Committee.

There was no other business.

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

Item(s)                        Paragraph in Schedule 12A

11-14                           3

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 25 November 2013.

RESOLVED – that the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 25 November 2013 be approved as a correct record.

Matters Arising

There were no matters arising.

To discuss the West Ham Park Nursery Surplus Account.

The Committee discussed the issue of the West Ham Park Nursery Surplus Account.

There were no questions.

There was no other business.