Agenda and minutes

Apologies had been received from Deputy Robert Howard.

There were no declarations of interest.

To agree the minutes of the previous meeting.

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as an accurate record.

To receive the Order of the Court of Common Council of 1^st May 2014

The Order of the Court of Common Council was received by the Committee.

To elect a Chairman in accordance in Standing Order 29.

The Committee proceeded to elect a Chairman in accordance with Standing Order 29. The Town Clerk read out a list of Member’s eligible to stand and Alderman Ian Luder, being the only Member to express his willingness to serve, was declared the duly elected Chairman of the Committee for the ensuing year.

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

The Committee proceeded to elect a Deputy Chairman in accordance with Standing Order 30. The Town Clerk read out a list of Member’s eligible to stand and Deputy Alex Deane, being the only Member to express his willingness to serve, was declared the duly elected Deputy Chairman of the Committee for the ensuing year.

The Superintendent is to be heard.

The Committee received the following update from the Superintendent:

Budget – spending was in line with the budget profile across all areas for this time of year. The Nursery reserve fund had been adjusted to take account of last financial year’s budget deficit.

Staff – The West Ham Park Manager returned to work last Friday as part of a phased return. A small number of temporary staff were working in the gardens and nursery to help support the teams at this busy time of year, but these have been accounted for within budget.

Grounds maintenance – Final preparations were taking place for the Lord Mayor’s visit on Friday. Some of the larger, structural planting was in place for the winter stem garden but this would not be complete until phase 2 of planting this coming winter. The gardening team were also busy planting out the seasonal bedding within the ornamental gardens.

The nursery team were focussed entirely on providing bedding to all clients in a timely manner. A senior manager from The Royal Parks visited in May to check the quality of the product prior to dispatch. This was a very positive meeting.

Community & Events

The Gardening club resumed for the summer and launched with a public planting day at the beginning May which was reported in the Newham Recorder. These sessions would now continue in the Jubilee Food Garden throughout the summer. A volunteer day took place in May with twenty-two 6^th formers from a local school carrying out maintenance to the meadow areas.

ActiveNewham had organised a series of healthy activities to take place daily over the next 2 months, as part of the Park Lives initiative sponsored by a large drinks manufacturer.

Green Flag judges’ visit was scheduled for next Wednesday 11 June, and London in

There were no questions.

There was no urgent 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 Act.

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.

Report of the City Surveyor.

Members received the report of the Director of Open Spaces.

There were no questions.

There was no urgent business.