Agenda and minutes

Apologies had been received from Graeme Smith and Catherine Bickmore.

There were no declarations.

To agree the minutes of the previous meeting.

Rseolved: That the minutes of the previous meeting be agreed as an accurate record.

Verbal update.

Members received the following update from the Superintendent:

Budget – spending in line with budget profile for the first half of the year, except at the Nursery under floral income code. It was unlikely that the nursery would meet its target in this area unless a further state function or similar takes place before the end of the financial year.  Under the terms of the contract with The Royal Parks, an uplift of 2.8% had been applied to the price of bedding plants from this summer, meaning that the current deliveries will be at the new contract prices. The Nursery had just undergone an internal audit looking at procurement and invoicing, with a very positive outcome.

Staff – the part-time services support officer providing financial support for the team had resigned. The response to the recruitment process had been positive with 44 applications received, from which 7 had been shortlisted for interview. Following a final probationary period meeting last week, unfortunately we were not able to confirm the permanent appointment of the Park Manager. The Superintendent was currently seeking some temporary support for this post, whilst undertaking the recruitment process, subject to any appeal.

Works update – spring bedding plants were being delivered across London and were being planted in the ornamental gardens at West Ham. A survey of the trees in the park had been completed by Tree Officers from LB Islington under the framework agreement, and all works had been stored on our Arbortrack database. The price of proposed works is, as anticipated, quite high this first inspection, but works had been prioritised into urgent and non-urgent and we are spreading them over 2 financial years. Going forward, work would be substantially cheaper in future years.

Community & Events

The Gardening club had continued in the Jubilee Food Garden

Report of the Chamberlain.

Members noted that the Trustee’s Annual Report and Financial Statements were presented for information.

There were no questions.

There was no urgent business.

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.

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.

Verbal update by Officers from the City Surveyor’s Department.

The Committee considered the joint report of the City Surveyor and the Director of Open Spaces.

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

The Committee received the report of the Director of Open Spaces.

There were no questions.

There was no urgent business.