Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies had been received from Deputy Alex Deane, Deputy Robert Howard, Barbara Newman, Jeremy Simons and Richard Gurney.  

There were no declarations.

To agree the minutes of the previous meeting.

Resolved – that the minutes from the previous meeting be agreed as an accurate record.

Matters arising:

Review of Lodge Allocation at West Ham Park:

The Town Clerk was asked to revise the minutes under Item 12 Review of Lodge Allocation at West Ham Park.

Oak Processionary Moth:

The Director of Open Spaces gave a verbal update on the spread of OPM. Members expressed their concerns over the spread of the disease.

Various Powers Bills Update

Members noted that the Various Powers Bill had been received by the open spaces parent Committees and agreed by the Court of Common Council. The Bill would be deposited to Parliament on 27^th November 2015.

Report of the Superintendent of West Ham Park.

The Committee received a report of the Superintendent of Parks and Gardens regarding an update on management and operational activities at West Ham Park since July 2015.

Received.

Report of the Chamberlain.

The committee received a report of the Chamberlain regarding the Trustee’s Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2015 for West Ham Park.

Received.

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

The Committee received a report of the Director of Open Spaces regarding the learning framework which would be used to deliver learning outcomes across the open spaces. The delivery of this programme would require a new operating model involving some realignment of staff roles and responsibilities at some open spaces; however the full extent of these changes would depend on the result of a funding application to the City Bridge Trust and other funding arrangements.

Members were informed that all learning activity is to be re-focused with each site being given the opportunity to house the Learning Programme. In response to a query, Members were assured that the Programme covered all learning across Open Spaces including interaction with local schools around West Ham Park.

Officers informed Members that in order to achieve the change in delivery of learning activities learning would be coordinated as a single programme which would focus on delivering to deprived communities close to our open spaces, through involvement of volunteers and partners.

Received.

A Member raised a question regarding rough sleeping in the park. Whilst this did occur sometimes, the Superintendent informed the Committee that this was an issue faced by most urban areas but was not a substantial problem in the park.

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.

MOTION – It was agreed 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.

Private minutes to be circulated to Members seperately.

Resolved – that the minutes of the previous meeting be agreed as an accurate record.

Report of the Director of Open Spaces to be circulated to Members separately.

The Committee received a report of the Director of Open Spaces regarding an update to the Service Based Review.

Received.