Agenda item

The Superintendent of West Ham Park & City Gardens to be heard.

The Committee received a verbal update from the Superintendent of West Ham Park.  The following points were made –

Finance – in advance of the final out-turn, the end of the 2012/13 FY looks healthy - West Ham Park £11k planned underspend which we would seek to carry forward for planned projects in 2013/14, subject to the appropriate approvals. The Nursery shows an over-achievement of income in the sum of £13k.

Staff – at the end of last month we appointed a temporary nursery gardener post – fixed term to the end of November.

Works update – the team has replaced approximately one third of the hedge around the tennis courts with Pinus spp.  Refurbishment of three of the tennis courts has begun; this is funded by a grant from the London Marathon Trust secured by Tessa Sanderson Foundation and Academy. In the Nursery we are busy growing summer bedding for The Royal Parks. Including bedding for the City and other OS, we are growing over 350 species with many more varieties, totalling over 200,000 plants.  Following a Members question, the Superintendent confirmed he would contact Newham to identify any plant selling opportunity.

Visits  - The Committee lunch will be separated from the visit this year. Lunch is scheduled on 17 May at Barber Surgeon’s Hall – invitations have been sent electronically.  Members were reminded to check that they had received an invitation. The visit will take place Thursday 5^th September and the Lady Mayoress will attend, further details will be provided nearer the time.

Events – Yesterday saw the Newham 10K run and half marathon start and finish in the park. Over 3000 runners took part in total. A number of well-known international runners took part as this is seen as a ‘warm-up’ and timing event for full marathons during the summer. Although those attending would not particularly have experienced any problems, a number of issues occurred on the day. Although our staff undertook their duties professionally and efficiently, this did not appear to be the case with the event organisers. The Superintendent I will be discussing this at a wash-up meeting soon and will seek to tighten arrangements next year,  through a formal event license.

On 27^th April a “heroes and heroines” day has been organised by the Friends of West Ham Park, including a hired story teller for children and craft time (instrument making from recycled materials).

This week 3 primary schools will be sowing wild flower meadows around Park Cottage and in the jubilee food garden, as part of our CBT – (City Bridge Trust) funded improvements to biodiversity.