Agenda item

A report of the Chamberlain and the Director of Open Spaces (copy attached).

The Group Accountant introduced the Revenue Outturn 2012/13 Report for Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park, noting the underspend in the Additional Works Programme (AWP) and the worse-than-budgeted position of £39,000. She acknowledged concerns voiced by Members over the lack of detail around the AWP underspend and confirmed that Open Spaces, Chamberlain’s and City Surveyor’s staff would be working together to produce additional detail in future outturn reports.

The Superintendent similarly acknowledged the underspend in the AWP and noted that his team enjoyed a good working relationship with the City Surveyor’s Project Team. He stated that the underspend was partly the result of internal staff restructuring and the fact that some projects were delayed because of requirements to assist his Division with projects including the RSPB and east Heath car park works and others were subject to public consultation, thus delaying the allocation of APW funds.

The Committee thanked the officers present from the City Surveyor’s and Chamberlain’s Departments for the provision of additional information on the AWP subsequent to the publication of the Committee report, and noted that the new format for future outturn reports would be agreed in due course.

RECEIVED