Agenda item

To receive a report of the Director of Open Spaces

The Board received the report of the Director of Open Spaces, informing Members that the Benefits for London’ had been published by the City of London Economic Development Office and Public Relations Office. The report found compelling evidence that a range of benefits were delivered by green spaces. Members were informed that the Open Spaces department was undertaking a range of activities to maximise the benefits to Londoners of the green spaces.

Officers informed Members that surveys of visitors had been carried out at each site to increase understanding of who accesses the sites and for what purpose. From this work communities who did not access the sites had been identified and initiatives designed to encourage access.  Recently the department had launched a social media strategy, promoting sites using social networking, including twitter accounts. This had aimed to reach groups of Londoners such as younger people and transient populations who did not visit open spaces as much as other groupings.

Officers informed Members that there were 200 small green spaces in the City which could be mapped to highlight areas that City residents and workers could enjoy. Officers also agreed to circulate the ‘air quality’ and ‘quiet zones’ reports which were considered by the Port Health and Environmental Services Committee in 2011.

Officers also agreed to investigate the possibility of commissioning a research project of PhD level to ascertain the difference green spaces make to stress and wellbeing, which the Director of Open Spaces would progress.

Members were concerned that the Board should be consulted on the Local Plan. The Plan would be out for consultation from mid-December to mid-February, and so would be added it to the agenda for the January Board meeting.