Agenda item

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

The Superintendent of West Ham Park introduced a report of the Director of Open Spaces on the procurement of a tree maintenance works. He noted that the new contract simplified the processes involved and provided considerable efficiency savings.

In response to a question from a member, the Superintendent confirmed that the rates included over the four years of the contract would be subject to a small uplift.

In response to concerns expressed by a member that works carried out by the arboricultural contractor may not be sensitive to the aesthetics of the Park, the Superintendent confirmed that the contractor would only be carrying out works to a specification set by the City of London.

In response to a question from a member – prompted by the loss of the eucalyptus tree – over whether low rootage of trees presented an issue within the Park, the Superintendent confirmed that eucalyptus tree were particularly susceptible to inclement weather due to their low roots and the fact that they retained a full canopy over winter. Nevertheless he expressed confidence that low rootage was not a problem amongst wider West Ham Park tree stock.  

RECEIVED