Agenda item

The Chairman noted that the customary Superintendent’s Update had been omitted from the agenda in error and therefore invited the Superintendent to provide his update as Agenda Item 6a. The Superintendent updated the Committee on the following issues:

Inclement Weather 14-15 February 2014

The recent storm had caused the loss of a eucalyptus tree within the Park. Consideration would be given to an appropriate replacement.

Budget

The West Ham Park budget remained in-line with existing targets. Nevertheless the Nursery was underachieving financially, largely due to a reduction in orders from existing clients and lack of demand arising from the fewer number of events at Guildhall.

Staff

Following interviews conducted on 10 December 2013, a successful candidate had been appointed to the post of West Ham Park Manager and was due to start on 26 February 2014. The successful candidate was joining the City of London Corporation from the London Borough of Southwark. In the meantime an interim manager seconded from the North London Open Spaces Division continued to provide managerial support in West Ham Park.

Works Update

West Ham Park tree stock was being surveyed under the contract between the City of London and the London Borough of Islington and the details arising thereof uploaded onto Arbortrak software for the first time.

Events

The Friends of West Ham Park had staged the Park in the Dark event on 5 December 2013 at which 70 persons had attended. 20 families had attended a Birdwatching tour of the Park on 18 January 2014. A stargazing event was scheduled for 27 February 2014 and was fully-booked. It was expected that the event feature in an upcoming issue of the Newham Recorder.

The Superintendent went on to note that the planned Tessa Sanderson Foundation & Academy (TSFA) 10k run and half-marathon had been cancelled and that TSFA planned to instead hold a June fun-day involving sports within the Park.

Asset Maintenance

Works continued to be carried out on assets within the Park as part of the City Surveyor’s planned maintenance programme, including playground office roof and the public lavatories.

In response to a question from a member regarding the cancellation of the TSFA 10k and half-marathon, the Superintendent replied that this was due to the TSFA being unable to negotiate the necessary road closures around the Park.

In response to a question from a member over when the interim manager seconded from North London Open Spaces would finish, the Superintendent replied that it was likely they would remain in the Park for a short handover with the incoming West Ham Park Manager. Therefore it was expected that the interim manager would return to their full-time role in North London Open Spaces around mid-March. The Superintendent placed on record his thanks to the interim manager for his support and professionalism over the past few months.