Agenda item

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

Members noted an update from the Superintendent of West Ham Park and noted that the budget for West Ham Park is currently in line with anticipated expenditure

for this time of year. The gardening team saw one of its gardeners leave in

August, this place is currently being filled by a temporary position. A further

temporary member of staff has also been assisting with duties over the busy

summer months. Five individuals were interviewed for an apprentice position

at West Ham Park, the successful candidate has been offered the post and

subject to references will start work with the team and join Capel Manor

College in October.

In response to a query regarding the Wildlife Garden it was noted that the use of the wildlife garden at the rear of East Lodge has recently been reviewed. The garden is not big enough to accommodate a whole class of children and the pond is in need of renovation due to the liner being punctured. A future report will be brought to Committee regarding the extension of the garden as this would increase the area of land that is enclosed and therefore would have restricted public use.

In regards to property matters, Members noted the following:

·       Nursery update: Tenders have been received for the appointment of a

consultant to progress the nursery project. These are currently being reviewed

by the Park Manager, City Surveyor and Project Manager.

·       Upton Lane Lodges: 240 and 242 Upton Lane properties came to the end of

the first year of being externally leased in September. Both of the original

tenants are still resident in the properties. Strutt and Parker have completed

an inspection of the properties to ensure that expected standards are being

maintained and both properties are being well looked after.

·       Park Cottage: the completion of the refurbishment works at Park Cottage has

been delayed due to a problem with one of the windows, but it is anticipated

that this should be completed by early October.

·       Mobile food concessions: The wet August weather resulted in low numbers of

park visitors and consequentially sales at the ‘Snack Shack’ were not as high

as anticipated, however, a very warm bank holiday weekend helped to

compensate for this. Snack Shack are continuing to trade on site at weekends

until the end of September and then will remove their trailer.