Agenda and minutes

Apologies had been received from Deputy Robert Howard.

There were no declarations.

To receive the Order of the Court of Common Council from 1^st May 2014.

The Committee received the Order of the Court of Common Council.

To elect a Chairman in accordance in Standing Order 29.

The Committee proceeded to elect a Chairman in accordance with Standing Order 29. The Town Clerk read out a list of Member’s eligible to stand and Alderman Ian Luder, being the only Member to express his willingness to serve, was declared the duly elected Chairman of the Committee for the ensuing year.

To elect a Deputy Chairman in accordance in Standing Order 30.

The Committee proceeded to elect a Deputy Chairman in accordance with Standing Order 30. The Town Clerk read out a list of Member’s eligible to stand and Deputy Alex Deane, being the only Member to express his willingness to serve, was declared the duly elected Deputy Chairman of the Committee for the ensuing year.

Appointment of a Representative to the Streets and Walkways Sub Committee

Jeremy Simons being the only Member indicating his interest in standing for this position was appointed as the representative to the Streets and Walkways Sub Committee for the ensuing year.

To agree the public minutes of the previous meeting.

Resolved: The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as an accurate record.

Matters Arising:

St Olave’s Churchyard, Hart Street, EC3

The Director of Open Spaces informed the Committee that the Chairman and Deputy Chairman had signed off delegated authority for the City Solicitor to enter into an agreement with the Church authorities in order to carry out the improvement works on Church land.

Senator House Garden, EC4

The Director of Open Spaces informed the Committee that the Chairman and Deputy Chairman had signed off delegated authority to approve the terms of a transaction and the detailed re-landscaping proposals to undertake renovations to Senator House Garden at no cost to the City. Officers informed Members that a report would be submitted to the July Committee meeting on the potential to use £24,000 goodwill payment as seed funding for a City Gardens maintenance endowment fund.

Members noted that the landscaping around Fenchurch Street Plaza was now complete.

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

The Committee received the report of the Director of the Built Environment and noted the background and production of a draft City of London Open Space Strategy. Members noted ten key strategic objectives that addressed current and future open space provision and the proposed process for public provision and the timetable therein.

It was proposed that consultation took place over the summer, from June to

September 2014, with the aim of collating and incorporating comments and reporting back to the Open Spaces & City Gardens Committee and the Planning & Transportation Committee in October with a final draft for adoption.

Members discussed the possibility of better signage around the City pointing out green areas and roofs with public access. The Chairman of Planning and Transportation said this was an important part of the strategy and would he supported the suggestion.

Members noted that while some businesses were now able to provide green areas on top of their buildings this did not diminish the fact that there was still a large area of floor space being taken by the building. Therefore, being able to provide green roofs was not a substantial gain from a building, but simply a factor of the building. Members also noted that there was a difference between play areas and areas with the provision of soft equipment provided for children. Officers were asked to differentiate between the two in future reports. 

RESOLVED: That Members approved the draft text of the City of London Open Space Strategy Supplementary Planning Document for public consultation.

Report of the Remembrancer.

The Committee received the report of the Remembrancer which informed the Committee of a legislative change which would allow the Common Council to exercise new powers to tackle anti-social behaviour (including powers relating to the control of dogs) in the City Corporation’s open spaces.

The Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 created the Public

Spaces Protection Order, which could be used by local authorities to curtail

activities which have a detrimental effect on public spaces in their areas. As

a result of discussions with the Government, provision was included in the

Act to enable the Secretary of State to designate the Common Council and

other custodians of open spaces as bodies additionally entitled to make these

Orders.

Members noted that use of this provision would enable the Common Council to make Public Spaces Protection Orders in the open spaces outside the City. Infringements of the Orders will be criminal offences punishable by a fixed penalty notice of £100, or a fine of £1,000 on summary conviction. The Common Council’s power to make Dog Control Orders would cease after the changes come into effect, although existing Dog Control Orders would continue in force for a period of three years.

Report of the Director of the Built Environment

The Committee considered the report of the Director of the Built Environment. Members were informed that the aim of the project was to achieve complete transformational change in the Aldgate area through the removal of the existing gyratory system and the creation of new enlivened public spaces.

Members noted that CCTV equipment would be included in the design of the area and adequate coverage would be provided.

Members noted that the ‘Middle Specification Option’ would see the rill water channel and associated channel lighting removed from the water feature. Members noted that this option excluded some highly desirable features of the project. The Committee agreed that their preferred option of those proposed would be the ‘Full Specification Option’ which would deliver a total transformation of Aldgate and the creation of a new iconic public space.

RESOLVED: That the Open Spaces and City Gardens Committee confirmed that it was only able to accept ongoing responsibility for this project subject to the following:

·       That the revenue implications for the initial five years following construction be met through S106;

·       That the future revenue budget increases for the following 15 years should be funded by draw down against future CIL; and

·       That authority be given to the Director of the Department of the Built Environment to seek additional sources of funding for the project, including further Transport for London funding and utilise this funding provided this has no negative impact on the City Corporation resources.

The Superintendent of Parks and Gardens to be heard.

The Committee received the following update from the Superintendent:

Finance

The City Garden budget was in line with agreed budget profiles.

Awards

At the 2014 LEAF Tree and Woodland Awards hosted by the Mayor of London at City Hall, the City in partnership with Trees for Cities was awarded the Creative Award for ‘Blue Trees’  a temporary art project that took place in Festival Gardens last summer. ‘The Creative Award recognises and celebrates the most innovative and creative piece of work that evokes the value and beauty of trees in London.’ A short film, produced by the City’s media department, explaining the project and promoting City Gardens was shown to the audience.

Gardens

The annual summer bedding was due to be planted over the coming weeks, nectar rich species have been selected where possible.

City, London and Britain in Bloom Campaign

The City’s in Bloom campaign was underway. The Friends had recruited twelve volunteers to judge entries for the City wide campaign. Details of how to enter or nominate a garden, project, window box etc. could be found on the City Gardens pages on the website.

Volunteering

On the 22nd May, a group of ten volunteers from an international IT company based in the City paid for and planted 500 wildflower plugs and shrub plants at Bunhill Fields.

Roof Top Survey - 26 volunteers including three ecologists and the Director of the London Wildlife Trust took part in roof top bird surveys across seven buildings during April and May. 25 different species of birds were seen including breeding Black Redstarts and Peregrine Falcons. A report for publication was being prepared by the Friends to promote the value of green roofs for wildlife.

Open Squares Weekend 14/15 June – a plant stall, teas and coffees would be served by the Church

Report of the Director of Community and  Children’s Services/Director of Open Spaces

The Committee were informed of the proposal of implementing voluntary no smoking codes within children’s playgrounds, for a trial period of six months, in four identified areas in the City:

·       Middlesex Street estate

·       Tower Hill Gardens

·       Portsoken Street

·       West Smithfield Rotunda Garden

Officers informed Members that the key aim of smokefree children’s playgrounds was to deter children and young people from smoking. In response to a query, Members noted that the objectives included to:

·       Reduce child exposure to smoking and help to decrease the number of young people starting to smoke.

·       Decrease cigarette litter such as cigarette ends, empty packets and wrappers to playgrounds more pleasant and to protect wildlife.

·       Reduce the risk of children putting toxic cigarettes ends into their mouths

·       A consultation exercise has been carried out with the public and Friends of City

·       Gardens, which evidenced support for this initiative.

In response to a query regarding enforcement, Members were informed that this was a voluntary scheme, but the success would be measured through visits to the areas at the start, middle and end of the trial.

Members noted that the proposal was for a six month trial, after which the results would be reported back to the Committee. Members also noted that this was a voluntary scheme and the signs to be placed at playgrounds should not be misleading about the City’s powers relating to this scheme. Members also noted that there were now a range of places where people were either not allowed to smoke or encouraged not to smoke; therefore the City Corporation should act responsibly sympathetic. It was also noted that there were now a number of smoking cessation groups available within the City.

A Member raised concerns regarding the six month trial. He noted that the displacement of smokers firstly out of indoor

A Members informed the Committee of the Grow London Event taking place in the East Heath Car Park on 19^th to 22^nd June. Members also noted that a visit to the City Gardens would take place on 21^st July 2014 following the Committee meeting.

The Director of Open Spaces informed Members that a visit to the Olympic Park had been arranged for 3^rd October 2014, with the coach departing Guildhall at 09:30, and then leaving the Olympic Park at midday to return to Guildhall. Members who wished to travel by coach were advised to inform the Town Clerk.

MOTION: That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

MOTION: That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

To agree the non-public minutes of the previous meeting.

Resolved: That the minutes of the previous meeting be agreed as an accurate record.

There were no questions.

There was no urgent business.