Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Anne Fairweather and Alderman Ian Luder whom it was noted would be late.

There were no declarations recived.

To receive the Order of the Court of Common Council dated 16 July 2020 appointing the Committee and setting its Terms of Reference.

The Committee received the Order of the Court of Common Council dated 16 July 2020 for the Open Spaces and City Gardens Committee.

RESOLVED- That the Court of Common Council be noted.

The Committee are invited to elect a Chairman in accordance with Standing Order 29.

The Committee proceeded to elect a Chairman in accordance with Standing Order No. 29. The Town Clerk informed the Committee that Oliver Sells as the only Member expressing their willingness to serve was therefore duly elected Chairman for the ensuing year and took the Chair. The Chairman thanked the Committee for their continued support and commented that he wanted to return to meeting in person when possible.

RESOLVED – That Oliver Sells be elected Chairman of the Open Spaces and City Gardens Committee for the ensuing year.

The Committee are invited to elect a Deputy Chairman in accordance with Standing Order 30.

The Committee proceeded to elect a Deputy Chairman in accordance with Standing Order No. 30. The Town Clerk informed the Committee that Caroline Haines as the only Member expressing their willingness to serve was therefore duly elected Deputy Chairman for the ensuing year. The Deputy Chairman thanked the Committee for their support.

RESOLVED – That Caroline Haines be elected Deputy Chairman of the Open Spaces and City Gardens Committee for the ensuing year.

To agree the public minutes and non-public summary of the previous meeting of the Open Spaces & City Gardens Committee held on the 16^th of July 2020.

The Committee considered the public minutes of the Open Spaces and City Gardens Committee meeting held on the 16^th of July 2020.

RESOLVED- That the public minutes of the Open Spaces and City Gardens Committee meeting held on the 16^th of July 2020 be approved as an accurate record.

The Committee are invited to appoint one Member as an Open Spaces and City Gardens Committee representative on the Streets and Walkways Sub Committee. The next Streets and Walkways Sub Committee meeting is scheduled to take place on15th of October.

The Committee considered the appointment of one Member as an Open Spaces and City Gardens Committee representative on the Streets and Walkways Sub Committee. The Town Clerk informed that, Barbara Newman being the only Member expressing a willingness to stand, was therefore appointed as the representative.

RESOLVED- That Barbara Newman be appointed as the Open Spaces and City Gardens Committee representative on the Streets and Walkways Sub Committee.

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

The Committee received a report of the Director of Open Spaces which provided an update to Members on the management and operational activities across the City Gardens section since July 2020. The Director of Open Spaces highlighted that the COVID streets programme had now commenced and the successful retention of the London in Bloom Gold award.

Following a question from a Member the Director of Open Spaces confirmed that Bunhill Fields was no longer on the English Heritage at-risk register. 

The Chairman commented that the City of London Corporation was beginning to understand that open spaces and streets are deeply interchangeable, with more greening of public spaces of different types, through the use of planters. A Member commented that he agreed with this approach and noted particular thanks to City of London Gardener Nic Guerra for his work at the Rescue Nursery at All Hallows by the Tower. The Chairman noted the increased need to recognise those working outside at the City of London Corporation’s offsite locations.

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

There were no questions received in the public session.

There was no urgent business considered in the public session.

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 of the Open Spaces & City Gardens Committee held on the 16th of July 2020.

The Committee considered the non-public minutes of the Open Spaces and City Gardens Committee meeting held on the 16^th of July 2020.

RESOLVED- That the non-public minutes of the Open Spaces and City Gardens Committee meeting held on the 16^th of July 2020 be approved as an accurate record.

Report of the City Surveyor.

The Committee considered a report of the City Surveyor on the Finsbury Circus Garden Reinstatement.

RESOLVED- That the report be agreed.

Report of the Chamberlain.

The Committee received a joint report the Chamberlain and the Director of Open Spaces on Debt Arrears Invoiced Income for the Period Ending 31 March 2020.

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

The Committee considered one question in the non-public session.

There was no further business considered in the non-public session.