Agenda and minutes

Venue: Virtual Public Meeting (Accessible Remotely)

Contact: Richard Holt  Email: Richard.Holt@cityoflondon.gov.uk / 020 7332 3113

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

Minutes:

Apologies were received from Karina Dostalova.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.

2.

Members' Declarations Under the Code of Conduct in Respect of Items on the Agenda

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest received.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

3.

ORDER OF THE COURT OF COMMON COUNCIL pdf icon PDF 98 KB

To receive the Order of the Court of Common Council dated 15 April 2021 appointing the Committee and setting its Terms of Reference.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 3.

Minutes:

The Committee received the Order of the Court of Common Council dated 15 April 2021 for the Open Spaces and City Gardens Committee.

 

RESOLVED- That the Order of the Court of Common Council Open Spaces and City Gardens Committee be noted.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

4.

ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

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

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 4.

Minutes:

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 as Chairman for the ensuing year and took the Chair.

 

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

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

5.

ELECTION OF DEPUTY CHAIRMAN

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

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 5.

Minutes:

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.

 

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

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 110 KB

To agree the public minutes and non-public summary of the previous meeting of the Open Spaces and City Gardens Committee held on the 12th of February 2021.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 6.

Minutes:

The Committee considered the public minutes and non-public summary of the previous meeting of the Open Spaces and City Gardens Committee held on the 12th of February 2021.

 

RESOLVED- That the considered the public minutes of the previous meeting of the Open Spaces and City Gardens Committee held on the 12th of February 2021 be approved as an accurate record.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

7.

APPOINTMENT OF A REPRESENTATIVE TO THE STREETS AND WALKWAYS SUB COMMITTEE

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 On 29th of April 2021.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 7.

Minutes:

The Committee considered the appointment of one Member of the Committee as the Open Spaces and City Gardens Committee representative on the Streets and Walkways Sub Committee. The Town Clerk informed that Barbara Newman and Alderman Ian Luder had expressed an interest in standing for this position. It was agreed that Barbara Newman be appointed to the Streets and Walkways Sub-Committee as the Open Spaces and City Gardens Committee representative, but it was suggested that a second representative would be a helpful addition. The Town Clerk informed that this would need to be agreed by the Streets and Walkways Sub-Committee and, following this, the Planning and Transportation Committee as the responsible grand committee.

 

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

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

8.

Open Spaces coverage 2021 pdf icon PDF 188 KB

Report of the Town Clerk.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 8.

Minutes:

The Committee received a report of the Town Clerk on the Open Spaces media coverage summary.

 

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

9.

Biodiversity Action Plan Update pdf icon PDF 185 KB

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 9.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Open Spaces on the Biodiversity Action Plan Update. The Director of Open Spaces introduced the report and highlighted the progress made on the project.

 

A Member commented on the requirement to advertise the opportunity to comment as widely as possible.

 

RESOLVED- That the draft plan be made available for public consultation.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

10.

Bunhill Fields Heritage Lottery Fund project pdf icon PDF 105 KB

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 10.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Open Spaces on the Bunhill Fields Heritage Lottery Fund project. The Director of Open Spaces introduced the report and noted the reasons why the project had lost funding.

 

Following a query from a Member of the Committee the Director of Open Spaces confirmed that all required safety works at Bunhill Fields were managed by the City of London Corporation’s City Surveyor’s Department and were being completed as required. In addition to this it was confirmed a contract to repair headstones and paving at the site had been agreed.

 

A Member commented that it was unfortunate that the project was not currently funded as the site was of significant historic importance and hoped that alternative funding opportunities for funding will be explored.

 

RESOLVED- That: -

  1. The content of this outcome report be approved; and
  2. The project be closed.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

11.

G4: City Cluster Area - Wellbeing and Climate Change resilience programme implementation (2021-2024) pdf icon PDF 394 KB

Report of the Director of the Built Environment.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 11.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment on the City Cluster Area Wellbeing and Climate Change resilience programme implementation 2021-2024. The Chairman commended the project and commented that this was the kind of project that needed to be undertaken in this area.

 

In response to a query from a Member of the Committee the Director of the Built Environment explained that the lack of bike access lanes on the stairs at St Andrews churchyard was because the use of bikes in this area was not actively encouraged. The Member responded that it was important to understand that bike usage was increasing across the City of London and, therefore, bike usage at this site should be considered.

 

RESOLVED- That: -

  1. The estimated implementation budget is a minimum of £1.447m based on current estimates for the projects outlined in the report be noted; and
  2. That the estimated implementation budget will be further increased by external sponsorship with the exact amount to be confirmed at Gateway 5 be noted; and
  3. That the 7 projects listed in the Options Appraisal table be approved to be taken forward to Gateway 5, at which point individual project reports will be submitted for approval, in line with the project procedure; and
  4. That £90,000 from the Pinnacle and Mitre Square Section 106 agreements be approved for the programme budget to continue the development of the 7 projects to Gateway; and
  5. That it be noted that further projects listed in Appendix 1, may be developed in future years, subject to funding being confirmed; and
  6. That it be approved within the overall programme budget, funds can be moved between the 7 individual projects and between staff costs, fees and works to maintain pace of delivery and maximum efficiency of the process.

 

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

12.

City Cluster Area - programme update pdf icon PDF 283 KB

Report of the Director of the Built Environment.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 12.

Minutes:

The Committee received a report of the Director of Open Spaces regarding the City Cluster Area programme update.

 

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

13.

G3/4: City Cluster Area - Activation and Engagement programme pdf icon PDF 276 KB

Report of the Director of the Built Environment.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 13.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee received a report of the Director of Open Spaces on the City Cluster Area Activation and Engagement programme.

 

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

14.

King George’s Field Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2020 pdf icon PDF 112 KB

Joint report of the Director of Open Spaces and Chamberlain.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 14.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee received a joint report of the Chamberlain and the Director of Open Spaces on the King George’s Field Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2020.

 

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

15.

Climate Action Strategy - Open Spaces "Carbon Removals" pdf icon PDF 168 KB

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 15.

Minutes:

The Committee received a report of the Director of Open Spaces on the Climate Action Strategy Open Spaces “Carbon Removals”.

 

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

16.

Climate Action Strategy - Cool Streets and Greening Programme pdf icon PDF 922 KB

Report of the Director of Built Environment.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 16.

Minutes:

The Committee received a report of the Director of Open Spaces on the Climate Action Strategy Cool Streets and Greening Programme. The Chairman commented on the report by noting the importance of the greening the City of London’s Streets to improve the experience of those using them.

 

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

17.

Award of Funding 2020-21: Enjoying Green Spaces and the Natural Environment pdf icon PDF 138 KB

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 17.

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Open Spaces on the Award of Funding 2020-21, Enjoying Green Spaces and the Natural Environment.

 

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

18.

City Gardens Manager’s Update pdf icon PDF 233 KB

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 18.

Minutes:

The Committee received a report of the Director of Open Spaces on the City Gardens Manager update. The report provided an update to Members of the Open Spaces & City Gardens Committee on management and operational activities across the City Gardens section since February 2021.

 

The Committee discussed the Finsbury Circus reopening and the variety of events which were scheduled to be held. Members noted that it was important to utilise the space for suitable events but agreed that no event should limit the use of the space for any other users. The Director of Open Spaces informed the Committee that an upcoming report on events to be held in the City Gardens would consider this, noting the legal factors involved, to ensure that a suitable balance is targeted. 

 

Responding to Member’s query the Director of Open Spaces confirmed that the Member had been written to following the same query at the previous meeting, and that a report on the future plans for the road between Finsbury Circus and Moorgate Station was being prepared by the City Public Realm team and was due to be presented to the Streets & Walkways Sub-Committee for consideration. It was noted by a Member that they were determined that this matter be resolved promptly and would present a motion to the Court of Common Council in May if sufficient progress had not been made. The Chairman agreed noting that this was an example of an overly bureaucratic approach limiting progress unnecessarily.

 

The Chairman added that he wished to see more outside gymnasium equipment installed at appropriate open spaces.

 

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

19.

Greening Cheapside: Sunken Garden (Phase 1B & Phase 2) pdf icon PDF 214 KB

Report of the Director of the Built Environment.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 19.

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Director of the Bulit Environment on the Greening Cheapside Suken Garden (Phase 1B & Phase 2).

 

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

20.

Questions on Matters Relating to the Work of the Committee

Minutes:

There were no questions recived in the public session.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

21.

Any Other Business That the Chairman Considers Urgent and Which the Committee Agree Should Be Considered

Minutes:

There was no urgent business considred in the public session.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

22.

Exclusion of the Public

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.

 

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 22.

Minutes:

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.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

23.

Non-Public Minutes

To agree the non-public minutes of the previous meeting of the Open Spaces & City Gardens Committee held on the 12th of February 2021.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 23.

Minutes:

The Committee considered the non-public minutes of the Open Spaces and City Gardens Committee meeting held on the 12th of February 2021.

 

RESOLVED- That the non-public minutes of the Open Spaces and City Gardens Committee meeting held on the 12th of February 2021 be approved as an accurate record.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

24.

Report of Action Taken Between Meetings

Report of the Town Clerk.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 24.

Minutes:

The Committee received a report of the Town Clerk on the action taken under delegated authority.

 

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

25.

Questions on Matters Relating to the Work of the Committee

Minutes:

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

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.

26.

Any Other Business That the Chairman Considers Urgent and Which the Committee Agree Should Be Considered Whilst the Public Are Excluded

Minutes:

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

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.