Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received by the Deputy Chairman Caroline Haines and Deputy John Tomlinson.

There were no declarations.

To agree the public minutes and non-public summary of the informal meeting of the Open Spaces and City Gardens Committee held on the 13^th of July.

The Committee considered the public minutes and non-public summary of the Open Spaces and City Gardens Committee held on the 12^th of October.

RESOLVED- That the public minutes of the Open Spaces and City Gardens Committee held on the 12th of October was approved as an accurate record.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee considered a report of the Town Clerk on the Open Spaces coverage 2021.

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

Report of the Executive Director of Environment.  

The Committee received a report of the Executive Director Environment on the Open Spaces Department Capital Projects proposals to RASC.

A Member noted that these bids need to be brought forward to the Resource Allocation Sub-Committee for consideration. The Chairman requested that he and the Deputy Chairman be informed of the meeting of the Resource Allocation Sub-Committee where these bids are considered.

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

Report of the Executive Director of Environment.  

The Committee received a report of the Executive Director Environment on the City Gardens update.

The Committee discussed the future of the western roadway of the Finsbury Site noting that the Department of Built Environment had provided assurances that this site would be returned to public access. A Member commented that he had received a number of complaints from the Ward constituents but noted his understanding was that by the end of the week all traffic cones would be removed. The Executive Director Environment informed Members that this project was under the authority of the Streets and Walkways Sub-Committee and would be taken forward with Members being informed appropriately. The Chairman requested that Open Spaces and City Gardens Committee be copied into the correspondence to ensure they are kept appropriately informed.

A Member noted that of the five new vehicles to be procured only two were electric and three Euro 6 diesel tippers. Responding to this comment the Executive Director Environment informed the elective vehicles were considerably more expensive than the diesel models noting that budgetary concerns had contributed to the decision to procure only two electric vehicles. Further to this response the Member commented that central funding should be increased in order that the City Gardens section can contribute properly to the City of London Corporation’s commitments on sustainability and stated that he would be asking a question of the Policy and Resources Committee on these grounds. 

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

Report of the Executive Director of Environment.  

The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director Environment on the Tower Hill Play Area Refurbishment.

RESOLVED- That: -

     I.        That budget of £16,000 be approved for staff costs and fees and charges, to reach the next Gateway; and  

    II.        That the project budget of £16,000 (excluding risk) be noted; and  

  III.        That the total estimated cost of the project at £195,000(including risk) be noted; and

  IV.        That a Costed Risk Provision of £16,500 be approved (to be drawn down via delegation to Chief Officer).

Responding to a question from a Member the Executive Director provided a update on the tree diseases present in the City Gardens.  

A Member informed the committee that they would be interested in becoming the Open Spaces and City Garden Committee appointed member to the Streets and Walkways Sub-Committee. The Town Clerk informed the Committee that as the meeting was inquorate it could not formally approve the appointment which would need to be approved under Standing Order 41.

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.

RESOLVED: 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 informal meeting of the Open Spaces and City Gardens Committee held on the 13th of July.

The Committee considered the non-public minutes of the previous meeting of the Open Spaces and City Gardens Committee held on the 13^th of July 2021.

RESOLVED- That the non-public minutes of the previous meeting of the Open Spaces and City Gardens Committee held on the 13^th of July 2021 be approved as an accurate record.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee considered a report of the Town Clerk on the action taken outside of the meeting.

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

There were no questions received in the non-public session.

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