Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Catherine Bickmore, Catherine McGuinness, Alderman Gregory Jones and Verderer Paul Morris.

The Town Clerk noted that the meeting was inquorate and therefore, in line with Standing Order 36 of the Court of Common Council, the formal meeting would be dissolved and consideration of business adjourned until the next regular meeting of the Committee. Any business requiring approval prior to the next regular meeting would be considered by the Town Clerk under urgency procedure in consultation with the Chair and Deputy Chair of the Committee.

Members agreed to discuss, informally, the items on the agenda that day. The Town Clerk agreed to take a note of the inquorate meeting for submission to the next regular meeting of the Committee.

There were no declarations.

To agree the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 7 July 2022.

Members received the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 7 July 2022. The following amendments were made –

·       Page 1 – Joanne Hill’s department correct from Markets and Consumer Protection to Environment Department.

MATTERS ARISING

·       Item 4 – The Chair informed Members that the change of name paper had been withdrawn from the next Policy & Resources Committee meeting.

Executive Director Environment to be heard.

The Executive Director Environment thanked the Assistant Director of Commons for his years of service and his achievements in the City Corporation’s open spaces.

Report of the Executive Director Environment.

Members received a report of the Executive Director Environment which detailed the actions to be taken to ensure that the Open Spaces’ charities are fit for purpose.

In response to a query, Members were informed that a proposed terms of reference for the Natural Environment Board was in development and that it had been shared with the legal team.

Members discussed the funding and resourcing allocation for the Natural Environment Charity Review.

Report of the Executive Director Environment (To Follow).

The Executive Director Environment informed Members that this report was not available for this meeting as it remained under review.

Report of the Executive Director Environment.

Members received a report of the Executive Director Environment setting out the risk management procedures in place and the Natural Environment Cross-Divisional Risk Register.

A Member stated that Officers should coordinate key priorities of the Open Spaces charities and was of the view that the risk register should be updated monthly to identify new risks and reflect when a risk has decreased.

The Deputy Chair noted that a useful method for identifying risks is to conduct in-person visits to the open spaces.

Executive Director Environment to be heard.

Members received a verbal update from the Executive Director of Environment on the following points:

a)    Members were informed that the Resource Allocation Sub Committee and the Finance Committee were conducting a review of all projects across the organisation and that Officers from City Gardens have assisted with this review in relation to Finsbury Circus. An update on the review will be provided at a future meeting.

b)    In relation to memorialisation, Members were informed that the Committee would receive a report reviewing best practice within the Square Mile.

c)     A Member provided an update on his meetings with the Church regarding an NHS memorial. It was noted that a design for the memorial was close to being agreed, funding was in place and a future meeting with the Church had been scheduled.

d)    Members were informed of the work of the City Garden’s staff throughout the national period of mourning for the queen.

e)    In relation to the drought, Members were informed that water restrictions remained in place and that these were likely to continue until Spring 2023. It was noted that the climate resilient garden had responded well during the drought.

f)      Members were updated on the tree planting scheme in the City.

Members thanked the City Garden’s staff and volunteers for their assistance during the national period of mourning and in addressing the drought.

Report of the Executive Director Environment.

Members received a report of the Executive Director Environment updating Members on the work of the Natural Environment Division since the previous meeting.

Report of the Executive Director Environment.

Members considered a report of the Executive Director Environment, which presented the second drafts of four of the five strategies agreed at the Open Spaces & City Gardens away day on 20 June 2022.

In response to a query from a Member, Members were informed that the strategy in relation to Conservation and Nature Resilience had not been updated as the Officer responsible for this area of work had left the City Corporation. Members were informed that this strategy would be updated and presented to the Committee at the next meeting.

Members noted that the Natural Environment Division was seeking its approval to develop a culture and heritage strategy. Members discussed whether it was within the powers of the Committee to approve such a decision. Some Members were of the view that the Committee’s terms of reference should first be updated.

Report of the Executive Director Environment.

Members considered a report of the Executive Director Environment, which sought authority to declare the Irish Chambers as surplus to the Environment Department’s operational requirements.

Members were informed that future staffing requirements had been factored into the recommendation to relinquish the building to the City Surveyor.

Report of the Remembrancer.

Members received a report of the Remembrancer providing an overview of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill, as it relates to heritage and open spaces.

Members discussed the uncertainty around the progression of the Bill.

There were no questions.

There was no other business.

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.

Members at the inquorate meeting considered the non-public items.

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 7 July 2022.

Members received the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 7 July 2022.

Report of the Managing Director Bridge House Estate.

Members received a report of the Managing Director, Bridge House Estate. The report set out the Corporate Charities Review outcomes concerning the Open Spaces charities and how the Corporate Charities Review will continue to support Officers with their work on implementing its recommendations.

There were no questions.

There was no other business.

Executive Director Environment to be heard.

Members received a verbal procedural update on TOM2 from the Executive Director Environment.