Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Rafe Courage, Deputy Graeme Doshi-Smith and Justin Meath Baker.

There were no declarations.

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting which took place on 6 October 2022.

RESOLVED – The public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 6 October 2022 were approved as a correct record.

Joint Report of the Chamberlain and the Executive Director Environment.

The Committee considered a joint report of the Chamberlain and the Executive Director Environment presenting the revenue and capital budgets for the West Ham Park Committee for 2023/24 for approval,

A Member noted that there continued to be a staff vacancy. Members were informed that the vacancy had been advertised, however, it had been difficult to fill positions in the current employment market.

RESOLVED, that Members -

a)    review and approve the West Ham Park Committee’s proposed revenue budget for 2023/24 for submission to Finance Committee;

b)    review and approve the West Ham Park Committee’s capital and supplementary revenue projects budgets for 2023/24 for submission to Finance Committee;

c)    agree that amendments for 2022/23 and 2023/24 budgets arising from changes to recharges or for any further implications arising from corporate contracts, Target Operating Model (TOM), energy price increases, changes to the Cyclical Works Programme (CWP) and capital charges during budget setting be delegated to the Chamberlain in consultation with the Executive Director Environment; and

d)    note that the draft budget does not include estimated increases in energy costs which are currently being reviewed in light of changing market prices with budgets to be adjusted once a final agreement on energy forecasts is made.

Report of the Chamberlain.

The Committee received a report of the Chamberlain providing an update on the operational finance position as @ period 6 (April - September) 2022/23 for West Ham Parks local risk revenue budget to date and projected year-end outturn position, current live capital projects and outstanding debt position. It also provided additional information on the various reserve funds and endowment balances held and other relevant finance information.

In response to a question, Members were informed that the revenue from the property of West Ham Park’s nursery site West Ham Park would be held centrally and was therefore not included in this report.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Report of the Executive Director Environment.

The Committee received a report of the Executive Director Environment updating Members on the progress made against the 2022/23 high-level business plan of the Open Spaces Department which was approved by the Open Spaces and City Gardens Committee in December 2021.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Report of the Executive Director Environment.

The Committee received a report of the Executive Director Environment updating Members on management operational activities at West Ham Park since October. This Committee also received a presentation providing further information on these activities.

Members discussed corporate volunteering days and how connections with businesses in the City could be better utilised.

The Committee requested clarification as to whether the Park uses biodegradable refuse bags.

A Member queried if it would be possible for the Newham Rotary Club to be assigned an area within West Ham Park to plant crocuses, as they have done previously. Officers informed Members that they would explore options for this.

A Member requested that future reports detail how the activities undertaken assist in the delivery of the Committee’s plans.

In response to a question, Members were informed that the East London Business Alliance (ELBA) coordinates the volunteers for West Ham Park and that the work the volunteers complete was of value to the Park.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Report of the Executive Director Environment.

The Committee received a report of the Executive Director Environment updating Members on matters relating to the work of the Natural Environment Division since the previous meeting in October 2022.

In response to a query from a Member, the Committee was informed that the charity is currently listed as operating in Surrey and that this will be amended for all of the natural environment charities to state that they operate across England and Wales.

Members were informed that changes and updates to the byelaws will be reported to the Committee at a future date.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

There were no questions.

There were no items of urgent business.

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.

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 as follows:-

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting which took place on 6 October 2022.

RESOLVED - The non-public minutes of the meeting held on 6 October 2022 were approved as a correct record.

The Executive Director Environment to be heard.

Members received a verbal update of the Executive Director Environment on the nursery site.

RESOLVED – That the update be noted.

There were no questions.

There was no urgent business.

To agree the confidential minutes of the meeting which took place on 6 October 2022.

RESOLVED – The confidential minutes of the meeting held on 6 October 2022 were approved as a correct record.

Report of the Executive Director Environment.

The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director Environment updating Members on the draft Natural Environment Strategies and the Natural Environment Division’s proposals.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.