Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Catherine Bickmore, Alderman Ian Luder and Rev’d Canon Alex Summers.

There were no declarations received.

To receive the Order of the Court of Common Council dated 25 April 2019 appointing the Committee and setting its Terms of Reference.

RESOLVED – That the order of the Court of Common Council be received.

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 read a list of Members eligible to stand and Oliver Sells being the only Member expressing their willingness to serve was duly elected Chairman for the ensuing year and took the Chair.

The Chairman thanked the Committee for their support and welcomed Cllr Tahmina Rahman to their first meeting of the Committee.

RESOLVED – That Oliver Sells be elected Chairman of the Committee for the ensuing year.

VOTE OF THANKS

Proposed by Barbara Newman.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY:

That the Members of the West Ham Park Committee wish to place on record their sincere appreciation to

GRAEME MARTYN SMITH

Their very great and sincere thanks and appreciation for the distinguished manner in which he has served as Chairman since 18th July 2016.

Much has been achieved during Graeme’s Chairmanship throughout what has been a challenging financial and political period.  He has combined wise counsel and a forward thinking intellect, with a calm, measured understanding, never failing to put officers and guests at their ease with his natural affability and good humour throughout the Committee’s proceedings, alongside his leadership of numerous project boards and working groups. He has played a decisive role in improving the sporting offer at West Ham Park, responsible for the comprehensive refurbishment of twelve tennis courts and three cricket nets during his tenure, alongside the re-siting and extension of a green gym. Furthermore, he has championed partnership working with the Lawn Tennis Association and the Park’s coaching team, resulting in improvements to security and accessibility of courts, an on-line booking system and a subsequent four hundred percent increase in usage of the courts. In addition, through increased joint working with the Essex County Cricket Club and the numerous local cricket clubs to

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 in accordance with Standing Order No. 30(3)(a), Graeme Doshi-Smith as the immediate Past Chairman and having indicated his willingness to serve was accordingly declared to be the Deputy Chairman for the ensuing year.

RESOLVED – That Graeme Doshi-Smith be elected as Deputy Chairman for the ensuing year.

To agree the public minutes of the previous meeting of the West Ham Park Committee held on 8 April 2019.

The Committee considered the minutes of the West Ham Park Committee held on 8 April 2019.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the previous meeting of the West Ham Park Committee on 8 April 2019 be agreed as an accurate record.

The Director of Open Spaces to be heard.

The Director of Open Spaces provided Members with a summary of the impact of the Brexit process on the City of London Corporation’s Open Spaces Department. The Director of Open Spaces informed the Committee that Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs funding had been secured post Brexit and that the City of London Corporation had been preparing for the various effect’s different outcomes from the Brexit negotiations.

RESOLVED- That the update be noted.

Report of the Superintendent of Parks and Gardens.

To be read in conjunction with a non-public appendix at item 17.

The Committee received a report of the Director of Open Spaces on the Park Manager Update. The report provided an update to Members of the West Ham Park Committee on management and operational activities at West Ham Park since April 2019.

The Director of Open Spaces explained that 5 nest sites of Oak Processionary Moth (OPM) had been dealt with within West Ham Park and that these sites would be reviewed next spring. In addition, Members were informed that on the 21st July West Ham Park would be hosting an open day in connection with the National Park City.

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Open Spaces regarding the West Ham Park Events Policy. The report advised that the proposed local Events Policy would ensure that events are properly managed; that the impact of any event on the open space and adjoining communities is minimised; and that the costs of hosting the event are properly reflected in any licence fee.

RESOLVED- That the proposed Events Policy (Part Two) for West Ham Park attached at Appendix 2 be approved.

Report of the City Surveyor.

The Committee received a report of the City Surveyor on the Cyclical Works Programme Bid 2020/21. The report set out a provisional list of cyclical projects being considered for properties under the management of West Ham Park Committee under the “cyclical works programme”.

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Open Spaces on the Open Spaces Departmental Business Plan 2018/19 Year End performance report. The report provided Members with a review of the Open Spaces Department’s delivery of its 2018/19 Business Plan.

A Member of the Committee commented that it was important that the all effected Committees are provided appropriate opportunity to engage with the City of London Corporation’s Sports Strategy.

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

Joint report of the Chamberlain and the Director of Open Spaces.

The Committee received a joint report of the Chamberlain and the Director of Open Spaces on the Revenue Outturn 2018/19 for West Ham Park. The report provided a summary of key budgetary issues for the year and compared the revenue outturn with the services overseen by the West Ham Park Committee.

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.  

A Member questioned whether, given the importance of sport to West Ham Park, the City of London Corporation Sports Strategy reports should be circulated to West Ham Park Committee Members for information.

It was questioned by a Member of the Committee if there were adequate public warning regarding the instances of OPM in West Ham Park. Replying to this the Director of Open Spaces confirmed that sign posts were present at West Ham Park to inform the public of the dangers of OPM.

There was no urgent business considered in the public session.

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 following items of business on the grounds 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 West Ham Park Committee held on 8 April 2019.

The Committee considered the non-public minutes of the meeting of the West Ham Park Committee held on 8 April 2019.

RESOLVED- That the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 8 April 2019 be approved as an accurate record.

Non-public appendix to be read in conjunction with item 8.

The Committee received a non-public appendix in conjunction with item 8.

RESOLVED- That the appendix be noted.

There was no non-public questions considered.

There were no urgent items considered in the non-public session.