Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Karina Dostalova, Robert Cazenove and Deputy John Tomlinson.

No declarations were received.

To agree the public minutes and non-public summary of the previous meeting of the West Ham Park Committee held on the 13th of October 2020.

The Committee considered the public minutes of the West Ham Park Committee meeting held on the 13th of October 2020.

RESOLVED- That the public minutes of the West Ham Park Committee meeting held on the 13th of October 2020 be approved as an accurate record.

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Open Spaces on the West Ham Park Playground refurbishment project. The Director of Open Spaces introduced the report and highlighted the financial context of the City of London Corporation noting the effect this had on the options for the project.  The Chairman noted that it was important to move forward with the funding secured and explore further options, that might become possible later, at an appropriate stage. A Member agreed noting that any undue delay to the project could cause agreed funding to be withdrawn. The Deputy Chairman informed the Committee that further funding sources were being explored.

Responding to a Member’s query the Director of Open Spaces confirmed that the playground was reviewed for safety weekly by Officers and on an annual basis by external consultants. 

RESOLVED- That: -

1. The revised budget of £864,775 and Option 2 be agreed for refurbishing the playground within the existing footprint be implemented, to be funded from the resources previously identified for this scheme be approved; and
2. That the revised scope of the project be approved; and
3. That the Costed Risk Provision of £155,000 be approved.

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Open Spaces on the Draft Open Spaces Department Business Plan 2021/22.

The responding to a query the Director of Open Spaces explained that options for carbon sequestration would be explored across all of the open spaces, however that the larger spaces more be prioritised for this work as they presented the most opportunities. 

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

The Committee received a report of the Director of Open Spaces on the Departmental Business Plan 2020/21 Six-month performance update for April to Sept 2020.

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

The Committee reived a report of the Director of Open Spaces on the Park Managers update. The Director of Open Spaces introduced the report and highlighted the visit of the Lady Mayoress to West Ham Park. The Chairman commented on the success of the lady Mayoress’ visit.

A Committee member questioned why a full-time park Keeper, who left the West Ham Park Team in November, had been replaced with two temporary members of staff. The Director of Open Spaces explained that this was in accordance with efficiencies, which had been agreed across the City of London Corporation, any staff hired are to be on fixed term contract. 

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

Report of the City Surveyor.

The Committee received a report of the City Surveyor on the CWP 21/22 Updated Bid Report.

RESOLVED- That the report be noted

Report of the Remembrancer.

The Committee received a report of the Remembrancer on the Planning White Paper.

Responding to a query from a Committee member the Director of Open Spaces explained that the open spaces listed in paragraph 8 were those with specific legislation and this not intended to be a complete list of important open spaces managed by the City of London Corporation.

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee received a report of the Town Clerk on which provided a summary of a key open spaces media coverage from October to November 2020. The Chairman noted that he was open to suggestions for subject matters to include his regular article in the Newham Recorder. The Deputy Chairman added that she was open to liaise on the matters to include in social media.

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

There were no questions received in the public session.

The Chairman thanked staff and volunteers for their contribution in an extortionary year. The Committee agreed and put on record its thanks to staff and volunteers. Responding to a query from the Deputy Chairman the Director of Open Spaces explained that options were being explored for convening the annual Volunteer’s Reception remotely as a recognition of the volunteers’ contribution. 

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.

To agree the non-public public minutes of the previous meeting of the West Ham Park Committee held on the 13th of October 2020.

The Committee considered the draft non-public minutes of the West Ham Park Committee meeting held on the 13th of October 2020.

RESOLVED- That the non-public minutes of the West Ham Park Committee meeting held on the 13^th of October 2020 be approved as an accurate record

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

The Committee received a report of the Director of Open Spaces on the Nursery update.

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.