Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Wendy Mead, Reverend Simon Nicholls, Deputy John Tomlinson, Rafe Courage and Alderman Ian Luder.

The Chairman welcomed Councillor Joy Laguda back to the West Ham Park Committee after her reappointment by the London Borough of Newham.

There were no declaration received.

To agree the public minutes and non-public summary of the previous meeting of the West Ham Park Committee held on the 12th of October.

The Committee considered the public minutes and non-public summary of the West Ham Park Committee meeting held on the 12^th of October 2021.

A Committee member requested that a question they asked about the appointment of the West Ham Park Manager be added the minutes of the previous meeting.

RESOLVED- That the public minutes of the West Ham Park Committee held on the 12^th of October 2021 be approved as an accurate record.

Report of the Executive Director for Environment.

The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director Environment on the West Ham Park Fees and Charges Review.

A member raised concern that the proposed fees were not in line with the comparable figures which had been benchmarked. The Chairman commented that he did not perceive there to a be any problematic discrepancy in prices. The Executive Director Environment confirmed that an extensive benchmarking exercise had been completed and that prices had been increased in line with RPI. It was added that any discrepancies in pricing from the benchmarked figure were a reflection of local pricing and factors such as the extent of facilities at the different sites. The Deputy Chairman noted that the Committee had previously agreed to keep pricing in line with inflation until at least the end of the year. The Executive Director Environment explained that some local sites were due to review their pricing structure in April which would add to any current difference in price reflected in the report.

RESOLVED- That: -

1. The proposed schedule of charges (attached at Appendix 2) for sports facilities in West Ham Park for the 2022/23 financial year be approved; and
2. The proposed Bringing Communities Together and summer fair events detailed in paragraph 14 be approved. 

Joint report of the Chamberlain and Executive Director for Environment.

The Committee considered a joint report of the Executive Director Environment and the Chamberlain on the Departmental and Service Committee Budget Estimates 2022/23.

Responding to a Committee member’s question it was confirmed that staff numbers had not decreased as vacancies were covered by temporary positions and, therefore, there was no substantive difference in staffing costs. 

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee received a report of the Town Clerk on the summary of open spaces media coverage for November 2021.

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

Report of the Executive Director for Environment.

The Committee received a report of the Executive Director Environment on the Open Spaces Business Plan for 2022/23.

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

Report of the Executive Director for Environment.

The Committee received a report of the Executive Director Environment Open Spaces Business Plan 2021/22 Six-month performance update: April to Sept 2021.

The Deputy Chairman commended Officers for the awards, as specified in the report which the West Ham Park had received.

Responding to a query from a Committee member the Chairman and Deputy Chairman confirmed that the carbon sequestration referred to in the report included West Ham Park.

Replying to a Member’s question the Executive Director Environment explained that an agreement had just been reached with the contractor with a completion date of late spring being targeted.

A Committee member highlighted the campaign by local residents regarding the nursery site at West Ham Park. It was confirmed that no further information could be provided by Officers as this was campaign by the Friends of West Ham Park with the information available online.

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

Report of the Executive Director for Environment.

The Committee received a report of the Executive Director Environment on the Superintendent’s update for West Ham Park.

The Deputy Chairman congratulated the Learning Team for their successes in returning to the levels of engagement enjoyed before the COVID pandemic at West Ham Park.

The Chairman asked Officers to confirm if there was a defibrillator at the sporting facilities for West Ham Park. The Executive Director Environment confirmed that there was not currently one at the site but that enquiries were being made for procuring one. The Chairman suggested that this be arranged as swiftly as possible. A Committee member confirmed that he was happy to connect Officers with the London Borough of Newham Public Health Team as helpful.

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee received a report of the Town Clerk on the report of action taken.

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

Responding to a question on the relationship between dog walkers and the general public in West Ham Park the Executive Director Environment explained that this relationship was generally good as it was well managed by Officers present at the Park.

There were no urgent business considered in the public session.

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 previous meeting of the West Ham Park Committee held on the 12th of October.

The Committee considered the non-public minutes of the West Ham Park Committee meeting held on the 12^thof October 2021.

RESOLVED- That the non-public minutes of the West Ham Park Committee held on the 12^th of October 2021 be approved as an accurate record.

The committee received one question in the non-public session.

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