Agenda item

Joint report of the Director of the Built Environment, Director of Open Spaces and Director of Markets and Consumer Protection.

The Committee considered a joint report of the Director of the Built Environment,

Director of Open Spaces and Director of Markets and Consumer Protection providing an update on progress made during Period 3 (December-March) against the High-Level Business Plans 2020/21 for the three service areas.

The Deputy Chairman congratulated the team for securing an additional funded post for illegal street trading enforcement and requested further detail concerning changes to HARC’s changes to operation. It was confirmed that staff at the centre worked with airlines to make sure they had the resources to import live animals safely using social distancing, but there were restrictions on the number of animals coming in at one time. It was hoped these restrictions would be lifted soon.

A Member noted the increase in the number of deaths and funerals and was concerned by the current approach for any income over and above the total expenditure to be moved to a reserve fund for the Cemetery and Crematorium. It was felt there was a potential risk of reduction for future years which would require contingency from the Chamberlain in the long-term as opposed to the current short-term gain. Members agreed to bolster the reserve fund despite the good year and Officers agreed to follow up with Chamberlain’s as no money was currently agreed.

Members enquired about the delay in dealing with graffiti and the Committee were reminded that their remit related to the public realm and not individual estates or TfL who were responsible for their own assets.

RESOLVED – That Members note the content of this report and its appendices.