Agenda item

Chairman to be heard.

The Chairman asked the Natural Environment Director to provide a formal thanks to Stefania Horne for her service and contribution to the board.

The Natural Environment Director noted that Stefania had made an enormous impression adding that her energy, leadership skills and can-do attitude would be greatly missed. The Director added that Stefania had worked through a difficult period during the Target Operating Model, assisting greatly with the new structure of the North London Open Spaces and with the sad passing of Declan Gallagher. The board thanked Stefania and wished her well in her exciting new role.

RESOVLED – That, the formal thanks to Stefania Horne be noted by the board.

MATTERS ARISING

The board observed a moment of reflection as requested by the Chairman for the passing of Declan Gallagher. The Assistant Director provided an Obituary.

In his 17 years of service with the City of London Corporation, Declan was a dedicated and professional manager who put his heart and soul into looking after Hampstead Heath and other open spaces in North London.

Thanks to his very positive attitude and extensive experience, he was instrumental in maintaining the highest of standards. 

Declan was very passionate about his work and very proud of Hampstead Heath and all the other open spaces he managed, including Queen’s Park, Golders Hill Park and West Ham Park.

A lot of the improvements over the years were delivered because of Declan’s hard work and determination, starting from the stumpery in Golders Hill Park at the beginning of his career, to the more recent projects such as the renovations of the playgrounds at the Heath Extension and in Queen’s Park. He was also involved  in the recent transformation of the sport facilities, including the cricket pitches at Parliament Hill and West Ham Park and the Athletics track at Parliament Hill.  

Declan was highly respected in the green spaces sector, becoming a judge in the national Green Flag Award scheme. He was very experienced in horticulture and grounds maintenance, and extremely knowledgeable in all the operations needed to maintain our own green spaces to the highest standards. Declan managed a wider team of dedicated staff and under his leadership, the Heath, Queen’s Park and – recently - West Ham Park were able to receive awards such as the Green Flag and London in Bloom every year. He was an exemplary manager and leader.

Declan was a lovely man and touched the heart of so many during the years he worked at the City of London Corporation. His funeral, attended by many of his colleagues and friends, was testament to the number of people who loved and respected him.  He was respected by staff and stakeholders including the Heath and Hampstead Society, local Friends groups such as QPARA and Friends of West Ham Park, Friends of Kenwood, the Hampstead Gardens Suburb Trust, Heath Hands and many other local groups. He was also respected by the Members of both the Consultative and Management committees and local councillors from Camden, Haringey, Barnet, Brent and  Newham, alongside many other  local sport clubs and organisations. 

His passing was a shock for all. His staff, friends and colleagues have many fond memories of Declan.  He was kind, generous and had a great sense of humour.  He will be greatly missed but we will cherish his memory.

RESOLVED – That the moment of reflection and obituary be noted by the board.