Agenda item

To consider the report of the Executive Director, Environment.

Rob S

The Committee considered the report of the Executive Director, Environment updating Members of Keats on achievements at Keats House for the period April - September 2025, noting that Keats House has been delivering the objectives identified in its annual Activities Plan set out in appendix 1, which in turn contribute to the achievement of Departmental, Corporate and wider cultural sector outcomes and initiatives.

Members agreed that risk management procedures in place for Keats House are satisfactory and meet the requirements of the Corporate Risk Management Framework and the Charities Act 2011, noting the detailed risk register set out in appendix 2.

The Committee noted in particular this risk: ENV-NE-KH 007 ‘Tree event or failure’ noting also that the House is working closely with the Open Spaces team to assess all trees, noting also that work on a specific tree is expected to begin imminently to reduce the risk to a tolerable level – noting also that the risk was discussed at the meeting of the Keats House Consultative Committee on 31 October 2025, during which the Committee expressed its concern in strong terms about that risk being classed as a red risk. A Member asked when the work would be carried out on the relevant tree, and the Committee heard that the work was escalated soon after the Consultative Committee meeting and will be undertaken shortly.

Referencing section 15, the Committee congratulated Keats House on winning the Sandford Award.       

RESOLVED, That the Committee confirm, on behalf of the City Corporation as Trustee, that the register appended to the report satisfactorily sets out the key risks to the Keats House charity and that appropriate systems are in place to identify and mitigate risks.