Agenda item

Verbal update by the Director of Open Spaces.

The Committee received an update from the Director of Open Spaces and noted:

·       The NASA report was published on 16/1/15 and it confirmed that 2014 was the world hottest year, with 38 consecutive years when the temperature rise has been above average and 2014  was Europe’s warmest year since 1880.

·       DEFRA’s Natural Capital committee published its 3 year research report, charting the decline in natural capital and calling for a 25 year plan to halt decline. As well as plans for woodland, peat and wetlands; the recreational value of urban green spaces for health and wellbeing and urban air quality are recognised.

·       The Green Infrastructure Task Force, which was to report for the (50yr) London Infrastructure Plan, met on 30/1/15. The force started by considering the functions of GI; Primarily - amenity, recreation and heritage conservation

It would now focus on health, well-being, transport (walking and cycling), ecological resilience. In the future it would investigate storm water, cooling and air and water quality.

·       The Greater London National Park campaign was promoted by Daniel Raven – Ellison a National Geographic Emerging Explorer. The Director attended a workshop on 28/1/15 with AECOM who were offering support. Benefits were not currently but benefits for education and promotion resulting in behaviour change would be proposed.

·       Later in 2015 a Basic Payments Scheme would replace Single Payments (after 10 years). Currently Open Spaces receivef £240kpa. Initial concerns were that we would not be able to be classified as farmers but lobbying from RSPB and the National Trust. Environmental Stewardship and English woodland grants would be transformed to NECMS – a new environmental land management scheme operated by Natural England.

·       Various Powers Bill was in informal consultation stage before reporting to Management Committees in May and Open Spaces in June.

·       The Annual Report presented a change to the 3 year promotional report with annual data inserted. Copies of the report were now available.