Agenda item

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

The Committee received the departmental Business Plan which detailed fifteen key actions over a five year period that would deliver these departmental and charitable objectives. In order to manage performance, twenty four ‘SMART’ performance indicators had been proposed. This would enable the Department to show, over a three year period that it was working towards continuous improvement.

Members noted that the Department’s vision was to “Preserve and protect our

world class green spaces for the benefit of our local communities and the environment”. The Committee were informed that following consideration by the Open Spaces and City Gardens & West Ham Park committee meetings, some minor amendments had been made to the plan.

In response to a query regarding a performance indicator related to the increase of Learning Programme participants from BME groups, the Director informed the Member that the language used when referring to under-represented groups was standardised across the City Corporation.

Officers clarified that for the purpose of the Business Plan, volunteers were referred to as staff. Members noted that volunteers underwent a number of health and safety checks prior to volunteering in any of the City Corporation’s open spaces.

Resolved – that the business plan and risk register be received.