Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Chapman, with Councillor Choubedar present as his substitute.

None.

It was confirmed that all items were classed as Part 1, and would therefore be considered in public.

Regarding minute 38, the Committee requested that its thanks to officers be included. It was also confirmed that the requested ASBET letter had been received.  

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 13 October 2021 be approved as correct record, subject to the above amendment.

Paul Richards - Head of Green Spaces, Sport and Culture, provided the Committee with an update on the work of Green Spaces, and the impact of Covid-19 on the Council’s parks and open spaces, during 2020-21.

The report was summarised, with the importance of the Borough’s parks and open spaces to resident mental health and physical wellbeing during the covid-19 pandemic and periodic lockdowns highlighted.

Throughout the pandemic, parks and open spaces had remained open, and had seen a significant increase in visitors. To address the challenges that came with such an increase, staff numbers had also been increased to provide additional litter picking efforts alongside the installation of further bins and commercial waste units.

Opportunities for residents to take part in sport had continued, as restrictions allowed, and Green Spaces had worked closely with various sporting associations including the Lawn Tennis Association, the Football Association, and the English Cricket Board ensure equipment and locations were suitable for safe use. A new booking process for tennis courts had been introduced, sporting equipment such as goals and pitch markings had been provided, and further work was underway regarding a bid for funding for artificial wickets and practice nets. Children’s playgrounds had been made available once restrictions had been lifted.

Ruislip Lido was seen as a key attraction for the Borough, and an important site for residents throughout the pandemic. To promote visitor and resident safety, and reduce traffic congestion, a one-way system around the Lido had been introduced alongside a limit on visitors on site at any one time. Additional staff were also on site to manage the increased number of visitors and their impact, including the increase in dog fouling, while a consultation was underway with nearby residents regarding potential parking measures.

Dog ownership in general had increased throughout the pandemic, and the Committee was reminded that commercial dog walkers were required to hold a licence, with enforcement action and penalties applied where required.

The work to enhance green spaces and promote environmental benefits had continued, including an increase in the planting of trees, plants and wildflowers, alongside innovations regarding maintenance and selection to promote better survival rates and biodiversity. Partnerships and advice had been sought with Trees for Cites, as well as Trees for Streets and Plantlife. Hillingdon had once again been granted the highest number of Green Flags nationally, retaining its title as the UK’s greenest borough.

Floral displays and competitions had also continued, with judging carried out remotely. With regard to floral displays, locations for such displays were chosen to maximise resident enjoyment, taking into consideration footfall, visibility, and suggestion requests from Ward Councillors. A Council contract with a third party for the production and maintenance of displays was in place, though plantings were supplemented by Uxbridge BID. Where plant growth was reported to affect driver or pedestrian visibility (and therefore safety), officers would take immediate action to cut the growth.

Regarding tree planting, and the prevention of new plantings being ripped out by vandals, it  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46.

The Committee considered the draft recommendations to Cabinet resulting from their review into engagement with tenants and leaseholders, circulated prior to the meeting.

The clerk confirmed that the intent of the recommendations was to provide the parameters for the suggested strategy and delivery plan, allowing officers the agility to amend those plans in response to future resident feedback. The Committee was reminded that the recommendations included a suggestion that officers attend future meetings at regular intervals to allow the Committee to monitor the success of the strategy and delivery plan, and milestones achieved, in light of that further resident feedback.

Members suggested that the draft recommendations make specific reference to the negative feedback received from the witnesses at the previous information gathering session. The clerk advised that the suggested recommendations included a request that Cabinet acknowledge resident feedback received, alongside the requirement for continued improvement. The rationale for the recommendations, supported by evidence, would be set out in greater detail in the body of the forthcoming report to Cabinet itself.

The Committee was reminded that the resident feedback received so far was based on a small subset of tenants and leaseholders and further, larger, consultations would be carried out as the strategy and delivery plans progressed.

It was requested that the first recommendation be amended to highlight feedback received from residents in person versus feedback received from online surveys. It was agreed that the wording of this recommendation could be reviewed.

It was requested that delegated authority be granted to the clerk to undertake the requested amendments, or any further amendments necessary, in consultation with the Chairman.

RESOLVED: 

1.    That the draft recommendations be approved subject to amendment as suggested; and

2.    That delegated authority be granted to the clerk to undertake the requested amendments, or any further amendments required, in consultation with the Chairman.

Consideration was given to Cabinet’s Forward Plan, and it was:

RESOLVED:  That the Cabinet forward Plan be noted.

Consideration was given to the Committee’s Work Programme.

Regarding the forthcoming information items on the topics of HMOs and empty properties, it was requested that any requests for detail to be included in the reports be forwarded to the clerk. To aid Members, it was agreed that the clerk would circulate suggestions previously put forward by the Chairman.

RESOLVED:  That the Cabinet Forward Plan be noted.