Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of 22 April 2015 and to authorise the Chairman to sign them.

The minutes of the meeting held on 22 April 2015 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Sub-Committee is to receive an update to the Cabinet Report.

In accordance with the Council’s Continuous Improvement Model, the Sub-Committee received a briefing on the GLA Big Green Fund & Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) Landscape Partnerships funding applications from the Projects and Programme Manager Economic Development.

The Sub-Committee was informed that Cabinet gave approval for the submission of two funding bids; an application to the Greater London Authority Big Green Fund and an application to the Heritage Lottery Fund for a Landscape Partnership grant.  Both these applications were submitted and had been successful. 

The report detailed how the aim of securing funding for environmental regeneration programmes in Havering’s countryside and green spaces was being achieved through developed partnership work between the Council, the Thames Chase Trust, the Forestry Commission and other Thames Chase local authorities, i.e. London Borough of Barking and Dagenham and Thurrock Council.

The initiative recognised that green infrastructure had an increasingly important role to play in order to meet the challenges of sustaining economic growth and the expected changes to London’s demography and climate. 

The Sub-Committee noted that green infrastructure was becoming more important in urban areas because it could help to absorb flood water, cool the urban environment and clean the air. Members noted that it could also  be used for local food production, to promote sport and leisure and ensure space for London’s fauna and flora, As a network it could provide links and connections between places, encouraging walking and cycling, highlighting landscape and heritage and supporting the local economy, in particular the visitor economy.

The partnership had embarked upon the development stage, with funding from HLF that would pay for the appointment of a Development Manager and the commissioning of a Landscape Character Assessment and Action Plan, an Audience Development Plan, a training and skills audit and further community engagement.  This work was now underway and if successful, it was anticipated that the Lottery would be able to offer the full grant of an additional £1.3m.

Greater London Authority Big Green Fund

In 2011 the London Mayor published the All London Green Grid (ALGG) Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) to the London Plan which outlined a vision and framework for London’s network of green and open spaces; its green infrastructure. 

The report stated that the Mayor supported the identification of 11 Green Grid Areas and the establishment of area-based partnerships to promote cross boundary working. Havering was located in Area 3 of the All London Green Grid, Thames Chase, Beam, Ingrebourne. 

The Big Green projects were expected to result in transformative actions ‘on the ground’ and to be delivered by March 2015.

The Thames Chase Partnership was successful and achieved a grant of £350,000 for a project called Thames Chase Big Green Destinations. 

The Sub-Committee noted that the project sought to improve access to the Thames Chase area by creating improved access for people visiting from London and arriving at Dagenham East Station.  The improved connections between the station and the Ingrebourne Valley were delivered and were able to make use of the new  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

The Sub-Committee is to receive an update to the Cabinet Report.

In accordance with the Council’s Continuous Improvement Model, the sub-committee received a briefing on the Rainham and Beam Park Housing Zone Bid proposal from the Programmes & Projects Manager Economic Development.

Following the submission of Havering’s Housing Zone proposal in September 2014, a number of discussions were held with GLA officers.

The report detailed that these discussion were centred on the form of funding requested, whether non recoverable or recoverable grant.

The Sub-Committee noted that some elements of social infrastructure that funding was sought for such as leisure provision and a new primary school were not deemed to be eligible for the grant.

The report informed the Sub-Committee that the core asks of funding for site assembly, remediation, A1306 improvements, Beam Park station and Social Housing grants were approved by the GLA Housing Zone Challenge Panel on 5 Feb 2015.

The report detailed the following deliverables from the proposal:

•                     3,457 new homes (941 affordable)

•                    A1306 to be transformed into a boulevard

•                    Transport: the new Beam Park Station and bus extensions

•                    Programme of site assembly for housing development

•                    Social and physical infrastructure – health, leisure, education and energy network

•                    Access to open spaces

•                    Robust Planning Framework and Masterplan design guide.

The Sub-Committee noted that the Rainham and Beam Park Housing Zone submission had been formally approved by the GLA’s Housing Investment Group on the 13 May and a public announcement from the Mayor confirming the Housing Zone status would be made on 25 June.

The Sub-Committee noted the report.

The Sub-Committee received and agreed its work programme for the

coming municipal year.

It was agreed that the Sub-Committee receive a presentation from appropriate officers in Homes & Housing on the current Anti-Social Tenant policies at its next meeting.

The Sub-Committee also agreed to the suggestion of the Chairman to consider a briefing on the Improvement and Better Homes programme.