The Committee will receive a report detailing the maintenance and enforcement in parks and open spaces.
Report to follow.
Minutes:
The Committee received a presentation on how the parks and open spaces in Havering were managed and maintained. It was informed that this was though Resources, Consultation and the Strategic Requirement. Officers stated that whilst there was a plan of works for all parks and open spaces in the borough, this was often weather dependent which could be unpredictable and difficult to control. The Committee was informed that there were eight parks with Green Flag Standards, which was the highest accolade for parks maintenance in the UK. There were also 10 parks which had won the London in Bloom last year.
The Committee was informed of future proposals, these included:
· High Level Stewardship – instead of using tractors to cut the grass, the introduction of cattle to graze would encourage the return of more biodiversity in the park. Officers stated that Redpole Cattle were the nearest to a historical Essex breed that they could find. English Nature would give Havering a grant for this venture, which had proved very successful in both Hornchurch Country Park and Rainham Gateway.
· English Woodland Grant – In the large wooded areas of the borough if trees are felled, rather than using large machinery to move the logs, the introduction of heavy horses would be introduced, these were Suffolk Punch horses who were native horses and historically were used for this type of work.
· Biomass Production – Given that there are large wooded areas in the borough, and tied in with the above project, the wood could be sold off for biomass production which essentially would produce an income and allow the woodland to be better managed.
A member asked about the wild deer at the Manor and if there was a culling programme. Officers stated that this was not a policy that they would wish to implicate. The deer at the Manor were wild deer and added to the diversity of the area. The Red Deer who resided at Bedfords Park were captive deer. Often these were removed and taken to Scotland and set free. No deer was ever killed.
Members asked if there was an apprenticeship scheme in the department. Officers stated that they had four young people on a 20 month apprenticeship scheme. They spend 12 months learning about the team, and then the following 6-8 months they had the option of the area they wish to pursue. There were two in conservation, one in plants and equipment and one who wishes to be a plantswoman at Langtons. Management was an option, however it was the apprentices choice of what they wish to do in the 6-8 months. There was no guarantee of a job at the end of the scheme, however one apprentice has been taken on full time.
Members asked if there was any scope for employing with people with learning disabilities. Officers stated they have not been approached by organisations or partners to deliver this, however they would if they had this partnership in place. They had worked closely with SEETEC in employing people through the probation service.