Hillingdon Council Cabinet Member and Officer Decisions
Environmental & Recreational Initiatives: Cranford Park Environmental Improvements
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Democratic Services Location: Phase II Ext: 0185 DDI: 01895 250185 CMD No: 982 To: COUNCILLOR MARTIN GODDARD CABINET MEMBER FOR FINANCE COUNCILLOR EDDIE LAVERY CABINET MEMBER FOR RESIDENTS’ SERVICES c.c. All Members of th e Residents’ Services Select Committee c.c. Jennifer Hedges – Place Directorate c.c. Perry Scott – Corporate Director of Place c.c. Ward Councillors for Heathrow Villages Date: 4 December 2023 Non-Key Decision request Form D CAPITAL RELEASE REPORT (December 2023) DEPARTMENT: Residents’ Services SERVICE AREA / PROGRAMME: Environmental & Recreational Initiatives: Cranford Park Environmental Improvements Project Dear Cabinet Members, Attached is a report requesting that a decision be made by you as an individual Cabinet Member. Democratic Services confirm that this is not a key decision, as such, the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012 notice period does not apply. You should take a decision on or after Tuesday 12 December 2023 in order to meet Constitutional requirements about publication of decisions that are to be made. You may wish to discuss the report with the Corporate Director before it is made. Please indicate your decision on the duplicate memo supplied and return it to me when you have made your decision. I will then arrange for the formal notice of decision to be published. Liz Penny Democratic Services Officer Title of Report: Environmental & Recreational Initiatives: Cranford Park Environmental Improvements Project Decision made: Reasons for your decision: (e.g. as stated in report) Alternatives considered and rejected: (e.g. as stated in report) Signed ……………………………………………………… Date……………………. Cabinet Member for Finance / Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services Capital Release Report – 4 December 2023 Page 1 Part I - Public CAPITAL RELEASE REPORT (December 2023) DEPARTMENT: Resident Services SERVICE AREA / PROGRAMME: Environmental & Recreational Initiatives: Cranford Park Environmental Improvements Project Cabinet Member(s) Councillor Martin Goddard Councillor Eddie Lavery Cabinet Portfolio(s) Cabinet Member for Finance Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services Officer Contact(s) Jennifer Hedges, Place Directorate Papers with report Appendix A – Capital release requests for approval Summary To seek release of £ 35k funds towards Cranford Park environmental improvement project Putting our Residents First This report supports our ambition for residents / the Council of: Live in a sustainable borough that is carbon neutral This report supports our commitments to residents of: A green and sustainable borough Financial Cost This report seeks the release of £ 35k for Cranford Park environmental improvement project, fully funded by Smarter Water Catchment Grant. Relevant Select Committee Residents’ Services Relevant Ward(s) Heathrow Villages RECOMMENDATION That the Cabinet Member for Finance and the Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services approve the project and capital release request of £35 k budget fully funded by Smarter Water Catchment Grant for the Cranford Park environmental improvement project (Appendix A). Reasons for recommendation The ‘ Cranford Park environmental improvements ’ aim to improve the biodiversity and nature conservation value of an important water network within Cranford Park, targeting ditches and the River Crane. The project contains two linked elements: 1. Tree works and scrub removal along the ditch banks Capital Release Report – 4 December 2023 Page 2 Part I - Public 2. A feasibility study to understand the current biodiversity and nature value of the ditch in order to plan for future works to enhance the River Crane ecosystem Selectively removing larger self -set trees and pruning others will allow natural sunlight into the river channel, boosting flora and fauna biodiversity, and allowing growth of emergent plants. In addition, it will enhance park visitors’ experiences, because at present the path network adjacent to the ditch is very overgrown. Scrub removal along the banks will further utilise natural light needed for new plant growth both in and around the ditch channel. The comprehensive feasibility study will enable experts to examine the full potential of the watercourse and the linked water networks for prospective projects. The future aim is to use the ditch and potential wetlands to filter and utilise the surface run-off from the nearby motorways and fields. This will allow a volume of high-quality water to enter the local river and water networks. The Council plans to work in partnership with approved agricultural contractors, and Cartographer for these projects. Alternative options considered / risk management The Cabinet Members may agree to fund the scheme and / or suggest alternative projects to which funds could be allocated within the terms of the relevant legal agreements. Select Committee comments None at this stage. SUPPORTING INFORMATION Cranford Park in Hayes is one of the largest green spaces in Hillingdon, covering almost 150 acres of natural habitat with ancient woodland, rivers, meadow s, cattle grazing and recreational areas. Recently, the Park has been successfully implementing a multi -million-pound Heritage Lottery Fund to regenerate and improve its facilities. This proposed project will further enhance park visitor experiences and the habitats throughout the park: Capital Release Report – 4 December 2023 Page 3 Part I - Public (Works will run along the western edge of the park, where it joins up with the River Crane at the south-east end of the park) This report is seeking project approval and the allocation of funding for the Cranford Park environmental improvement project. The table below outlines the project plan and timescales: 2023 2024 Item Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Feasibility study and reporting Scrub removal Tree management Capital Release Report – 4 December 2023 Page 4 Part I - Public The works will be undertaken by: ● Tree and scrub Contractor – Council contracted supplier – John Straka Agriculture ● Cartographer – Council contracted supplier The table below provides a breakdown of the costs: Cost Plan Description Supplier Amount (£) Habitat works Tree management LBH contracted supplier 20,320 Scrub removal LBH contracted supplier 1,200 Feasibility study Baseline feasibility study & reporting Cartographer 10,000 Other Project Management Fees 3,262 Total £34,782 Financial Implications (Cranford Park E nvironmental I mprovements Budget £35k, Previously Released Nil , Capital Release Requested £35k) – Appendix A In December 2023 , a recommendation is being presented to Cabinet to accept a £35k grant funding from the Groundwork London from the Crane Valley Project fund for the Cranford Park environmental improvement project. No match funding is requested. The report seeks the release of £35 k for the Cranford Park environmental improvement project, which includes habitat works and feasibility study, fully financed from grant. The release request includes quotations from the green spaces term contractors and internal project management fees. The project will be reported as part of the Environmental and Recreation Initiatives Programme once capital release is approved. RESIDENT BENEFIT & CONSULTATION The benefit or impact upon Hillingdon residents, service users and communities The Council and its partners are committed to making the B orough a cleaner, greener and safer environment. Improving existing habitats in this well-preserved Conservation Area and creating a buffer zone with new habitats in the adjacent fields will increase the wildlife value of the site and benefit the whole corridor. The project will create a more varied and positive use of the land and water courses, increasing the site’s overall biodiversity and ecological resilience whilst retaining a peaceful place for people to relax and enjoy. This project is also consistent with Hillingdon’s Strategic Climate Change Action Plan and Carbon offsetting: Capital Release Report – 4 December 2023 Page 5 Part I - Public “Responding to the climate emergency is not just about reducing or removing carbon emissions. It is about recognising a much wider threat across all aspects of our environment. We are responsible for large sections of open areas and waterways that are an extremely important for wildlife and, amenity for residents. We can find better ways to use green and open space to support flora and fauna, manage flooding, integrate trees and planting schemes into urban environments and re-establish wildlife corridors.” C7 Carbon offsetting C7.4 Understand and increase current carbon sequestration through increased planting and changes to green space management. C7.5 Increase the number of trees, particularly in urban areas to complement objectives to improve air quality and promote urban wildlife. C7.6 To exploit opportunities to increase carbon sequestration to maximise opportunities for biodiversity and flood risk management. CORPORATE CONSIDERATIONS Corporate Finance Corporate Finance concurs with the financial implications set out above, noting the recommendation to release £35k for the Cranford Park environmental improvement project, which will be funded from Smarter Water Catchment Grant, which is subject to Cabinet Acceptance of the grant being proposed at December Cabinet. If the grant is accepted, this release request will have no impact on Council resources. Legal Legal Services confirm that the Council is responsible for carry ing out this function pursuant to section 164 of the Public Health Act 1875 and section 10 of the Open Spaces Act 1906 . Thus, there are no legal impediments to the recommended capital release for Cranford Park environmental improvements being authorised, although any contract that is entered into must comply with the Council's Procurement and Contract Standing Orders. The Council, in managing trees, must ensure that it acts in accordance with any tree preservation orders that have been granted under sections 198 or 202 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and any restrictions applicable to trees in conservation areas under section 211 of that same Act. Pursuant to regulation 13 of the Town and Country Planning (Tree Preservation) (England) Regulations 2012, a ny tree subject to a tree preservation order must not be cut down, topped, lopped, uprooted, or wilfully damaged or destroyed unless an excep tion in the R egulations applies. Infrastructure / Asset Management There are no Infrastructure / Asset Management implications arising from the recommendation in this report. Capital Release Report – 4 December 2023 Page 6 Part I - Public Capital Release Protocol The release of all capital funds, and certain revenue funds, held by the Council is to be made by a formal democratic decision by the Cabinet Member for Finance. No expenditure can be placed or committed by officers until this formal approval is given by Democratic Services. Release of funds must be for identified projects only and strictly not for the general release of funds for projects to be identified at a later date. No block releases of capital or funding will be allowed, except if authorised by the Leader of the Council in advance to Corporate Finance. The release of funds will only be made if previous Council, Cabinet or Cabinet Member agreement has been given to the project and only if there is an approved budget. BACKGROUND PAPERS NIL. Capital Release Report – 4 December 2023 Page 7 Part I - Public CAPITAL RELEASE APPENDIX A Cranford Park Environmental Improvements 2023/24 Location (Ward) Project / Expenditure Title Information Funds Release Sought £000s Approve Hold More Information Required Heathrow Villages Cranford Park environmental improvements Cranford Park environmental improvements 35 Total seeking release 35 Previously released 0 Budget 35 Remaining budget 0
View Decision / Minutes Text
Executive Decision Notice – 15 January 2024 Page 1
This notice is a public document also available to view on the Council's website www.hillingdon.gov.uk
OFFICIAL EXECUTIVE DECISION NOTICE
PUBLISHED BY DEMOCRATIC SERVICES
Notice is hereby given that the following decision(s) have been made today by
Cabinet Members at the London Borough of Hillingdon:
Title of decision
CAPITAL RELEASE REPORT (December 2023)
DEPARTMENT: Residents’ Services SERVICE AREA /
PROGRAMME: Environmental & Recreational Initiatives:
Cranford Park Environmental Improvements Project
Reference No. 982
Date of decision Wednesday 17 January 2024
Call-in expiry date Wednesday 24 January 2024
Relevant Select
Committee
Residents’ Services Select Committee
Relevant Wards Heathrow Villages
Decision made
Cabinet Members
making the decision
Councillor Martin Goddard – Cabinet Member for Finance
Councillor Eddie Lavery – Cabinet Member for Residents’
Services
Decision Approved
That the Cabinet Member for Finance and the Cabinet
Member for Residents’ Services approved the project and
capital release request of £35k budget fully funded by
Smarter Water Catchment Grant for the Cranford Park
environmental improvement project (Appendix A).
Reason for decision The ‘Cranford Park environmental improvements’ aim to
improve the biodiversity and nature conservation value of an
important water network within Cranford Park, targeting ditches
and the River Crane.
Alternative options
considered and
rejected
The Cabinet Members may have agreed to fund the scheme and
/ or suggest alternative projects to which funds could be
allocated within the terms of the relevant legal agreements.
Classification Part I – Public
Link to associated
report
Report
Relevant Officer
contact & Directorate
Jennifer Hedges – Place Directorate
Any interest declared
by the Cabinet
N/A
Executive Decision Notice – 15 January 2024 Page 2
This notice is a public document also available to view on the Council's website www.hillingdon.gov.uk
Member(s) /
dispensation granted
Implementation of decision & scrutiny call-in
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When can this
decision be
implemented by
officers?
Officers can implement Cabinet Member decision in this notice only
from the expiry of the scrutiny call-in period which is:
5pm on Wednesday 24 January 2024
However, this is subject to the decision not being called in by
Councillors on the relevant Select Committee. Upon receipt of a
valid call-in request, Democratic Services will immediately advise
the relevant officer(s) and the decision must then be put on hold.
Councillor scrutiny
call-in of this
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Councillors on the relevant Select Committee shown in this notice
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expiry of the scrutiny call-in period above.
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Further information These decisions, where applicable, have been taken under The
Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access
to Information) (England) Regulations 2012.
This is the formal notice by the Council of the above executive
decision, including links to the reports where applicable.
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Council’s website.
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