Issue - meetings

New ten-year management plan has been developed for Prestwick Road Meadows in South Oxhey. The new plan contains management actions over the next ten years from financial year 2026/27 until 2035/36. The detailed actions relate to habitat management, scrub/vegetation management, pond clearance and tree works.

Officers are recommending that this plan is approved by the Climate Change and Leisure Committee and adopted by the Council. Should the plans be approved, Officers will seek to implement the actions within the plans over the next ten years. Work will be completed within existing budgets or subject to external funding.

Recommendation

That the Climate Change and Leisure Committee:

       i.          Adopt the new ten-year Management Plan for Prestwick Road Meadows.

      ii.          Give delegated authority to the Director of Finance to enter into a contract or funding agreement above the value of £25,000, subject to securing external funding to facilitate works to support the implementation of the Management Plans.

     iii.          That public access to the report be immediate.

    iv.          That public access to the decision be immediate.

The Head of Leisure and Natural Infrastructure introduced the report.

Members enquired about the upper limit of the delegation and expressed concern about the need for oversight or committee review even for third-party funded projects. A suggestion was made to amend the recommendation to ensure committee or leadership oversight. The Associate Director for Environment stated that this recommendation has been discussed at the Committee multiple times, and explained that contracts over £100,000 require Full Council approval as per Council Constitution. Procurements over £25,000 are discussed with relevant Lead Members based on project types (leisure, open spaces, finance). Regular scrutiny is provided through the Joint Leadership Team meetings and bi-monthly budget monitoring reports.

Members emphasised the role of Lead Members and Ward Councillors in ongoing communication and oversight, especially for projects like the Aquadrome, where funding often comes with specific conditions, such as National Lottery grants that restrict fund usage to certain community groups. The officer clarified that National Lottery funding must be used as specified, but it is not the sole funding source for projects. Other funding sources allow flexibility beyond grant conditions. Furthermore, relevant Ward Councillors are also briefed on funding opportunities and procurement activities related to management plans.

The Chair suggested background training for Members of the Committee to understand funding and project context.

The conversation also acknowledged challenges in public consultation response rates and the Council’s efforts to better promote biodiversity and park activities through improved communications and Member support in sharing information.

Councillor Chris Lloyd moved the recommendation as set out in the report.

On being put to the committee, the motion was declared CARRIED by the Chair, the voting being For: 6, Against: 0, Abstention: 2.

RESOLVED:

That the Climate Change and Leisure Committee:

       i.          Adopt the new ten-year Management Plan for Prestwick Road Meadows.

      ii.          Give delegated authority to the Director of Finance to enter into a contract or funding agreement above the value of £25,000, subject to securing external funding to facilitate works to support the implementation of the Management Plans.

     iii.          That public access to the report be immediate.

    iv.           That public access to the decision be immediate.