Agenda item
Aberfeldy Pocket Park - Grant offer to Poplar HARCA using Local Infrastructure Fund (LIF) to support the design and delivery of a pocket park, public realm improvements and engagement near Dee Street
Minutes:
Nicoletta Vianello, (Principal Air Quality Officer, Place) presented this report.
The report sought permission for the Council to allocate grant funding from the LIF, specifically allocated for green infrastructure projects in LIF Area 3 (Poplar and Limehouse). This was for the purposes to design and deliver the Aberfeldy Pocket park.
This project would be delivered in partnership with Poplar HARCA, who were leading the regeneration of Aberfeldy estate, as part of the Aberfeldy LLP (a joint venture between Poplar HARCA and EcoWorld).
The Council is currently working in partnership with Poplar HARCA on several air quality, climate change and active travel initiatives. The land was owned by TfL.
The Sub – Committee noted the questions submitted by Councillor Leema Qureshi, Scrutiny Lead Resources regarding the following issues :
• The forecasted costs of the project and the potential reallocation of the any contingency surplus.
• In response - Alex Jeremy – Poplar HARCA, addressed these points. Members noted that careful consideration had been given to the costs of the project, with the aim of ensuring it could be delivered as efficiently and as cost affectively as possible and that it will be a well designed project. Any surplus would be reallocated to the budget. Most of the budget would go towards the provision of the physical green infrastructure with allowances for other necessary activities which were noted. It was also noted that Aberfeldy LLP were committed to providing match funding.
The Sub Committee discussed a number of issues as set out below:
· Air quality issues – the benefits of the project in terms of improving this. It was confirmed that Research undertaken by the University showed that these projects mitigated air pollution. The Council will carry out testing before and after the project was completed to monitor air quality.
· Officers reassured Members that the parklet would be delivered in the proposed location on a permanent basis. They had no plans to change this. However it was important to have this flexibility, highlighted above, to ensure its continued provision and the Committee were aware of this.
· Crime prevention issues and the involvement of the Crime Prevention experts in the design. It was confirmed that Officers had worked closely with such officers and stakeholders, including TfL who owned the land, regarding the crime and ASB prevention measures. They would continue to work closely with stakeholders in agreeing the final design. TfL had provided initial comments and were satisfied with the plans – subject to final sign off by their crime prevention officer.
· It was considered important to ensure the consultation was as inclusive as possible and Members emphasised the need for consultation with the Community Safety Team.
RESOLVED
1. Authorise the Corporate Director Place to issue a formal offer of grant to Poplar HARCA up to £100,000 of LIF to, to take forward and directly deliver the Aberfeldy Parklet
2. Delegate the Corporate Director Place via the LIF Working Group the power to undertake appropriate actions in respect of all matters concerning the management and monitoring of the grant.
3. Delegate the Corporate Director Place the power to authorise the execution of any agreements necessary to give effect to resolution 1 and 2 above.
4. To note the Equalities Impact Assessment / specific equalities considerations as set out in Paragraph 4 of the report.
Supporting documents: