Agenda item - Rediscovering the River Colne Programme 2021-2031

Report of the Contract Manager – Parks and Streetcare and the Temporary Parks Project Manager

RESOLVED –

1. That Cabinet approves in principle the proposals for ‘Rediscovering the River Colne 2021 – 2031 as detailed in section 4.4 and appendices 2, 3, 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d to the report.

2. That Cabinet approves the proposals for the programme for 2021 – 2024 as set out in this report.

3. That Cabinet delegates authority to the Head of Community and Environmental Services, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Sustainability to agree priorities within the proposed work streams and funding of the programme.

4. That Cabinet delegates authority to the Head of Community and Environmental Services to finalise the terms of the contracts with Groundwork East and South for the delivery phase of the programme 2021/22.

5. That Cabinet notes the procurement exemption to appoint Groundwork East (Appendix 5 of the report) for the delivery phase of the programme 2021-2022.

6. That Cabinet delegates authority to the Head of Community and Environmental Services to undertake a procurement exercise to secure a delivery partner to carry out works under the programme in the financial years 2022/23 and 2023/24; to award the contract to the successful bidder and to finalise the terms of the contract.

Cabinet received a report of the Contract Manager – Parks and Streetcare which sought approval for a 10-year programme.

The Mayor invited Councillor Stotesbury, Portfolio Holder responsible for Sustainability to introduce the report.

Councillor Stotesbury explained that this was a key environmental programme which delivered on a number of the council’s strategies. The programme would improve the health of the river, engagement with the local community and the health and wellbeing of all. The programme was at the stage where it was moving from developing the programme to beginning its implementation. There were eight sites within the programme and these were shown in the report and the appendices.

Councillor Stotesbury thanked the officers and its partners for their work. He encouraged everyone to support the programme. Further information could be found on the website at - https://www.rivercolnewatford.co.uk/ . The key message was to protect and preserve the river.

The Temporary Parks Project Manager added that an all-Member Briefing had been set up for 10 November when all councillors would be able to find out more about the project.

Councillor Johnson suggested that all councillors should also be encouraged to get involved in the project and be ‘hands on’. The Temporary Parks Project Manager confirmed there would be lots of opportunities for members to get involved.

The Mayor thanked Sandy Belloni and all those who had been working to improve the river in recent years.

Councillor Bell wished to give thanks for the work carried out to the lairage land in his ward. He added that he was still waiting for further information about the dead fish that had been seen in Oxhey Park.

The Temporary Parks Project Manager advised that it had been raised with the Environment Agency but as yet there had been no response. The Contract Manager was chasing the Agency for an answer.