The King George's Field Charity Board met on Wednesday 19 August 2026 to discuss the fees and charges for the Art and Ecology Pavilions, review end-of-year accounts, and receive an update on leases. The Board noted the financial and activity update, and agreed to determine the Fees and Charges Review Report and the Leases Update.

Fees and Charges Review Report

The Board discussed proposed increases to the hire charges for the Art and Ecology Pavilions in Mile End Park. These increases are intended to help cover rising maintenance and operational costs, with a proposed 3.3% rise in line with inflation for most charges. Specific increases of 10% for non-subsidised exhibitions and 5% for subsidised exhibitions were also proposed. The report highlighted that no fee increases were applied for the 2025/26 financial year, and the pavilions had previously seen an 11.4% uplift in 2024/25.

During the discussion, Councillor Sabina Akhtar raised concerns about the pricing of the Art Pavilion, stating, the Arts Pavilion, people don't want to book it because of the price. I'm just saying if you increase it again, kind of, how we're going to really attract the community kind of book for everyday events. Mayor Lutfur Rahman, however, defended the proposed increases, noting that they were modest given the facilities and location, and that the prices remained competitive when compared to similar venues. He also suggested a focus on promotion.

Further discussion included the introduction of a discounted rate for block bookings, a half-day weekend booking option, and a 20% discount for Tower Hamlets residents. The Board also considered the catering arrangements for the pavilions, with clarification that any caterer could be used, provided they met health and safety standards. The report included a benchmarking exercise comparing the pavilion hire rates with other venues in the area, such as Hackney Town Hall and Trinity Buoy Wharf, concluding that the proposed rates would remain competitive. The Board agreed to the recommendation to approve the proposed hire charge increases.

End of Year Accounts, Finance, Activity and Governance Update

The Board received an update on the financial forecast for 2026/27 and a summary of activities delivered in the fourth quarter of 2025/26. The report indicated that the 2025/26 year-end outturn was being finalised, with a balanced financial position expected for 2026-27.

Activities delivered in the fourth quarter included over 970 sessions across key facilities like Stay & Play, Whitehorse Adventure Playground, and Stepney Green Astroturf, with participation exceeding 29,000 attendances. The Art Pavilion hosted exhibitions involving 15 Tower Hamlets secondary schools, alongside community arts programmes. The Ecology Pavilion hosted NHS Blood and Transplant sessions and arts networking events. The report detailed how these activities contributed to improved health and wellbeing, cultural engagement, and community cohesion. The Board noted this update.

Leases Update, King George's Field Trust (KGFT)

This item provided an update on the lease arrangements for retail and rental units owned by the King George's Field Trust (KGFT), the income from which supports the maintenance of park land and amenities. The report detailed the current situation with various tenants, including arrears for Tenant A, an assignment request from Tenant B, a lease renewal notice from Tenant C, and notice to end a tenancy from Tenant D. It also noted a rent review for Tenant E and ongoing rent reviews for arches in Burdett Road. The Board was asked to note these updates, and the decision was For Determination.

Terms of Reference of the King George's Field Charity Board

The Board noted its terms of reference, membership, and quorum for the 2026/2027 municipal year. These terms of reference outline the Board's role in administering the affairs of the King George's Field, Mile End charity, and the King George's Field – Stepney (Tredegar Square, Bow) charity. The membership consists of all Members of the Cabinet, with a quorum of three members. The report also listed the scheduled meeting dates for the remainder of the year.