The Natural Environment Board of the City of London Corporation met on the 10th of December 2024. The meeting included discussion of the King George V Playing Fields, a presentation on Biophilic Evidence Based Design, and a report on the state of the City Gardens.

King George V Playing Fields

The committee were provided with the King George’s Field - City of London Trustee’s Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024.

Biophilic Evidence Based Design

The committee were scheduled to receive a presentation on Biophilic Evidence Based Design and Integrating Nature for Longevity from Niall McEvoy, of Viritopia.¹

City Gardens

The committee were scheduled to receive a number of reports on the City Gardens. These included an update on the progress of works, and a new policy for events held in the gardens.

City Gardens Events

The committee were asked to approve the City Gardens Event Policy and Fees and Charges for 25/26. This report proposed a number of changes to the City Gardens Events Policy, which are summarised below:

• A new categorisation of events into 'minor' and 'major' events. Major events are defined as those with over 500 attendees or events lasting several days that have a significant impact on the site.
• A new category of cultural event was introduced. These events are defined as free public events that, enhance or activate the space in different ways. Examples given in the policy include music, performance and lighting events. The policy proposes cultural events receive a discount to the usual hire fee. The amount of the discount will vary based on the nature of the event.
• A new appendix specifically for Finsbury Circus Gardens, covering specific byelaws and other constraints for the gardens.

The policy goes on to say that, The majority of City gardens are less than two hectares in size and therefore can only accommodate small events, performances and activities, and that, Finsbury Circus is the only garden that can accommodate major events.

The report also proposed increases to existing fees and charges for events in the City Gardens. These included an increase in line with the Retail Price Index, and a new Exercise Class category. It also proposed a new fee structure for Finsbury Circus Gardens, with the following charges:

• Private Hire/Commercial & Corporate Events: £7,500 per day
• Non Profit/Charity Events: £3,750 per day

City Gardens Update

The committee were scheduled to receive an update on the City Gardens. This included discussion of the planned opening of Finsbury Circus Gardens, the progress of works at Tower Hill Playground, the work of the Friends of City Gardens group, and a scheme to commemorate Catherine Blake² at Bunhill Fields Cemetery.

The report stated that the opening of Finsbury Circus Gardens was likely to be in early February 2025. It also provided a timetable for the development of the new Tower Hill Playground, with the aim of completing the playground during summer 2025. It also noted that a new “Keeper” had been recruited for Bunhill Fields, with a focus on promoting responsible dog ownership.

The report stated that the Blake Society were developing a proposal for a memorial to Catherine Blake and that the Natural Environment Board would be kept informed of developments. It also noted that a new Gardener (Volunteer Facilitator) had been recruited, and that City Gardens were developing a programme of corporate volunteering days.

Climate Action Strategy

The Committee were scheduled to receive a report on the progress of the Climate Action Strategy, Cool Streets and Greening Programme – Phase 3 City Greening and Biodiversity (Fann Street and St Peter Westcheap) programme. This report asked the committee to approve a budget adjustment, a number of designs, and funding strategies for two projects: one on Fann Street and another at St Peter Westcheap Churchyard.

Fann Street

The report proposed replacing the existing concrete planters on Fann Street with in-ground planting beds, and a new area of permeable paving. These would, provide the existing and proposed greening with an improved catchment area for surface water. The planting beds would consist of flower rich perennials to encourage biodiversity, and the scheme will, review a series of biodiversity enhancement measures including the installation of bee posts and loggeries.³ The report stated that, The site is within one of the City Greening and Biodiversity green corridor priority areas, and that it would have a positive environmental and social impact.

St Peter Westcheap

The report described the current state of the churchyard as, dated, restricted, uninviting, unkempt, and proposed replacing the existing concrete paviours with natural stone and reconfiguring the existing planters. This would improve the garden, by redesigning the space into a more user-friendly environment. Existing benches would also be replaced using reclaimed timber.

Other Items

The committee were also scheduled to receive a verbal update on the progress of the City of London Natural Environment Youth Board from Simon Lightman of King Edward's Witley⁴. They were also scheduled to receive a verbal update on the work of the Assistant Director of Charity Development. The report stated that the main themes for the Assistant Director would be financial models, income generation and the use of assets.

The committee were scheduled to receive the Assistant Director Culture and Project’s Update Report Q2: July-September 2024, which summarised the work of the Culture and Projects section of the Natural Environment Division. The report stated that the section was responsible for the Natural Environment Learning Team, the Heritage and Museums Team, and the Carbon Removals Project Team.

Finally, the committee were scheduled to receive a report on the Environment Department high-level Business Plan 2024/25 – Progress Report (Mid-Year). This report summarised the progress of the Natural Environment Division and the City Gardens Team towards the goals set out in the high-level business plan for the Environment Department.