To receive an update on the review of the lighting at Grenfell Park.

David Scott, Head of Communities, gave an update report. The item had been presented to the Panel as a resident suggestion and after discussing the Panel agreed that it would be appropriate for the issue to be considered by the Grenfell Park User Group. The group had been established for a while and it was fortunate that the Group was able to meet at the beginning of March 2020, just before the national lockdown. The issue of the lighting in the park was discussed and the issues that were raised by the group were to suggest would be developed and suggested. The officers have therefore progressed those.

The Parks and Countryside Officer, Jackie Wheeler had been engaged in doing that including some work with the tree officer to revisit the assessment that was undertaken in the last site-specific tree survey and there were some works programmed and Members were probably aware that there was a refresh on the five-year leap cycle and so this was an opportunity for an interim update which was done, and as a result some minor works had been ordered by the tree officer to address some of the interfering overgrowth that there had now been improved therefore light distribution particularly in relation to the light columns on the central path. Also, a significant hanging branch from the large lime tree in the corner of the park had been addressed. Other works had been done or were in the process of being done either by Tivoli as the main grounds maintenance contract for the borough or through volunteers who could assist with simple tasks. A significant defect was found in a large beech tree in the south western corner of the park and due to rot the arrangements had been made for the felling of that tree for safety reasons. The other element was in relation to the small car park area that’s on the south eastern corner, off Grenfell Road, this was still work in progress. There was a suggestion that motion sensitive lighting could be used, however it was considered that this was not realistic given that it could be triggered and indeed may cause more problems and disruption by lights going on and off at all sorts of hours rather than a fixed lighting and some more work was being done. It looks like a couple of columns in that corner and that could be done by trenching round through the soft ground in the park, adjacent to the car park surfaced area and that bit of work was still being progressed.

Councillor Bhangra confirmed that at the last meeting in March the group had discussed the lighting as it was quite poor, and Jacqui Wheeler had the issues in hand.

Councillor Singh wanted to raise some resident concerns as the lighting issue had been going on for a couple of winters. Councillor Singh said that residents understood that motion sensitive lighting was not appropriate and that they had suggested solar powered lighting and if this would work in that part of the car park. David Scott would ask for this to be looked into this and ask for an update to Councillor Singh by email. Councillor Singh had met Jackie Wheeler on site and was very grateful for that. Councillor Singh wanted to know if any designs had been made and he would like to see them and be involved.

ACTION: David Scott to review the designs with the Lead Member and then would update Councillor Singh.

ACTION: The detail be discussed with the Ward Members, Councillor Singh and Councillor Stimson and then progress to avoid delay.

Councillor Bhangra suggested that the information be brought back to the user group and officers.

Councillor Stimson, Lead Member for Parks and Countryside, reminded the Panel that finances also needed to be considered before any work was carried out. They would all work together to resolve the issues.