The Natural Environment Board met on 23 October 2025, receiving updates on the Climate Action Strategy, revenue and expenditure, and the City Gardens Tree programme. The board agreed to extend the Cool Streets and Greening programme, and to reallocate funds to the Fann Street and St Peter Westcheap projects.

Here's a more detailed look at the key discussion points:

• [Cool Streets and Greening Programme][Cool Streets and Greening Programme Report] The committee discussed the Cool Streets and Greening (CSG) programme, which aims to make public spaces and infrastructure more resilient to climate change. The programme is structured around five phases:

  • Pilot projects
  • Developed projects
  • City greening and biodiversity
  • Sustainable drainage projects (SuDS)
  • Green and Blue Links

  To date, 30 projects have been completed. The committee noted the extension of the programme timeframes by 12 months to March 2027, and also approved the reallocation of £110,000 to the Fann Street project and £70,000 to the St Peter Westcheap project from underspends in other completed projects. A budget of £100,000 was also agreed to develop designs for Phase Five projects. The report noted that £700,000 of the budget would be held as commuted sums¹ once the programme is completed. The committee reviewed lessons learned from completed projects, including the success of drought-resistant planting designs and the importance of stakeholder engagement. [Appendix 4 Progress report photos and visuals] to the report showed the progress of the project.

  The report noted that the programme had been shortlisted for an award under the public space category of the New London Architecture Awards.

• [Gateway 6 Outcome Report - Finsbury Circus Western Arm Re-landscaping][Gateway 6 Outcome Report - Finsbury Circus Western Arm Re-landscaping] The committee received an outcome report on the Finsbury Circus Western Arm relandscaping project, which was part of the wider Moorgate Crossrail Station Links project. The project delivered an enhanced public space with new greenery, trees, planting beds, seating and climate resilient measures. The committee approved the content of the report, authorised the return of unspent project funds to the Cool Streets and Greening Programme, and agreed to close the Finsbury Circus Western Arm project. The report noted that a key learning from the project was the importance of identifying design and construction risks early, and engaging with stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.

• [Natural Environment Board Revenue Outturn 2024-25][Natural Environment Board Outturn 2024-25] The committee reviewed the revenue outturn for the services overseen by the board in 2024/25. Actual net expenditure totalled £3.443m, an adverse budget variance of £285k compared with the final budget of £3.158m. The overspend was attributed to additional costs at City Gardens, and projects managed by the City Surveyor. The underspend on the Natural Environment Directorate's local risk budget was due to vacant posts not being filled and the Director's contingency budget not being fully utilised. The committee noted the report.

• [Finance Progress Report Q1 2025-26][Finance Progress Report Q1 2025-26] The committee received an update on the operational finance position for Quarter 1 2025/26 for the Natural Environment Division's revenue budget. The report projected a net overspend of £406k for 2025/26, mainly due to income from admissions to The Monument not returning to pre-pandemic levels, an overspend on employment budgets at City Gardens, and overspends on budgets managed by the Highways Division. The projected overspend was partly mitigated by an underspend at Hampstead Heath, due to additional income from filming and savings in employment costs. The committee noted the content of the report.

• [Enjoying Green Spaces and the Natural Environment Oct 2025][Enjoying Green Spaces and the Natural Environment Oct 2025] The committee received the annual report on the Enjoying Green Spaces and the Natural Environment (EGS) fund, which provides grants for projects that improve the conservation value of green spaces and/or improve knowledge of biodiversity. In 2024/25, seven grants were awarded totalling £73,540. The report also provided an analysis of grants awarded over the last five years, illustrating the contribution of the EGS in delivering key strategies and corporate plan outcomes. The committee noted the allocation of grants for 2024-25, and the key findings of the analysis of the EGS funding programme over the last five years.

• [City Gardens Tree Annual Update][City Gardens Tree Annual Update] The committee received the first annual report on the state of the City's Urban Forest. The report outlined that City Gardens manages approximately 1,800 trees, with 70% classified as being in good condition. In 2024–25, 79 new trees were planted and 11 removed, a net growth in tree numbers of 68. The main challenge remains the limited space for new planting in the City's dense urban fabric. The committee noted the report.

• Risk Management Update The committee received a report of the Executive Director, Environment that sought to provide assurance that risk management procedures in place within the Environment Department were satisfactory and that they meet the requirements of the Corporate Risk Management Framework and, where applicable, the Charities Act 2011. The Chair acknowledged that work-related stress among staff was a recurring risk across Natural Environment Charities. A Member observed that while work-related stress was listed on the risk register for the North London Open Spaces Committees, it did not appear on the risk register for the Natural Environment Board, and queried how the risk registers for these committees were aligned. Officers confirmed that this would be considered during the next review of the Natural Environment Board's risk register. A Member highlighted the need for caution when addressing the matter of work-related stress, noting its complexity, and emphasised the importance of clearly identifying the specific source of stress before determining how it should be addressed. The committee considered and noted the content of the report and the Natural Environment Cross Divisional Summary Risk Register, and the City Gardens Summary Risk Register.

• Climate Action Strategy Update The committee received a presentation from the Innovation and Growth Department about the Climate Action Strategy. The Chair sought clarification on whether 10% of the City Corporation's tree sequestration remained at risk, despite the mitigation measures implemented. Officers responded that the actions taken were helping to alleviate the risk, and noted that the calculations were based on estimates, which allowed for a degree of variance. A Member commented that they must clearly communicate the environmental and financial benefits of the work across the open spaces, and emphasised the importance of framing this work not as something being imposed by the City Corporation, but as a valuable contribution to each charity's objectives, highlighting improvements such as soil health, longevity of ancient trees and cost efficiencies. Officers confirmed that this work was being funded from the central fund through the Climate Action Strategy. Another Member noted the success of the recent international conference on veteran trees, and that they needed to continue to promote the message that the City Corporation were international leaders in that space. Members commended the success of the international conference at Burnham Beeches. A Member emphasised the importance of engaging not only with other industry leaders, but also of considering the next steps in relation to policy. The Member also noted an upcoming event being held at Copped Hall on Monday 13 October 2025 and encouraged Members to attend. A Member commented that natural resources such as wood chips were useful in protecting the roots of trees as it discouraged people from walking in those areas. Another Member noted that in some sites they were allowing brambles to grow around the roots to achieve a similar effect. It was noted that using natural resources in this way was a creative and cost-effective approach that reduced the need for interventions such as fencing. A Member sought clarity on whether the 210 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide equivalent in additional sequestration was a target for 2027 or if it was a measurement of what had been achieved. They also asked what was expected to happen following 2027. Officers confirmed that it was a target to achieve 210 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide equivalent in additional sequestration by March 2027, and that the largest component of this would be the transition from arable to meadow land at Copped Hall. Officers also noted that they were assessing what would be done after 2027, and were in discussion with site managers at various open spaces to identify future opportunities. The committee received the presentation and noted its contents.

• Environment Department High-Level Business Plan 2024/25 – Year-End Progress Report The committee received a report of the Executive Director, Environment which provided an update on progress made by the Natural Environment Division and the City Gardens Team towards delivery of the Environment Department's highlevel Business Plan 2024/25. A Member suggested that the report should begin to function as an impact report, clearly demonstrating how the corporate strategy was being delivered, and expressed concern that the current format was not achieving the intended outcome. The Chair agreed and proposed that a separate session be arranged to explore a framework that could be recommended to Officers to support this approach. The committee received the report and noted its contents.

• Natural Environment Charity Review – Update on Fundraising Workstreams The committee received a report of the Chamberlain and Executive Director, Environment which detailed the progress since 2024 and the next stages of this workplan. The Chair noted that the slides from the briefing on Biodiversity Net Gain which was held on 24 June 2025 would be circulated to Members. The committee received the report and noted its contents.

• Assets Update The Committee received a verbal update from Officers of the Environment Department about the work carried out on charity and complementary land assets. A Member, also the Deputy Chair of the Epping Forest and Commons Committee commented that there was a desire to continue to refer to the Epping Forest Buffer Land as such, whilst referring to complementary land across the Natural Environment Charities, and noted that there was some cross over in the report between these two terms in the update. The committee noted the verbal update.

• City Gardens Update The committee received a verbal update on City Gardens from Officers from the Environment Department which provided an update on City Gardens projects. A Member congratulated the City Gardens team on their work, noting that Little Trinity Gardens had attracted many people, and its proximity to Thames River, and commented that signage to the river would be useful for visitors. The Chair agreed and commented that technology should also be embraced in the move to encourage people to explore different parts of the Square Mile. The Member also commented that City Gardens should have a higher profile within the Destination City growth strategy. The Chair noted that he would be meeting with the Deputy Chair and Officers to discuss how to move this forward. Officers commented that their position and priorities within Destination City was beginning to evolve, and that they were in discussion about what they would like to draw people towards within the Square Mile, and what wayfinding should direct people towards. Officers also noted the proposed changes to project governance, noting that they aim to streamline the progression of smaller-scale projects, particularly relevant to work in City Gardens, and that the changes would reduce the need for frequent committee reports and Member signoff, shifting the focus towards more strategic engagement with Ward Members and the Committee. The Officer emphasised the importance of ensuring that Board Members remain well-briefed and had opportunities to contribute meaningfully, both as representatives of the Board and as Ward Members. A Member queried how the Natural Environment Division's digital strategy connected with broader initiatives such as Destination City, and suggested that there may be scope for policy development to better align this work. They also highlighted the effective use of interpretive signage in the gardens at Buckingham Palace, where plant species and their ecological roles were clearly explained, and suggested that similar storytelling could be explored across City Gardens to better communicate the rationale behind planting choices, particularly in relation to the Climate Action Strategy. Officers responded that interpretative signage for Finsbury Circus Gardens was being finalised, and that they would consider if there was an opportunity to introduce this signage in other gardens. The Member also noted that constituents had expressed missing the 'Geoffrey Barkington' stone bench, which commemorated the historical origins of Houndsditch, and asked whether interpretive work could be undertaken to help communicate and preserve the story of Houndsditch in the area. Officers responded that they would consider this and respond in due course. With regard to income generation, a Member expressed interest in exploring potential opportunities within City Gardens, including advertising, naming rights, and tour guide services. In response, Officers noted that institutions had approached them regarding sponsorship and naming rights for events at Finsbury Circus Gardens, and mentioned the possibility of introducing a coffee cart in the gardens as a means of generating income. They noted that large-scale events would not be held in the garden this year due to the potential impact it could have on the newly established lawn. Officers also noted that, while there had been interest in exploring income generation through advertising, longstanding City Corporation policies, including the Local Plan, contained a presumption against such activity, and suggested that branding sponsorship could be considered separately and may offer a more suitable route for City Gardens. The committee noted the verbal update.