Open Spaces Committee
1. Purpose
The Open Spaces Committee operates within the constititution of the Battersea Society, whose objects are to conserve and improve the amenities of Battersea, more particularly by:
a) stimulating interest in the history, character and traditions of Battersea;
b) encouraging and promoting good architecture, town planning and civic design; environmental management including the planting and care of trees and reductions in air pollution; conservation and proper maintenance of Battersea’s buildings, open spaces, public realm and other features of historic or public interest; and effective provision and management of travel and transport;
c) engaging in, and promoting awareness of, issues of concern to the community;
d) making representations to the proper authorities on these subjects.
In furtherance of those objects the Society's powers include:
1) Promoting civic pride in Battersea.
2) Reviewing and, where appropriate, commenting upon planning issues in Battersea and surrounding areas.
3) Working constructively with local authorities, planning committees, and all other statutory authorities, voluntary organisations, charities, and persons having aims similar to those of the Society.
4) Publishing papers, reports and other literature.
Bearing these objects and powers in mind, and focussing on Battersea's open spaces, street trees, Thames Path and associated aspects of the natural environment and public realm, the Open Spaces Committee's Purpose is:
• To promote, protect and help improve Battersea's open spaces, street trees and other natural resources;
• To monitor their provision, use and management, ensuring that these conform to best practice and offer recreational opportunities promoting health and wellbeing;
• To monitor any new developments with the potential to affect them, ensuring that these would be compatible with climate change mitigation and Net Zero objectives;
• To advocate for further new provision of public greenspace, bluespace, trees and other greening measures, to enhance our growing local community's quality of life and contribute to biodiversity gain;
• To encourage a creative and co-ordinated approach for the future, including the better connection of currently fragmented greenspace, bluespace and other natural resources both to benefit biodiversity, and to enhance active travel (i.e. walking and cycling) opportunities within Battersea.
To this end, it will:
• Review and where appropriate comment on relevant Wandsworth Council and Enable Leisure & Culture policies, strategies, management plans and planning applications;
• Work constructively with Wandsworth, Enable, the Friends' organisations of Battersea Park and Clapham and Wandsworth Commons, the Wandsworth Tree Wardens, the West London River Group and any other relevant statutory authorities, business and voluntary organisations, charities and persons having aims in common with the Society;
• Inform and engage with Society members and the wider public through Battersea Matters, the Society website, the annual report to the AGM, and such other publications and events as may be appropriate.
2. Membership and appointment
• All committee members will be members of the Battersea Society.
• At least one committee member will also be a trustee of the Battersea Society.
• Prospective members will be invited to attend a first committee meeting as observers, proceeding to appointment thereafter if desired.
• The committee will elect as its officers a Chair, and a Secretary (at present Clare Graham serves as both).
• There is no term to appointment for either members or officials.
• A member who is absent from two successive meetings of the Committee without an explanation which the Committee approves shall cease to be a member of the Committee.
3. Meetings
• No term has been set to the existence of the committee.
• It will meet at least six times in each calendar year. Currently meetings are usually held on the second Monday afternoon of the month in February, April, June, August, October and December.
• The presence of a third of the committee membership will constitute a quorum.
• Decision making will be by consensus, i.e. the unanimous or majority agreement of committee members following discussion. Where opinions are evenly split the Chair may be given a casting vote.
4. Minutes
• Minutes of each meeting will be recorded by the Secretary or a delegate.
• A draft will then be circulated to OSC members for comments and corrections.
• The final version will be circulated to OSC members, Battersea Society trustees and the chairs of other Battersea Society committees.
5. Reporting/Relationship
• The Committee reports to the Board of Trustees on matters relating to its purpose and responsibility.
• The committee will maintain regular communication with the Board through its trustee member.
• Once or twice a year its Chair may also be asked to attend a Board meeting in person.
Agreed by the Committee
12 June 2023