Agenda and draft minutes

To elect a Chair of the Lower Central Gardens Trust Board, until the first meeting of the 2026/27 municipal year.

RESOLVED that Councillor Gillett be elected as Chairman of the Board for the 2025-26 municipal year.

To elect a Vice-Chair of the Lower Central Gardens Trust Board, until the first meeting of the 2026/27 municipal year.

RESOLVED that Councillor Martin be elected as Vice-Chairman of the Board for the 2025-26 municipal year.

To receive any apologies for absence.

There were no apologies for absence received.

Councillors are requested to declare any interests on items included in this agenda. Please refer to the workflow on the preceding page for guidance. Declarations received will be reported at the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive the minutes of the meetings held on 27 January 2025.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 27 January 2025 were confirmed as accurate records and signed by the Chair.

The report provides service update information to the Lower Gardens Trust Board to demonstrate the Council commitment to maintain the public gardens known as "The Lower Central Gardens" in Bournemouth for the recreation and enjoyment of the public in accordance with the terms of the Charity Scheme made by the Charity Commission on the 13 May 2011

Items include:

·       2025 – 26 Event Programme

·       Arts & Makers Market

·       Westover Gardens Kiosk site retendering

·       General Grounds Maintenance

The report provides information to note whilst also seeking support and approval from the board. The report furthermore asks the board to give consideration as to topic items for future reports.

The Director of Environment presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix '?' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The report provided service update information to the Lower Gardens Trust Board to demonstrate the Council's commitment to maintaining the public gardens known as "The Lower Central Gardens" in Bournemouth for the recreation and enjoyment of the public in accordance with the terms of the Charity Scheme made by the Charity Commission on 13 May 2011.

Items included:

·       2025 – 26 Event Programme

·       Arts & Makers Market

·       Westover Gardens Kiosk site retendering

·       General Grounds Maintenance.

The report provided information to note, whilst also seeking support and approval from the board. The report furthermore asked the board to consider topic items for future reports.

The Board considered the update and made the following comments:

·       In response to a query raised regarding the Arts & Makers Market and the day it would be held, the Board was advised that it would take place once a month on a Saturday.

·       The Board noted feedback received from a resident who expressed great satisfaction with the bulb planting and commended the team for their efforts.

·       In response to a query raised about bicycle signage in the gardens, the Board was advised that feedback had been received, and a review of the signage would be undertaken, subject to the available budget.

It was RESOLVED that:

·       The Board authorise Officers to carry out a tendering exercise to seek best value for the Westover Gardens Kiosk operation for between 5- 7 years and, following evaluation of the tenders, to award a lease to operate to the successful applicant.

Subject to the Board’s agreement following their visit to the affected area during the Lower Central Gardens walkaround, it was RESOLVED that:

·       To authorise the minor changes in the current arrangements, to include use of half to the ‘art store’ for storage and subject to any planning permissions to install an additional wooden decking area. To also include within the new lease, subject to approvals, the use of the wider area near the aviary for specific events.

It was RESOLVED that:

c) The Trustees wish to appoint Cllr Jamie Martin as part of the evaluation panel.

In relation to the items of business appearing below, the Committee is asked to consider the following resolution: -

‘That under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 5 in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Act and that the public interest in withholding the information outweighs such interest in disclosing the information.’

RESOLVED that under Section 100 (A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1 and 2 in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Act and that the public interest in withholding the information outweighs such interest in disclosing the information.

The Board received a verbal update regarding a Concession in the Lower Central Gardens.

The Director of Environment  have the Board a verbal update regarding legal action that was being taken again a concession provider within the gardens. The Board were advised of the details of the issues and discussed the update.