This week, the City of London Corporation’s Natural Environment Board welcomed a wide range of external guests and stakeholders to the Guildhall to unveil its four new strategies. These are corporate strategies, which will apply across each of the open spaces and city gardens charities, in addition to their own local requirements and objectives. They are:
- Nature Conservation and Resilience: NE Division strategy Nature Conservation and Resilience.pdf (cityoflondon.gov.uk)
- Access and Recreation: NE Division strategy Access and Recreation nov23.pdf (cityoflondon.gov.uk)
- Culture, Heritage and Learning: NE Division strategy Culture Heritage and Learning FINAL.pdf (cityoflondon.gov.uk)
- Community Engagement: NE Division strategy_Community Engagement_final.pdf (cityoflondon.gov.uk)
We were particularly delighted to welcome Rt Hon Dame Eleanor Laing MP as guest of honour. In addition to her duties as Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons, Dame Eleanor has been the Member of Parliament for Epping Forest for 27 years and spoke about her personal experience working alongside the City Corporation to protect and enhance Epping Forest. She spoke passionately about the importance of conserving green spaces and the value they bring to her constituents, many of whom are local volunteers.
Wonderfully creative performances were given the City of London School for Girls, City of London School and City Junior School.
Aligned to the new strategies, the Natural Environment Board is looking for industry leaders in nature conservation and resilience, access and recreation, culture, heritage and learning and community engagement, to help us deliver our vision over the next few years. A job specification has been drawn up below and I would encourage anyone interested to reach out for a chat.
External Advisors, Natural Environment Board
Term: We are looking for up to 4 Advisors with terms ranging from 2-4 years.
Hours: Time allocated needs to be each Board meeting, preferably in person, 4-5 times per year (there is a virtual option) plus attendance at any awaydays and site visits.
Location: Guildhall Gresham Street, London, EC2V 5AF
Job Details
The City of London Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally-successful UK.
The Natural Environment Board is responsible for strategic oversight of the City Corporation’s open spaces and the management of its gardens, churchyards, and green spaces in the Square Mile. The City Corporation owns and manages over 11,000 acres of open space in London and south east England, including Epping Forest and Hampstead Heath, and over 200 smaller sites in the Square Mile, investing over £38m a year in their conservation, management and enhancement.
We are seeking up to four individuals with relevant experience in the private or public sector and with a passion for the natural environment to serve on our Natural Environment Board. Good communication and questioning skills are vital as is the ability to contribute to the strategic direction and oversight of the Corporation’s Natural Environment work.
Candidates will share our vision of open spaces that are rich in diversity, conserving nature, creating memories, and enhancing lives. They’ll be passionate about the natural environment and able to demonstrate an active commitment to at least one of our four strategic priority themes: Nature conservation & Resilience, Community Engagement, Access & Recreation, and Culture, Heritage & Learning. They’ll possess experience of working in collaborative partnerships and have worked at Trustee or equivalent level within the environmental or charity sector. They’ll also be skilled in initiating change and policy development within their chosen professional area of expertise, given that we will be implementing our new Natural Environment Vision, Mission and Strategies from 2024.
The Board is particularly interested in hearing from candidates who can demonstrate a commitment to diversity and social mobility.
Key Responsibilities:
The roles and responsibilities of a Natural Environment External Advisor are as follows:
- To monitor and review the City Corporation’s Strategies Nature Conservation & Resilience, Community Engagement, Access & Recreation and Culture, Heritage & Learning
- To input into strategic discussions at Board meetings, especially around our four strategic areas;
- To bring added value to the skills we already have amongst Board members;
- To reflect an interest in and the sustainability around our green and natural spaces;
- To be responsible for the distribution of funds specifically allocated to it for Natural Environment purposes, in accordance with the City of London Corporation’s strategic policies;
- To participate in any committee, panel, or special interest area to which they are appointed on behalf of the Natural Environment Board;
- To develop and maintain a working knowledge of the City Corporation’s services, management arrangements, powers, duties and resource constraints;
- To develop and maintain a good knowledge of the Natural Environment Strategies, Education Strategy, Cultural and Creative Learning Strategy, and Skills Strategy, as well as the corporate polices of the City Corporation;
- To establish constructive partnerships and co-sponsors;
- to adhere to the City Corporation’s code of conduct and Seven Principles of Public Life.
Person specification:
An experienced strategic thinker with a knowledge of the City of London Corporation and its record in managing its open spaces alongside an enthusiasm for the outdoor world and the benefits it offers.
If you are interested in being considered for one these important roles, or have any questions, please contact Caroline.Haines@cityoflondon.gov.uk with a cover letter and CV. The closing date for the receipt of completed application forms is midday on 19 February 2024
The City Corporation has a special role and wide remit that goes beyond that of an ordinary local authority. We look after the City of London on behalf of all who live, work and visit here and have three primary functions.
