FUNDING capital projects in the park will directly involve the Friends in grant applications from external organisations under the Cannizaro Park Management Plan 2006-11, now agreed with Merton Council.

The Committee had its first meeting with Lyn Carpenter, Merton’s Head of Property and Leisure, on 21 August. Also present were Sid Sullivan, Interim Principal Parks Manager; Chris Mountford Leisure Operations Manager; and Rob Kelly, Project Officer.

Lyn Carpenter explained how Cannizaro’s staffing and maintenance were funded from Merton’s revenue budget. While some £548,000 was said to be available for improvements in all parks, no further figures were given for the real cost of maintaining Cannizaro Park in particular.

Instead, the Friends heard that a five-year plan would provide flexibility to respond to annual fluctuations of the maintenance spend.

This meant that any improvements in Cannizaro’s maintenance would require cuts in annual lawn-mowing or other services to balance.

Specific capital projects were agreed for which the Friends and Merton will jointly apply for grants and a list of funding agencies was circulated. Merton will advise on each fund, timetables, community activity, and the likelihood of success.

Merton is already committed to completing upgrades of the Aviary, Main Entrance and Dutch Garden this year. From April 2007, the Italian Garden remains the priority for long-term grant application but several years are expected before a big enough grant becomes available for that.

Instead the Friends will concentrate on smaller projects including replacement of the park’s broken fencing, a problem both within the park and the perimeter.

Climate change and its effect on Cannizaro’s trees were discussed too. Assessments of the sustainability of existing stocks and the planting regime for future years are also within the Management Plan.