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Apple store was proposed for Garden Bridge in return for sponsorship
Garden Bridge review finds "robust and informed decision-making" behind £185 million project Share:
Amy Frearson | 28 February 2017 5 comments The charity set up to deliver Thomas Heatherwick's £185 million Garden Bridge has acted legally and responsibly, according to a report from the UK government. The review – launched following a series of complaints about the project's managament and finances – found that the Garden Bridge Trust is "operating in compliance with charity law" and has "proper financial controls in place". "We have been able to offer public assurance that the Garden Bridge Trust is meeting its obligations as a registered charity," said David Holdsworth of the Charity Commission, which conducted the investigation. UK government renews support for Garden Bridge but reduces offer by £6 million
Designed by Thomas Heatherwick, the 367-metre-long Garden Bridge is proposed across London's River Thames The report lauded the role of the charity's trustees for providing "strategic leadership" and "robust and informed decision making". "This case shows that high-profile charities can attract considerable public scrutiny, and the public rightly expect charities to be transparent and accountable," said Holdsworth. "Having trustees in place with the right skills and experience is crucial for a charity to operate effectively." The 367-metre-long bridge is proposed across London's River Thames, featuring full-size trees and planting beds on its deck. It is currently expected to cost at least £185 million, with £60 million coming from the government. Almost £40 million of that has already been spent.
Expected to cost £185 million, the bridge will boast full-size trees and planted sections along its deck The review investigated three issues, the first being whether the construction contracts were fairly awarded, or whether there where any conflicts of interest in the process. The findings – a four-page report published on the UK government's website – show the investigators found "no cause for concern" regarding conflicts of interest, and that the arrangements of the contracts were "robust". However it does state that the trust could have carried out more comparisons with similar infrastructure projects to assess risks. Assessing whether the charity has the capacity to deliver a project of this size, the inquiry was satisfied with the evidence provided, which included "clear strategy and active budget management".
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Garden Bridge faces uncertain future after accounts reveal risk of "substantial" cost increase The investigators also looked at whether the project's funding has been handled responsibly. Their report states that the trust could have been more forthcoming with information about its accounts, but that "proper arrangements" appear to be in place to ensure the organisation operates efficiently. "When observing the charity's core-management group meeting, we saw evidence that the relationship between the trustees and the senior management team balances support, scrutiny and challenge," reads the text. UK government renews support for Garden Bridge but reduces offer by £6 million
It is set to be constructed between Temple and the South Bank London mayor Sadiq Khan has also commissioned an inquiry into the finances of the contentious Garden Bridge, reiterating his pledge that no more public funds would go towards the project. This separate review is being conducted by Margaret Hodge, the former chair of parliament's public accounts committee. It will look more closely at whether the project provides value for money. First unveiled in 2013, Thomas Heatherwick's Garden Bridge design is set to be constructed between Temple and the South Bank. The bridge is billed as a "beautiful new garden floating above the River Thames", but has been dogged by problems. Critics have included RIBA president Jane Duncan, local politician Kate Hoey, and campaigners Michael Ball and Will Jennings. Alternative green crossings have been proposed by architects Allies and Morrison, and Crispin Wride for nearby Blackfriars Bridge, along with a variety of more satirical suggestions. Heatherwick also has a similar project in New York – the Pier 55 elevated park over the Hudson River, which is under construction after overcoming a legal battle last year.
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Heatherwick defends Garden Bridge as investigation reveals £22 million funding gap Read more Architecture bridges England Garden Bridge infrastructure London News Thomas Heatherwick UK Share and comment
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Join the discussion… Oliver • 9 months ago
The Charity Commission report is essentially a bit of arse coverage for the Charity Commission itself, which for the last few years has been under criticism that it lacks oversight of the charity sector. Meanwhile, we await the Hodge report which is likely to be much more robust and exacting. Also, it's probably time to start leading with pics that show the huge environmental cost of this awful design, including the retail end on the South Bank. The bottom pic starts to do so. So, forget the plant pots for a mo and that timeworn aerial CGI, as if we're in some bloody James Bond title sequence. The Garden Bridge's reality is that of a huge and destructive lump of concrete and cupronickel that lands in London's last wilderness, with unforeseen consequences for river flow and processes, not to mention the negation of lovely views, the destruction of mature trees and our collective bank balance. It already looks silly and dated with its ribbed underbelly. Frankly, if you support it, you support the design vision of that noted aesthete... Boris Johnson. It should be seen as vandalism: just as the Euston Arch and Covent Garden were in their day. It shall not - must not - pass. 1
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Geofbob • 10 months ago
IF, and it is a big if, the Garden Bridge is ever realised, let's hope that unlike the illustrations above it has places to sit and enjoy the view and ambience. A major negative feature of London's footbridges is their lack of seating. This is in marked contrast to Parisian passerelles which all have seating, most notably the Pont des Arts. As a senior, I find the Millennium Bridge, in particular, a hard slog. • Reply • Share ›
Kate • 10 months ago
Please. Enough. My tax money and one greedy designer, not even an architect or engineer. 1
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Will Jennings • 10 months ago
Please remove this article. It is totally factually flawed throughout and had blur been fact-checked or had editorial oversight. The author is mixing up two entirely different investigations, one by the charity commission following complaints by Kate Hoey MP and one from Sadiq Khan being carried out by Dame Margaret Hodge MP. The author has done no research and has these two entirely unrelated investigations mixed up. The Charity Commission reported back today and actually found issues with how the Garden Bridge Trust were managing finances and declaring their risks. The Hodge report had not published yet and will be a lot more far-reaching than the toothless Charity Commission. Please either remove this appalling "article" or give it a correction to untangle the whole mess it reports. You also got the cost wrong. The GBT stayed it will far-exceed £185m but they don't know by how much. 2
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amyfrearson
Will Jennings • 10 months ago
Hi Will, thanks for your comment – and apologies for the mixup over who commissioned this review. Aside from that detail (which has now been corrected), we believe the article is a fair assessment of the findings of the report. If there is anything you believe is incorrect please let us know and we will consider further amendment. Regarding the £185 million figure, I agree it is possible/likely that this is now higher, but until this is confirmed by an appropriate source, it is the one we will use. Feel free to email me directly if you want to discuss this further (my details are on the contacts page). Amy/Dezeen
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