Issue - meetings

Councillor Wesley Harcourt declared a significant interest in respect of this item, as he is the Chair of Wormwood Scrubs Charitable Trust (WSCT). He considered that in the circumstances it would be unreasonable to participate in the matter and therefore left the room during the discussion without speaking or voting thereon.

At the request of Councillor Harcourt prior to the meeting the Leader stated that although the version of the report on the agenda was the one that was presented to, and discussed at the WSCT Board meeting on 19 December 2018, and while the Board agreed, in principle, to the joint consultation on the future of Linford Christie Stadium, the report had not been agreed and a number of amendments had been requested. The revised report incorporating the amendments was only circulated, to the WSCT Board Members this afternoon, before the Cabinet meeting.

In light of Councillor Harcourt’s comments, the Leader proposed that recommendation 2.2 be amended, incorporating the section underlined below:

2.2  To approve a joint public consultation with the Wormwood Scrubs Charitable Trust on the options for the Linford Christie Outdoors Sports Stadium for a period of 12 weeks, subject to confirmation by the Trust that they wish to proceed with the consultation.

RESOLVED:

1.         To note the ongoing financial challenge that the Council and the Trust face in continuing to maintain and operate the Linford Christie Outdoors Sports Stadium and the associated sports facilities on the Scrubs.

2.         To approve a joint public consultation with the Wormwood Scrubs Charitable Trust on the options for the Linford Christie Outdoors Sports Stadium for a period of 12 weeks, subject to confirmation by the Trust that they wish to proceed with the consultation.

3.         To approve a budget of £100,000 to cover costs arising from 2.3 for professional advice required in assessing the consultation responses and making recommendations to Cabinet, to be funded from the Corporate Demands and Pressures reserve.