Agenda and minutes

To approve the appointment of Sir Stephen Waley-Cohen and Faye Thomas as non-voting co-opted members

The Committee approved the appointment of Sir Stephen Waley-Cohen and Faye Thomas as non-voting co-opted members.

No apologies for absence were received.

If a Councillor has a disclosable pecuniary interest in a particular item, whether or not it is entered in the Authority’s register of interests, or any other significant interest which they consider should be declared in the public interest, they should declare the existence and, unless it is a sensitive interest as defined in the Member Code of Conduct, the nature of the interest at the commencement of the consideration of that item or as soon as it becomes apparent.

At meetings where members of the public are allowed to be in attendance and speak, any Councillor with a disclosable pecuniary interest or other significant interest may also make representations, give evidence or answer questions about the matter.  The Councillor must then withdraw immediately from the meeting before the matter is discussed and any vote taken.

Where Members of the public are not allowed to be in attendance and speak, then the Councillor with a disclosable pecuniary interest should withdraw from the meeting whilst the matter is under consideration. Councillors who have declared other significant interests should also withdraw from the meeting if they consider their continued participation in the matter would not be reasonable in the circumstances and may give rise to a perception of a conflict of interest.

Councillors are not obliged to withdraw from the meeting where a dispensation to that effect has been obtained from the Standards Committee.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 8 March 2025 as an accurate record.

Matters arising:

Stephen Waley-Cohen (Co-Opted Member) sought updates on the timetable for the master plan, as well as the timetable for signs and access. Lastly, he noted that the grounds maintenance contract was expiring in 18 months, and he asked what the process was for renewal. The Chair explained that a written response would be provided for the timetable related queries and that the process to renew the grounds maintenance contract would be a procurement process. Mark Raisbeck (Advisor to the Trust) added that a strategic report would be going to cabinet for the maintenance contract to seek permission to begin the procurement process. Stephen Waley-Cohen, on behalf of Friends of Wormwood Scrubs, offered to be involved in the procurement process, as had been the case previously.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 18^th March 2025 were agreed as an accurate record.

To note and approve all matters in the report.

KAA2 Site Decommissioning Programme

Osama El-Amin (Trust Manager) provided an overview of the report which explained that in 2024, the Department for Education (DfE) outlined their intention to maintain the KAA2 temporary school site, on the ‘parade ground’ for a further 3-year period. Since then, DfE had engaged KAA and the wider Grenfell Community on the memorialisation of the tragedy and subsequent state of the tower. In concluding those discussions, the DfE had decided the KAA2 site was no longer required beyond the current permitted term.

Stephen Waley-Cohen mentioned that it was recommended that the tarmac not be retained due to flooding risk and asked how the new solution with slate on top, would not cause the same issue. The Chair explained that the slate was semi-permeable.

The Committee agreed to engage the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC) on the future use of the space.

Grounds Maintenance (GM) contract performance update and upcoming activities

Osama El-Amin updated the committee on the performance of the grounds maintenance contract. It was currently performing to a satisfactory level. No complaints had been received from the public in that time. Grass cutting, sports pitch line marking and regular cleansing regimes had been maintained successfully. Horticultural features including the wildlife hedges and flower beds had been weeded and maintained under the stewardship of the on-site Ecologist.

The Committee noted the update

Park Lodge – Building condition and future use

Osama El-Amin introduced the report which updated the Committee on the condition of Park Lodge. A building condition survey undertaken at the property had highlighted several structural issues with the building. The abundance of mature vegetation near the building had impacted the foundations, resulting in differential settlement (subsidence), evidenced by large cracks on the internal facade and ceilings. The committee was asked to consider the safety and security risks of maintaining the building in its current state and consider demolishing the building.

Councillor Stanton asked whether there had been an income stream to the Council from Park Lodge. Osama El-Amin explained that there had been a small income stream through rent.

Councillor Stanton questioned what would happen to the space, once the building was demolished. Osama El-Amin told the committee that the building would not be replaced in the short term, due to the limited footfall in the area because of the HS2 construction. In the short term it could be used as open space, then officers, with direction from the Committee, could think about how to use the space in the long term.

Councillor Stanton asked how big the grounds were. Osama El-Amin indicated the garden had been overgrown, so at the moment it is difficult to calculate an exact square meterage.

Councillor Stanton wanted to understand whether demolishing the building would have an impact on any future planning. Osama El-Amin explained that it was on metropolitan open land and therefore it would be very difficult to get planning permission to build. He added that in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

The next meeting will take place on 24^th September 2025.

The Committee noted the date of the next meeting scheduled to be held on 24^th September 2025