Agenda and minutes

To approve as an accurate record, and the Chairman to sign, the minutes of the meeting held on 7^th October 2013.

.

RESOLVED –

That the minutes of the meeting held on 7^th October 2013 be approved as a correct record and that they be signed by the Chairman.

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Andrew Brown.

If a Councillor has any prejudicial or personal interest in a particular item

they should declare the existence and 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 prejudicial 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 unless a

dispensation has been obtained from the Standards Committee.

Where Members of the public are not allowed to be in attendance, then

the Councillor with a prejudicial interest should withdraw from the

meeting whilst the matter is under consideration unless the disability has

been removed by the Standards Committee.

There were no declarations of pecuniary or non-pecuniary interests. However Cllr Carlebach noted that he was ward member for the ward where Olympia was based (Avonmore & Brook Green), and this was referenced in the Manager’s Report.

To receive a report from the Director for Finance & Resources and the Director for Safer Neighbourhoods updating the Committee on the management activity carried out for the Trust since the previous meeting

The Committee received a report from the Director of Finance & Resources and the Director for Safer Neighbourhoods on the management activity carried out since the previous meeting. The report covered the following areas:

The Scheme of Delegation

The Committee discussed the proposed scheme of delegation that would allow decisions to be taken outside of meetings when circumstances required a speedy decision. Members stated that they wanted to ensure there was transparency regarding expenditure and agreed that any decisions should be reported to the next Committee meeting and publicised. Some members expressed the view that if a decision was required outside of a meeting, technology allowed for the whole Committee to be consulted prior to decisions being taken. The Committee agreed that when opportunities for revenue raising activity arose, members should be consulted electronically.

Appointment of Auditors

It was agreed that KPMG should be appointed as auditor of the Trust’s accounts for 2013/14 and 2014/15.

Open Air Events

Officers explained the imperative for the Trust to generate revenue to secure its long-term financial viability, and described plans for an open air music festival, aimed at families. Members noted that the festival was a good opportunity for the Trust and agreed that prior to any event there would need to be a robust traffic management plan, noise pollution plan and other strategies for dealing with rubbish and general crowd control. Officers assured the Committee that these would all be in place. Members also asked whether there might be an opportunity for a presence at the event for either a Friends of Wormwood Scrubs or a Trust stand. It was also agreed that any festival should seek to enhance local employment opportunities as well. It was agreed that an update on the festival would be presented at the next meeting.

The Chairman also recorded his thanks on behalf of the Trust to the Parks Police and Council officers for their work moving-on a group of travellers recently. The travellers had been hostile and aggressive but the situation was handled well. The Committee also recorded its thanks to the Council for meeting the security costs of approximately £12,000.

Renting lorry parking spaces to Olympia

Officers described plans to rent lorry parking spaces on the Red Gra to Olympia. They acknowledged the potential for an adverse impact on local residents but noted the potential to raise revenue while also improving the security of the site and preventing the area from being used by travellers. Members noted that Olympia had a good record of mitigating against impacts such as noise. Members agreed that the Director for Safer Neighbourhoods should enter into an agreement with Olympia and that residents in Woodmans Mews should be written to to inform them of the plans.

Charging the Metropolitan Police for parking for the Notting Hill Carnival

The Committee agreed that an increasing parking fee schedule for the use of Scrubs land by the Police should be negotiated.

Review Licence for the Car Park with the Hospital

The Committee noted that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

To receive a report from the Director for Finance & Resources presenting the financial forecast for the Trust for the financial year 2013/14

The Committee received a report from the Director for Finance & Resources on the forecast for the Trust’s finances in 2013/14. It was noted that the receipts from parking were lower than expected and that without the revenue-raising activity discussed earlier in the agenda, the Trust’s reserves would not last beyond next year.

Members asked whether there was potential for other London boroughs to contribute to the Trust’s running costs, especially as the Wormwood Scrubs Act states that the land is for use by all Londoners. It was highlighted that in the current financial climate councils were unlikely to have funds available, although the City of London funded some parks outside of its boundaries, which officers undertook to investigate further.

The Committee is asked to agree meeting dates for 2014. The following dates are proposed:

• Wednesday 12^th March 2014
• Wednesday 2^nd July 2014
• Wednesday 24^th September 2014
• Wednesday 10^th December 2014

The dates of future meetings were agreed as:

• Wednesday 12^th March 2014
• Wednesday 2^nd July 2014 (to be held at the Wormwood Scrubs Community Centre)
• Wednesday 24^th September 2014
• Wednesday 10^th December 2014