Agenda and minutes

To approve as an accurate record, and the Chairman to sign, the minutes of the meeting held on 24 June 2015.

RESOLVED –

THAT, the minutes of the meeting held on 24 June 2015 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

There were no apologies for absence.

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.

Councillor Wesley Harcourt asked that it be noted he maintained an interest in the Old Oak and Park Royal Opportunity Area Planning Framework as he as member of the Planning Committee of the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation.

Councillors Wesley Harcourt and Elaine Chumnery asked that it be noted they were Ward Councillors for College Park and Old Oak.

Opposition to the Wetland Mitigation Area Proposed in HS2 Bill

David Page (Director for Safer Neighbourhoods) reported that the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham (LBHF) had agreed to deliver an agreed mitigation scheme at HS2’s (High Speed Rail 2) cost. The value of implementing and maintaining the scheme would be capped at £3.9m over 10 years although this would be reviewed once a contractor had been appointed. LBHF was in the process of preparing the tender documentation and there would be an obligation on both LBHF and HS2 to seek value for money. It was felt that this was a fantastic achievement for the Trust and it would be appropriate to issue a press release to highlight this achievement.

ACTION: David Page, Director for Safer Neighbourhoods

Fundraising Plan

Mark Jones (Director for Finance and Resources, Environmental Services) drew Members attention to pages 18 – 21; appendix 1 of the report, which sought views on fundraising plans. It was reported that the Trust would need to find an additional income of around £70,000 per year to reach a breakeven position on income and expenditure.

It was reported that LBHF had spoken to the Third Sector Investment Team regarding the bidding criteria for Hammersmith United Charities and it was reported that the Trust fits their funding criteria, if a suitable project could be identified. David Page would circulate a separate paper with further information.

ACTION: David Page, Director for Safer Neighbourhoods

Mark Jones circulated a hand-out to Members on ‘Scoping Land Comparable to WSCT’. This would also be circulated electronically to Members of the Committee.

ACTION: Mark Jones, Director for Finance and Resources, Environmental Services

The hand-out examined big areas of open land across London and it was felt that it would be useful to speak to organisations that run those parks that have most in common with WSCT to investigate how they raise funds.

ACTION: Mark Jones, Director for Finance and Resources, Environmental Services

Further to previous meetings of the Committee, it was reported that Harry Audley (SOBUS) would propose recommendations on how WSCT could work with Community Champions. It was additionally reported that this action was outstanding and that Mark Jones would raise this again with Harry Audley.

ACTION: Mark Jones, Director for Finance and Resources, Environmental Services

Members were informed that the WSCT does not have a website and a low profile generally on the internet and in social media. It was felt that it would be beneficial to create a website, which would help to raise the profile of WSCT. The website would also include visitor information, surveys, guides, pictures and comments and by using WordPress, this could be achieved for a relatively small fee. In addition, the website would include a tool to include a donate option  It was suggested local schools or sixth forms could be provided with opportunities to create content and maintain the website, which officers would examine in further detail. It was felt that Ark Burlington Danes Academy would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

Mark Jones introduced the 2014/15 Statement of Accounts and drew Members attention to page 40; appendix 1 of the report, which showed a small loss of £6,534, which  was an overall improvement of £72,516 when compared to 2013/14. This was largely attributed to the successful renegotiation of the car park lease with the hospital.

Sally-Anne Woulidge (KPMG) attended the meeting to provide a final opinion on the 2014/15 financial statements. It was noted that the accounts were unaudited until final sign off by KPMG and although further changes were unlikely, the accounts could be subject to change. Sally-Anne Woulidge drew Members attention to page 40; appendix 1 of the report as the cash balance was reported incorrectly and should have read £360,000.

Members placed their thanks on record to both Mark Jones and Dave Page and their respective teams as Sally-Anne Woulidge recognised that the accounts were in a good position.

RESOLVED –

(a) THAT, the Committee noted the draft 2014/15 financial accounts for Wormwood Scrubs Charitable Trust.

(b) THAT, the Committee approved delegation of authority to the Director for Finance and Resources, Environmental Services for the approval of the audited 2014/15 Statement of Accounts and Trustee’s report.

(c) THAT, the Committee approved the Management Representation Letter.

(d) THAT, the Committee approved the Trustee’s Annual Report.

(e) THAT, the Committee noted the contents of the Annual Risk Assessment.

The dates of the next meetings are:

·         8^th December 2015

·         15^th March 2016

The 8^th December 2015