Agenda and minutes

The Committee is asked to appoint a Chair and a Vice- Chair for the 2018-19 Municipal Year.

RESOLVED:

1.         That Councillor Wesley Harcourt be appointed as the Chair of the Wormwood Scrubs Charitable Trust for municipal year 2018-19.

2.         That Councillor Alexandra Sanderson be appointed as the Vice-Chair of the Wormwood Scrubs Charitable Trust for municipal year 2018-19.

The chair thanked previous Councillors Elaine Chumnery and Joe Carlebach for their service to this committee

The Committee is asked to approve the appointment of two non-voting co-opted members.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee agreed the appointments of the following non-voting co-opted members:

            - Sir Stephen Waley-Cohen

            - Miriam Shea

To approve as an accurate record, and the Chair to sign, the minutes of the meeting held on 14 March 2018.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the meeting held on 14 March 2018 were approved and signed by the Chair.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Belinda Donovan, Farrah Rossi (Principal Planning Projects Officer) and Sir Stephen Waley-Cohen (co-optedmember).

There were no declarations of interest.

The report is seeking the Committee’s permission to approach the market and procure contracts for the design of Alternative Ecological Mitigation (AEM) and conservation management plan (CMP) proposals for Wormwood Scrubs Park.

Richard Gill presented the reported and the following correction to the Executive Summary was noted:

This report is seeking Wormwood Scrubs Charitable Trust Committee permission for the council to approach the market and procure contracts on behalf of the Wormwood Scrubs Charitable Trust for the design of Alternative Ecological Mitigation (AEM) and conservation management plan (CMP) proposals for Wormwood Scrubs Park. (the Scrubs).

The timeline in section 12 of Appendix 1 of the report will also have to be corrected to allow time for Cabinet approval.

Councillor Wesley Harcourt gave a brief update on the history and noted that HS2 would provide the Council with the funding to carry out works associated with ecological damage at the Scrubs. Richard Gill explained that the detailed draft proposal and specification for the conservation management plan (CMP) and AEM works would be approved by the Promotor, or nominated undertaker (HS2), and would then be used to procure a works contractor to implement the AEM proposals. The appointed consultant would also prepare a 10-year management plan for the works and update this throughout the 10-year period. HS2 would reimburse the Council for the costs to design, implement and maintain the AEM proposals and management plans together with any reasonable costs properly incurred by the Council.

Richard Gill referring to Appendix 1 provided an overview on the business case, procurement strategy, project management and governance plans for the AEM proposals. He noted that the report would go to the September Cabinet meeting and the plan was to award the contract in December 2018. Referring to page 26 of the agenda pack, Councillor Harcourt requested that an updated version of the indicative timetable be circulated to the Committee.

Action: Richard Gill

Miriam Shea noted that, following her meeting with Friends of the Scrubs she felt that the overall budget appeared to be quite high for project management (Consultants). Richard Gill explained that this was a lengthy process from start to finish and there was a great deal of work that needed to be completed. Consultants would produce all technical documents as well as work on site with the contractor for 18 months. They would be fully involved in the project for 24 months on and off site. Furthermore, the budget proposals for hiring consultants were in line with the industry standards.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee agreed for the Council to approach the market and procure contracts on behalf of the Scrubs for the design of Alternative Ecological Mitigation (AEM) and conservation management plan (CMP) proposals for Wormwood Scrubs Park. (the Scrubs).

The Committee is asked to note all matters in this report.

HS2 Bill – Proposed Wetland Mitigation Legal Agreement

Mark Jones provided an update and noted works to control knotweed had commenced. Paths had been cut in bramble to allow access to the knotweed stands. These works were carried out in late March. This was early in the bird nesting season so great care was taken to explore the bramble and ensure there were no nests in the vicinity. The next task would be to treat the knotweed once it had grown to a suitable height and weather conditions were favourable. Arrangements had been made to meet the London Wildlife Trust who were acting as our ecologists and the knotweed contractor to agree a suitable methodology of carrying out works during this period.

Councillor Harcourt asked for clarification around what method was used for the removal of the knotweed. Richard Gill explained that the knotweed would be sprayed rather than injected. The treatment was most effective when carried out in two applications, early and late summer. This meant that it must be carried out while birds were still nesting so the operation has been postponed until July when bird nesting will be minimal.

Councillor Alexandra Sanderson asked if drift was a concern due to the potential damage it would cause to the surrounding areas. Richard Gill said that some of the surrounding bramble needed to be killed off, however consultants would avoid spraying the knotweed on a windy day. Councillor Sanderson asked that extra signs be posted, explaining that the knotweed would be sprayed during the summer.

Action: Richard Gill

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HS2 Bill – Re-Routing Stamford Brook Sewer Legal Agreement

Richard Gill provided an update and noted that the HS2 contractor had been granted access to carry out ground investigation works. The position of the boreholes had been discussed on site and would be well away from the embankment or any vegetation. HS2 would also ensure an ecologist had a watching brief during the works in case nesting birds or other fauna required works to be adapted. Works were planned to start on Thursday 7 June with some enabling works for the access point commencing on Monday 4 June. The contractor postponed the start date for two weeks enabling works started Monday 18^th June.

OPDC Draft Local Plan

Mark Jones noted that Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC) were amending their draft local plan to reflect the masterplan work their consultants AECOM had been developing since they were appointed in January. The consultation would be on the proposed changes only and not on the whole document. It would begin on 14 June and run for a 6-week period until 31 July. Councillor Harcourt said that this was our opportunity to respond to OPDC and suggested that the documentation be circulated to the relevant officers for feedback and comments.

Action: Mark Jones

Kensington Aldridge Academy (KAA)

Mark Jones provided an update and noted that the department for education (DfE) had contacted the Council to raise the possibility of KAA  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.