Agenda item

To receive a report from the Director of Safer Neighbourhoods and the Director of Finance and Resources, ELRS, updating the committee on recent management activity.

Opposition to Wetland Mitigation Area Proposed in HS2 Bill

 

Jackie Simkins highlighted to the committee that the land currently being reviewed for a wetland mitigation scheme could be subject to a compulsory purchase order if an alternative solution with HS2 was not agreed upon. It was however felt unlikely that HS2 would use this option.

 

A document was circulated detailing the work that had been done to identify alternative enhancement areas that would meet HS2’s mitigation requirements. These were focused around the edge of the Scrubs and included work to remove knotweed, enrich grassland and improve hedges etc.

 

A meeting had taken place with HS2 where they had accepted the enhancement works in principal. The cost of the scheme was estimated to be £3.3 million, reportedly more than HS2 had expected. HS2 were to take the proposal to their board.

 

A decision needed to be made on whether LBHF should continue with their planned petition to the HS2 select committee. It was felt this decision should be based on whether the assurances against the Wetland Mitigation Scheme had been strengthened before the hearing took place in the following week. It was felt to be frustrating that HS2 had asked for any proposed scheme to be equal in price to the Wetland Mitigation Area without supplying information of how much this scheme would cost. The pricing of the enrichment was felt to be robust, spread over ten years with no ongoing costs to the authority.

 

It was noted that there were other avenues for the Trust if an agreement was not reached with HS2, including petitioning to the House of Lords. However it was felt that HS2 were under pressure to agree to the authority’s proposed scheme.

 

It was reported that the Friends were now likely to withdraw their Overground   petition as they were happy with the proposed Option C.

 

It was asked that the document detailing the proposed enhancement not be circulated outside of the Trust until after the select committee hearing.

 

Amendment to Scrubs Act

 

Sharp Pritchard had been consulted on the possibility of strengthening the Act. They had quoted the cost of getting the Bill through parliament at between £55,000-130,000 based on the level of opposition it received. Councillor Harcourt asked that this be noted as an option for the Trust if required, with the progression of the proposal held off until the outcome of the OPDC consultation and plans were known. The OPDC had often publically stated that they would work within the Act.

 

Filming and Events

 

Jem Kale, Events Manager, reported that the Scrubs had been advertised to potential clients and that all attempts were being made to build the reputation of the Scrubs as a potential events venue. LiveNation had pulled out from holding an event on the Scrubs, although a payback scheme for structural changes had been discussed. AEG, LiveNation’s main competitors had also been approached.

 

A few sports agencies had shown an interest in hosting supplementary events to large sporting occasions, such as the rugby world cup or the 2016 Euro’s, on the Scrubs. Cllr Chumnery queried the details of the potential rugby event and it was reported that it would likely comprise of a large screen with hospitality provided. In trying to book such events they were in competition with Hyde Park and Battersea Park. But it was noted that the Scrubs had a USP in its transport links, soon to become 24 hour. This was offset by the established reputation of the other parks.

 

It was noted that Parsons Green were due to hold a Rugby World Cup event, although it was not felt that any event on the Scrubs would impact on their revenue.

 

The RedGra had been in frequent use, raising £8000 in revenue for the year to date. It was thought there was a possibility of collaborating with a filming site in Kensington and Chelsea to raise extra revenue.

 

It was asked that quotations were sought for the installation of water and electrical supplies to the site, to increase the likelihood of Olympia re-hiring the area.

 

Linford Christie Stadium

 

Dave Page reported that the Trust had been approached by Thames Valley Harriers with a plan to regenerate the Linford Christie stadium. This would be on the same site as the existing stadium and involved rebuilding the changing rooms (with the potential addition of a second floor) and the development of the tennis courts into a tennis academy. It was asked that the planning restrictions in the area be investigated.

Action: Dave Page

 

The project would be entirely funded by TVH, who had yet to get an estimate for the works.

 

Income from the scheme would be put back into the trust on a profit sharing basis. It was felt that caution was required and lessons needed to be learnt from the Hammersmith Park exercise. Representative from TVH were happy to attend the September meeting of the Trust and it was asked that they be invited. It was agreed that options for the long term future of the stadium needed to be investigated.

 

Action: Dave Page

 

Property Issues

 

Dave Page confirmed that the removal of the artillery wall had been costed and a meeting had taken place with Amey in the previous week to discuss the progression of the plans.

 

The potential for RE:FIT scheme works at the Linford Christie stadium, with a potential saving of £7.5 thousand annual was noted.

 

It was reported that the diesel powered boiler at the stadium would be replaced by a gas fired alternative. The works would require a trench to be dug through Scrubs Lane, however there was a possibility that this could be tied to the work on the Red Gra improvements, minimising disruption. It was reported that the funding for this work had been approved with nil cost to the trust.

 

Community Safety Update

 

Mike Rumble, Parks Inspector, reported that in 2014/15 there had been 654 patrols undertaken on the Scrubs with 102 incidents recorded. Many of these were related to dog walkers and dangerous dogs. The number of dogs permitted per walker was discussed. It was confirmed that the bye-laws stated that four were allowed, although Little Wormwood Scrubs allowed for 6. It was thought that having more dogs than was permissible would invalidate the insurance in any incidents that may occur.

 

It was confirmed that the energy company owned the land that had been subject to persistent fly-tipping. They had now installed bollards to prevent any further incidents.

 

The parks inspectors had acquired a new fleet of vehicles, including 4x4’s that would help to prevent the moped crime prevalent on the Scrubs.

 

An incident of illegal metal detecting had resulted in the discovery of what was thought to be a landmine; this was confirmed to be a false alarm.

 

It was reported that a model aircraft had flown dangerously close to a user of the Scrubs; a discussion had taken place with the flying club following the incident. The number of drones being used on the Scrubs had significantly increased and it was reported that the regulations controlling their use were vague. The bye-laws made provision for powered aircraft but there was uncertainty over whether this included drones, which were battery operated. It was asked that the possibility of a change to the bye-laws be investigated.

 

                                    Action: Dave Page

 

Jem Kale agreed to share information about the use of Drones at large events.

 

Action: Jem Kale

 

Cllr Chumnery suggested the use of a public space protection order to further protect the Scrubs and define non-permissible usage. It was felt this could help tackle the use of drones, the problems associated with professional dog walkers and the use of mopeds on the Scrubs; evidence of a nuisance would need to be collected. It was asked that this be investigated further.

Action: Dave Page

 

It was reported that the parks inspectors were now based in Holland Park. This was felt to be an improvement on their previous location and had improved efficiency. Recent cuts to the service had diminished the team by one Sargent and two constables; this had left periods of vulnerability in the cover of the parks.

 

It was felt by the service that the Woodman’s mews barrier was beginning to fail too frequently. There would be heavy costs involved in its replacement but it was seen as vital for preventing invasion on to the Scrubs.

 

It was noted that Hammersmith and Fulham was one of only three London Boroughs to retain its parks police service.

 

Grounds Maintenance Update

 

Dave Page reported that the waste bins at Braybook Road were being scoped for removal, due to the attraction of fly-tippers to the site. The removal would be for a trial period only and the decision was reversible if proven to be ineffective.

 

It was confirmed that the 10 year site management plan was on hold until the situation with HS2 mitigation was clarified.

 

Dave Page agreed to send a reminder to Ian Ross about the need for the trees in Wulfstan Lane to be cut back as they presented a safety hazard.

 

Action: Dave Page

 

Fundraising Possibilities

 

Mark Jones updated the committee on a recent meeting he had attended with the head of SOBUS, an organisation that helped charities to seek out funding. Ways in which the number of users of the Scrubs could be recorded was discussed. Ideas included using car-park data. SOBUS were willing to meet the group to facilitate a discussion on the development of a fundraising strategy. Cllr Harcourt asked that this be arranged as a separate meeting to the committee.

 

Action: Mark Jones

 

2015/16 Financial Forecast

 

The financial forecast was more positive than had been expected, with a loss of only £36,000 compared to the budgeted loss of £79,000. This was due to a slight increase in parking revenue, beneficial inflation adjustments to the grounds maintenance contract and the income generated from activities on the Scrubs.

 

Mark Jones updated Cllr Harcourt on the level of inflation of the Quodron contract. It was explained that 55% was related to standard council pay rates, 35% was on the Department for Transport index in relation to the use of plant or operating machinery and 10% was on the DofT index for diesel fuel.

 

The best hope for the Trust to become solvent was for regular (but not frequent) major events to be held on the Scrubs. It was felt the Trust would be in difficulty if this did not transpire.