Agenda item

This report summarises the outcome of the public consultation on the future of Linford Christie Outdoor Sports Stadium. It also sets out the recommended next steps for the Trust, ahead of a future decision on a preferred option.

David Burns, Advisor to the Trust, presented the report that summarised the outcome of the public consultation on the options available to the Trust for the future of Linford Christie Outdoor Sports Stadium. He noted an error in 4.10 of the report – there were actually 16 responses. Officers were seeking consent from respondents before publishing their submissions.

The Chair asked if the same Council officers had written the report to the Trust and the Council’s Executive. David Burns said there was a clear separation of advice and different officers had written each report, though they were based on the same information.

Members had concerns that the report seemed to suggest option three was the preferred option. Advisors said the options appraisal would look at all three options again in more detail. Each option’s costs and benefits would be assessed before making a recommendation.

David Burns made clear that the consultant would be advising the Trust, at the Council's expense, if the Council agrees to the funding. The advice would be independent of the Council.

The Committee asked for more analysis of the consultation – including the impact of QPR supporters, how many people were represented by the group submissions, and the potential impact of including non-H&F adjacent areas like W10.

The Chair asked what arrangements were in place at the Council to separate the work being done by advisors to the Trust and other officers. David Burns said beyond this report Council officers were not doing any further work. It would be taken forward by independent consultants.

The committee felt the terms of reference for the consultant were key and asked to agree the terms before any appointments were made.

The Chair asked if there was a legal duty on the Trust to carry out a London-wide consultation. David Burns said he anticipated that there would have to be a wider consultation on any recommendations that came out of the business case review.

RESOLVED

That, subject to final approval of the specification, Wormwood Scrubs Charitable Trust Committee:

1.    Notes the results of the public consultation.

2.    Approves the Procurement Strategy in Appendix 2 of the report for the appointment of multidisciplinary advisors for the Trust, to consider the consultation responses in more detail, to develop a business case, and to complete any necessary surveys, technical and planning work that may be required.

3.    Delegates the award of contracts for multi-disciplinary advisors as set out in the Procurement Strategy in Appendix 2 of the report to the Council's Assistant Director of Growth acting on behalf of the Trust in consultation with the Chair of the Wormwood Scrubs Charitable Trust Committee subject to the Council's agreement to provide sufficient funding to the Trust.

4.    Delegates authority to the Council's Assistant Director of Growth acting on behalf of the Trust to develop an outline business case for the different options, on the basis that regular updates and reports are provided to the Trust Committee.

5.    Notes the requirements in relation to conflict of interests and decision-making procedures set out in this report.

6.    Delegates authority to the Council's Assistant Director of Growth acting on behalf of the Trust to consult with the Charity Commission in relation to the Trust’s decision making process in connection with the future of the Stadium and for ongoing dialogue with the Charity Commission and to provide a report to the Trust following the discussions with the Charity Commission.

Note: The Committee requested an additional meeting to be held to agree the final specification of the advisors (recommendation 2).

ACTION: David Burns