Issue - meetings

This report seeks the approval of the Barham Park Trust Committee to seek the permission of the Charity Commission to spend a number of items of expenditure on and for the benefit of Barham Park from the restricted funds of the Trust.

RESOLVED:

i)     That the proposed items of expenditure up to the total estimated sum of £167k as set out in the table in paragraph 3.1 of the report, to be paid from the Trust’s restricted funds and permanent endowment arising from the sale proceeds of 776 and 778 Harrow Road, Wembley HA0 2HE, be approved;

ii)    That officers seek permission of the Charity Commission to spend the estimated sum stated in resolution i) from the Trust’s restricted funds using the procedure set out in section 282 of the Charities Act 2011;

iii)   That officers be authorised to submit the necessary application for permission to the Charity Commission and authority be delegated to the Operational Director Environmental Services to progress the application and deal with any issues, requirements and queries arising that are raised by the Charity Commission; 

iv)    That officers be authorised to give public notice of this resolution if it is directed to do so by the Charity Commission pursuant to section 283 of the Charities Act 2011.

A report was presented to the committee by Arnold Meagher (Head of Litigation and Dispute Resolution) and Leslie Williams (Barham Park Project Officer) seeking the approval to request permission of the charity commission to spend a number of items of expenditure on and for the benefit of Barham Park from the restricted funds of the Trust. It was proposed that the expenditure was drawn from the Trust’s restricted funds as there were insufficient unrestricted funds available. Additionally, the council was unable to subsidise the expenditure due to budgetary pressures. If approval was granted by the Trust

Committee, officers would submit the application to the Charity Commission to be considered under its powers under section 282 of the Charities Act 2011.

Leslie Williams explained that the proposed items of expenditure included works to the trees, event field drainage works and preparing a schedule of works in respect of all the existing windows, doors, frames and similar structures of the Barham Park building. Leslie Williams highlighted that the latter item of expenditure related to drawing up the schedule or works and not the completion of the works. The schedule was needed to support the  required planning application. The Trust’s attention was subsequently drawn to the estimated costs for each item of expenditure as detailed at paragraph 3.1 of the report, totalling circa £167k and the subsequent explanation of each item. It was noted that each item of expenditure was deemed prudent for the upkeep and preservation of the land at Barham Park for use by the public and in keeping with the spirit of the gift of the land.  

The Chair thanked officers for their introduction to the report.

RESOLVED:

i)     That the proposed items of expenditure up to the total estimated sum of £167k as set out in the table in paragraph 3.1 of the report, to be paid from the Trust’s restricted funds and permanent endowment arising from the sale proceeds of 776 and 778 Harrow Road, Wembley HA0 2HE, be approved;

ii)    That officers seek permission of the Charity Commission to spend the estimated sum stated in resolution i) (£167k) from the Trust’s restricted funds using the procedure set out in section 282 of the Charities Act 2011;

iii)   That officers be authorised to submit the necessary application for permission to the Charity Commission and authority be delegated to the Operational Director Environmental Services to progress the application and deal with any issues, requirements and queries arising that are raised by the Charity Commission; 

iv)    That officers be authorised to give public notice of this resolution if it is directed to do so by the Charity Commission pursuant to section 283 of the Charities Act 2011.