Issue - meetings

To update Members on operational issues at Barham Park and on current progress on projects.

RESOLVED:

i)  that the issues detailed in the report be noted

ii)  that the proposal to provide a replacement Oak tree for the one felled towards the west of Barham Park be approved.

Leslie Williams introduced the report updating the Trust on operational issues at Barham Park. With reference to the concerns raised earlier in the meeting by a representative of ACAVA, attention was drawn to the summary of recent security and anti-social behaviour issues at the park. Chris Whyte (Operational Director, Environmental Services) advised that officers had liaised with the Metropolitan Police’s Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) to secure additional regular patrols of the area. It was also suggested that ACAVA may wish to engage directly with the SNT.

Speaking on the other matters detailed in the report, Leslie Williams highlighted a number of improvement works including the addition of meadow areas, projects to restore the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Garden and the pond within the Walled Garden, and urgent repairs to the Barham Park buildings.

Amin Soorma (Estate Surveyor) advised of the conclusion of the lettings process for the buildings complex, explaining that Unit 7 had been let to the Friends of Barham Library and their partner the Memory Lounge, who were working to establish a Dementia Centre and had applied for further Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Level funding to support the project. The council was currently negotiating with the organisations regarding required works that needed to be undertaken to the property and would provide a further update to the Trust at a future meeting.

Concluding the introduction to the report, Chris Whyte advised that the Charity Commission had written to the Trust regarding concerns raised with them about the management of the Trust, specifically relating to the historic letting of Unit 7 and the number and frequency of Trust meetings. Arnold Meagher (Head of Litigation and Dispute Resolution) advised that in the absence of further information from the Charity Commission, there was no further action required by the Trust. Members were reminded that the Trust met at least once a year and ad-hoc as required. In response to a query from the Trust, Arnold Meagher confirmed that the Charity Commission had confirmed that there were no further plans to write to the Trust regarding these matters.

RESOLVED:

i)  that the issues detailed in the report be noted

ii)  that the proposal to provide a replacement Oak tree for the one felled towards the west of Barham Park be approved.