Issue - meetings

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

RESOLVED:

(1)      To note the issues set out in the report and agree that members of the Trust Committee be invited to undertake a site visit in order to meet current occupiers and inspect the Barham Park Building.

(2)     To delegate authority to the Operational Director for Environmental Services in consultation with the Chair of the Trust Committee to decide on how to proceed moving forward regarding the letting of Unit 7 of the Barham Park Building.

(3)     To note that an independent valuation is being undertaken in respect of Unit 8 of the Barham Park Building (Children’s Centre) and thereafter, that officers will make arrangements for a public notice to be provided regarding the proposed lease renewal of Unit 8 to the Council.

(4)     To delegate authority to the Operational Director for Environmental Services to consider responses and objections in relation to the public notice regarding the proposed renewal of the lease in respect of Unit 8 of the Barham Park Building and address such issues in an application to the Charity Commission to seek consent to enter into the lease with the Council.

(5)     To delegate authority to the Operational Director for Environmental Services to apply to the Charity Commission to seek their consent for the Trust to enter into a further five year lease with the Council in respect of Unit 8 of the Barham Park Building with consent to sublet the property to an organisation to continue the Children’s Centre service on similar terms to the previous lease which was signed on 28 October 2016.

(6)     Subject to consent of the Charity Commission, to delegate authority to the Operational Director for Environmental Services to make arrangements for the Trust to enter into a five year lease with the Council in respect of Unit 8 of Barham Park Building at a market rental set by the independent valuer.

(7)     To delegate authority to the Operational Director for Environmental Services to enter into a lease renewal with the Barham Park Veterans Club (Wembley) in respect of Unit 2 of the Barham Park Building as set out in section 3.15 of the report.

(8)     To authorise the Operational Director for Environmental Services to enter into discussions with the owners of 776-778 Harrow Road to explore the possibilities of reaching agreement to amend the restricting covenants on that property for the benefit of the Trust.

Chris Whyte, Operational Director Environmental Services, introduced the report providing an update on operational issues at Barham Park along with current progress on a range of projects.

Members were provided with operational updates in relation to the following issues:

·             General operational works – Members noted that operational grounds maintenance works continued to be undertaken by the Council’s main contractor Veolia.

·             Security and anti-social behaviour - as detailed within section 3.2 of the report, with members noting the incidents identified and ongoing work with the police to monitor and address them supported by the Public Space Protection Order covering all Brent’s parks and open spaces.

·             Rough sleeping with the Park - as detailed in section 3.4 of the report, with members noting the ongoing work being undertaken with St Mungo’s and other partners to address the issue and support those individuals sleeping rough to access accommodation and other assistance according to their needs.

·             Grass and meadows - with members noting the continued progress and improvements being made to the range of grasslands and associated wildlife within the park, as detailed within section 3.6 of the report.

·             Fire Security System - with members noting the ongoing briefings being provided for tenant representatives on operation of the system, which continued to perform well, as detailed in section 3.8 of the report.

·             The progress being made in relation to works previously approved through the Trust’s Restricted Funds, as detailed within section 3.17 – 3.24 of the report.

·             The progress in relation to works associated with tree planting and replacement, the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Garden and Walled Garden Pool as detailed within section 3.25 – 3.28 of the report.

In addition to the operational issues identified above, members also received updates in relation to the following specific property and tenancy related issues:

·             Barham Park building Unit 7: Members noted the update provided by Amin Soorma (Property Services) regarding the ongoing negotiations with the lead tender applicant (The Friends of Barham Library FoBL) and their proposed partner organisation the Memory Lounge, for a Dementia Centre at Unit 7 with the main outstanding issue being whether the proposed use represented a sub-letting or was considered a partnership in terms of operation of any lease arrangements.  Whilst the tender marketing process had been clear that a sub-lease would not be considered, the provisionally accepted tenant of Unit 7 (FoBL) and the Memory Lounge project had envisaged use of the vacant unit as a partnership rather than sub tenancy arrangement and had also been successful in securing NCIL funding to provide significant investment for refurbishment works.  Having noted the options identified and being keen to support a partnership arrangement, members were minded to delegate a final decision on the letting of Unit 7 to the Operational Director for Environmental Services in consultation with the Chair of the Trust Committee.

·             Barham Park building Unit 8: Members noted the update provided in relation to renewal of the lease for Unit 8 to the Children Centre.  Members were reminded that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9