(i) Items raised by J. O’Callaghan – Hornsey Historical Society
(a) Whether representatives of the Consultative cttee on the Board should
report back to the committee
(b) The general policy relating to leasing and sub-leasing to not for
profit organizations carrying out the charity's objects, and the proportion of the charity land currently designated
(c ) Firoka
Minutes:
(i) Items raised by J. O’Callaghan – Hornsey Historical Society
(a) Whether representatives of the Consultative cttee on the Board should
report back to the committee
Mr O’Callaghan commented on the fact that he could not recall any incident in the past few years whereby the Board had responded to the Consultative Committee on views expressed by it. In response the Chair advised that in terms of reporting back it was the case that the minutes of the Consultative Committee were reported to the Board, and vice a versa and any matters raised by the Committee would be considered by the Board. It was also the case that the representatives appointed by the Consultative committee to the Board in a non voting capacity would also report back there were matters needing clarifying arsing from Board minutes. It was further the case that the Consultative Committee representatives had always expressed the views of the Consultative Committee at Board meetings.
In response to further points of clarification from Mr O’Callaghan the Chair advised that the Consultative Committee had and were kept fully updated in terms of the developments at the palace and that indeed matters of a commercially sensitive and confidential, as with any constituted Committee of the LB Haringey, would not be divulged in public session.
Mr Tarpey commented that the minutes of the Board meetings clearly showed the views of the Board, together with those comments of the 3 non voting representatives, and observer. It was also the case that where necessary when speaking at Board meetings each non voting representative was giving the views of the Consultative Committee and the consensus views of the consultative committee were amplified, though of course personal views were not. The Board had always allowed the non voting representatives, and observer to be present during the exempt part of the proceedings and each representative recognised that whilst they were able to comment and give view there would be no disclosure of such discussions, for the reasons as stated by the Chair. Ms Paley shared the comments expressed by Mr Tarpey and added that there was good reason why there had and were reasons for matters to be of a confidential nature.
Mr Hutchinson referred to the process for the Advisory Committee and the recommendations arising therefrom to the Board, and that at each subsequent meeting there was a clear set of observations from the Board to the Advisory committee and vise a versa. He felt that the Consultative Committee should adopt the same process as when it had any matters for the Board to consider.
Ms Hayter commented that she could not recall the Consultative Committee discussing the proposed lease. She was aware that there had been Freedom of Information requests for information contained in the lease but by and large people were unaware of its content. In her view much of the lease should be within the public domain.
In response to a number of points raised the General Manager advised that some sections of the lease were and would remain confidential but much of the lease was not and had indeed been discussed in open forum.
In conclusion the Chair felt that Mr Hutchinson’s suggestion was an excellent one and that the Committee would be able to follow this practice in future.
RESOLVED
That in future recommendations arising from discussions of the Committee which require consideration by the Board, be reported to the Board in tabulated format, and the responses of the Board be reported to the next meeting of the Consultative Committee in the same format, as was the practice of the Advisory Committee.
(b) The general policy relating to leasing and sub-leasing to not for
Profit organizations carrying out the charity's objects, and the proportion of the charity land currently designated
Mr O’Callaghan raised the issue as stated in relation to the Sports club and that lease did not allow for sub-letting
Mr Loudfoot explained that the sports club wished for some changes to allow use of the ground by the soon to be built secondary school. It was the case that the current lease was due for a rent review and that this was a perfectly normal thing. It was the unfortunate that some publicity had been generated to pressure the trustees into not pursuing the ‘best rent reasonably obtainable’ Mr Loudfoot explained that the principles of best rent were a requirement of the charities act.
In further response to clarification from Mr O’Callaghan Mr Loudfoot advised that no leases were set aside specifically for any charitable use and that it was not the case that this should be so.
In due course the rent review would be reported to the board.
In conclusion the Chair summarised and it was:
RESOLVED
That the Consultative Committee discuss the lease at its meeting in October 2008.
(c ) Firoka
Matter dealt with earlier in the meeting.