Agenda item

i.                    Full Audit of HLF work in the Park – raised by Mr Aspden – Warner Estate Residents Association

ii.         The structure of the residual organisation that will be left to deal with matters relating to the Palace and the Park, on behalf of the Board.  - raised by Ms Hutchinson – Alexandra Residents Association

iii.        Advertising the draft  Order by the Charity Commission.- raised by Ms Myers – Muswell Hill and Fortis Green Association

i.                    Full Audit of HLF work in the Park – raised by Mr Aspden – Warner Estate Residents Association

The Chair asked for a brief update in respect the circulated audited report. 

In a brief introduction the General Manager, Mr Holder, advised of the resignation of the Parks Development Manager, Mr Baker, from his position due to personal reasons. The post would be now be advertised and the service would be managed in the interim by the Facilities Manager, Mr Loudfoot assisted by Land Use Consultants as necessary. The park management would not be transferred following signing of the lease with the Firoka Group and would remain within the management of the Charity Trustees. It was a condition of the HLF funding that there be a Parks Manager to oversee and manage initially the programme of work and subsequently the maintenance of the parkland. It was envisaged that the process for the appointment would take approx 2 months.

The Chair commented that Mr Baker had been a real asset to the service and had managed the project in an exceptional manner, and had been approachable to the public.  His knowledge of the HLF project had been first class and that his presence would be sorely missed. This comment was shared by the Committee and it was agreed that the General Manager be asked to pass on in writing the sentiments of the Committee to Mr Baker and also the Committee’s best wishes to Mr Baker for the future.

Ms Myers particularly commented on the walk about conducted the previous June by Mr Baker which was exceptionally successful and well received by the Public.

The Committee briefly discussed the contents of the audit in relation to various locations in the park and also made specific comments as follows:

·        Northview border relocation of trees

·        field area at Redstone Road  

·        works outside the boundary of the park at Muswell Hill and Bedford Road

·        the bad state and repair of the Park foot entrance at Muswell Hill

·        the need to highlight and celebrate the end of the HLF project in July 2007 

In respect of the content of the Audit, Mr Aspden advised that there were a number of misleading inaccuracies contained therein.  The audit was quite disappointing in its content.

Mr Loudfoot commented that the document was a ‘work in progress’ and would be happy to go through its contents with Mr Aspden outside of the meeting. Mr Aspden advised that he would email Mr Loudfoot with his concerns.

NOTED

ii.                  The structure of the residual organisation that will be left to deal with matters relating to the Palace and the Park, on behalf of the Board.  - raised by Ms Hutchinson – Alexandra Residents Association

A brief discussion as to the future management of the Trust post transfer of the asset ensued and the General Manager commented in respect of the residual requirements as landlord in ensuring the project agreement was adhered to.  There was to be monitoring surveyor to be employed as well as the existing Facilities Manager and admin/secretarial support.

Following further discussion in respect of the charity’s structure that will manage the residual functions post transfer of the asset to the Firoka Group the Committee felt that the Board considers and agrees that there be a clearly defined role which will encompass the requirements to fully comply with paragraph 4 of the draft order referred maintaining the requirements of the charitable trust as landlord and that the post be created in the form of ‘Clerk of Works’.

The Chair summarised and it was:

RESOLVED

that in respect of the charity’s structure that will manage the residual functions post transfer of the asset to the Firoka Group the Advisory Committee requests that the Board considers and agrees that there be a clearly defined role which will encompass the requirements to fully comply with paragraph 4 of the draft order referred to above thereby maintaining the requirements of the charitable trust as landlord and that the post be created in the form of ‘Clerk of Works’.

iii.                Advertising the draft  Order by the Charity Commission.- raised by Ms Myers – Muswell Hill and Fortis Green Association

This item was dealt with under Item 5 above.