FOWWS Committee meeting 20/2/20
MINUTES OF MEETING
FRIENDS OF WORMWOOD SCRUBS COMMITTEE
ON THURS 20 FEBRUARY 2020 AT 1 WALLINGFORD AVE, W10 AT 6PM
Present: Stephen (Chair), David, Nina, Smita, Stewart, Sarah and Carmel. Apologies: Miriam, Tony, Eleanor
1. Minutes of previous meeting approved and matters arising: Earth Regeneration Consultation Report has not been issued despite requests. Nina was asked to pursue who the new contact is at the Hospital. Funding –thanks to donations received FoWWS were able to contribute £260 to Henry Peterson to assist in obtaining a legal opinion on the Scrubs Lane development
2. Update from the WWS Charitable Trust Meeting. With Miriam absent as Stephen had to leave the last Charitable Trust meeting in Jan early, Miriam will report back to the next meeting of the Committee. Following on from the Earth Regeneration Consultation, another consultation is being undertaken by Landscape Use Consultancy (LUC) to develop Wormwood Scrubs Biodiversity & Connectivity Masterplan and following an event in October, further meetings will be held over next couple of weeks. All members encouraged to attend and push for ‘more wild than tamed’, better signage and the paths to be better maintained, etc. Nina and Stewart both confirmed attending on the 22nd Feb. Stephen and Miriam met with further consultants In Partnership With Ltd who are looking at Options 2 and 3 (Option 1 do nothing is not being looked at) for the LCS recently and encouraged them to speak with all stakeholders in LCS and Scrubs including KDFC, TVH, Imperial, American baseball, etc. Expect to publish their findings in a few months so should come to the July or Sept Charitable Trust meeting. On KDFC interim proposals, Stephen will write to David Burns at LBHF to encourage progress.
3. Date for AGM Proposed date of 16th April, and Smita will check on availability of the Brickfields Hall (subsequently date changed to the 15th April). Carmel will prepare the Notices and Annual Report with support from other members including David. Needs to be issued at least 14 days prior to the meeting via email. Smita is taking over as Treasurer and will liaise with Tony on the Accounts to be prepared. Stephenwill invite Richard Gill to address the meeting.
4. Charitable Status of the FoWWS – next steps: David was congratulated and thanked for all his efforts in achieving charitable status. To claim tax relief on charitable donations requires two trustees to register with HMRC. Meeting agreed on Smita and Carmel to register with HMRC. Our Financial Year starts on 5th April so the first Annual Report and Accounts to be filed with the Charities Commission within 10 months of 4/4/21.
5. Proposal re: Farm – The proposal is for a petting zoo covering approx. 3 hectares with a charge of £5 for entry. David has reviewed the legal position as to whether planning permission is likely to be granted. From statute and case law likely to come up against various hurdles including the charges to be made, buildings being seen as permanent structures, and whether activities will constitute ‘recreation’. Agreed that Stephenwill write to say that the Friends cannot support the proposal.
6. Update from Comms Group including website:
a. Social Media – Sarah said the website needs to be on Square Space and £10 per month charge for that. Expenditure agreed. Sarah will progress and be lead and will ensure links to Instagram and Facebook. Social Media seen as best way to communicate with users etc.
b. Newsletters and PR: Nina will be lead and will prepare a Newsletter to go out before AGM in mid April.
7. Assets of Community Value – Smita has received acknowledgement of LCS application. Nina has yet to submit the application for the Community Centre.
8. Other Updates/Developments: Nina requested fundraising be on agenda for next meeting. Smita will write to Richard Gill re: dead foxes on Scrubs
9. AOB: Planting Day proposed for 7th March for trees donated by LBHF. Stephen will write to Richard Gill to ensure he is aware of and involved in overseeing this.
10. DATE OF NEXT MEETING – Tues 12th May at 6pm at 1 Wallingford Gardens.
CM 22nd Feb 2020