The Wormwood Scrubs Charitable Trust Committee met on Tuesday 24 March 2026 to discuss the Manager's Report, which included updates on various projects and financial performance. Key decisions made included the approval of the annual report and financial statements, delegation of authority for the AEM Masterplan contract, and approval of a pilot workforce plan for 2026/27.

Manager's Report

The committee received a comprehensive Manager's Report, covering a range of operational and financial matters.

WSCT Annual Report and Financial Statements – 2024/25

The Trust delivered a surplus of £713,601 for the 2024/25 financial year. This surplus was significantly influenced by additional income from the Kensington Aldridge Academy's occupation of the parade ground, which concluded in December 2025, and the deferral of capital expenditure on some projects to 2025/26. The Statement of Accounts and Trustee's Annual Report were approved electronically in January 2026, with MHA reappointed as auditors. The committee unanimously agreed to approve the WSCT annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31st March 2025.

AEM Masterplan Procurement

The tender for the AEM Masterplan was launched in August 2025, with four bids received. While all bids exceeded the budget, they were consistent with market rates. Clause 8 of the 2016 AEM Agreement required HS2 to raise the funding cap if value for money was demonstrated. Officers had shared costs with HS2 under a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA). The committee delegated authority to the Chair to finalise the decision on the AEM Masterplan contract procurement. An update on this would follow in March 2026. The committee unanimously agreed to delegate authority to the Chair to progress the AEM Masterplan contract procurement.

Kensington Aldridge Academy (KAA2) Site Re-instatement

The Department for Education's (DfE) reinstatement plan for the KAA2 site ran from June to December 2025. The Trust negotiated continued rent after the licence expired, and works were completed on time. Additional rent funded new railings to prevent vehicle access. The Trust Manager was also working with Woodman's Mews residents on communal improvements to their estate in recognition of the disruption caused. Officers were developing outline future-use proposals for the site, which has a Metropolitan Open Land designation, with local community groups. These proposals would be presented to the committee once aligned with planning policy. The committee noted the re-instatement of the KAA2 site and resident engagement activities.

Grounds Maintenance Performance and Planned Activities

Approximately 8,000m² of scrub and bramble had been managed during the autumn with volunteer support, with remaining areas to be completed after the bird-nesting season ends in September 2026. Officers were monitoring the increasing green-waste pile and awaiting the contractor's final invasive-weed treatment plan, with penalties applicable for failure to meet requirements. Tree-work updates would be shared at least two weeks in advance, and weekly volunteering would continue with extra protection for ground-nesting birds. Users were reminded to keep dogs on leads in the Western Meadow until September 2026. The committee noted the performance of the grounds maintenance contractor and planned works from February to April 2026.

Linford Christie Stadium – Running Track Upgrade

Phase three of the Linford Christie Stadium programme was refined after initial tenders came back £230,000 over budget. The revised scheme prioritised the 400m track, floodlighting, and base repairs, reducing the shortfall to £128,000. This would be met through contributions from Hammersmith and Fulham Council's S106/CIL, the Council's Sports and Leisure department, and the Wormwood Scrubs Charitable Trust (WSCT) over 2025/26 and 2026/27. A letter of intent had been issued to the preferred bidder, and officers were awaiting confirmed dates while ensuring priority users, including local state schools, retained access. A final programme timetable would be reported in March 2026, and the committee was asked to approve a £20,000 uplift for this financial year. The committee unanimously agreed to approve a £20,000 uplift to the athletics track improvement scheme at Linford Christie Sports Stadium.

WSCT Workforce Plan for 2026/27

Key priorities for 2026/27 were identified, including compliance with grounds maintenance and ecological work, monitoring of byelaws, Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs), and sports bookings, and ensuring safe and accessible routes across the estate. A revised workforce structure was proposed, with the Head of Operations and Sustainability replacing and expanding the Trust Manager role. A new part-time, seasonal Engagement Officer would be recruited in spring 2026 to support on-site monitoring, with the structure piloted for one year. The proposal increased costs by £40,000, bringing staffing overheads to approximately £110,000 for 2026/27. The committee was asked to approve the workforce structure ahead of formal budget approval in March. The committee unanimously agreed to approve a pilot workforce plan for 2026/27.

Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) Improvement Works

Works to the MUGA were completed in early December 2025 after a four-week closure. These included replacing the damaged surface, installing a new asphalt sub-base and multi-use carpet, upgrading fencing, and adding LED floodlights, at a total cost of £64,000. The facility would remain open access with positive feedback from local parents and youth providers. Officers would continue to monitor usage and factor maintenance needs into future budgets. The committee noted the completion of works to the Multi-Use Games Area.

Braybrook Street Play Area Improvement Works

Phase 1 of the play area improvements for under-8s was completed in November 2025. Phase 2 would deliver improvements to the over-8s section, including a large, challenging wooden play structure, new safety surfacing, and low-level fencing. The tender process had concluded, a contractor had been appointed, and pre-start was scheduled for 23 March, with works beginning in early April. A planning application would be submitted to the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC) once the equipment was in place. Officers would work with the Friends of Wormwood Scrubs to consider options for shade and additional seating. The committee noted the updates on the Braybrook play improvements scheme.

BALI Awards 2025

The Wormwood Scrubs Charitable Trust and Idverde won BALI's Principal Award for Nature Conservation and Biodiversity Enhancement in December 2025, recognising the success of the Trust's eco-volunteering programme. In 2025, 168 sessions were delivered, with 1,224 volunteers contributing 5,732 hours, planting over 450 tree whips, managing 4,000m² of vegetation, and submitting valuable ecological data. The committee was asked to note these achievements and thank Idverde/RSPB and all volunteers for their contribution. The committee celebrated the Principal Award for Nature Conservation and Biodiversity Enhancement by the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI).

Community Safety Report

The report outlined recent activity by the Law Enforcement Team (LET), including 22 weapon sweeps (no weapons found) and 73 Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) sweeps in response to resident concerns, many relating to dogs and general public space awareness. The report also detailed how residents could contact the LET. Stephen Waley-Cohen (Co-opted Member) queried when the bollards next to Woodman's Mews would be operational, and Osama El-Amin (Trust Manager) confirmed they were active but kept lowered during the day to minimise noise. Stephen Waley-Cohen commended the team's work, particularly their handling of fly-tipping incidents. Faye Thomas (Co-opted Member) reported an abandoned motorbike requiring removal, which Claire Willis (Advisor to the Trust) confirmed had been reported to the Police and Idverde. The committee noted a community safety update.

WSCT Financial Performance to Year End

An overview of the Trust's financial forecast was provided. Subject to the 2024/25 audit, the outturn was a £713,601 surplus. The budget for 2025/26 was agreed with an anticipated net expenditure outturn of £401,947. The committee noted a comparison of the Trust's finance to year-end.

Any Other Business (AOB)

Stephen Waley-Cohen (Co-opted Member) observed that trees planted in the north-west corner of the Scrubs over the past two to four years appeared to have died and expressed hope they would be replaced with species more suited to the site's conditions. Osama El-Amin confirmed he would inspect the area and report back.

Resolved Decisions

The committee resolved to:

• Approve the WSCT annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31st March 2025.
• Delegate authority to the Chair to progress the AEM Masterplan contract procurement.
• Note the re-instatement of the KAA2 site and resident engagement activities.
• Note performance of the grounds maintenance contractor and planned works from February – April 2026.
• Approve a £20,000 uplift to the athletics track improvement scheme at Linford Christie Sports Stadium.
• Approve a pilot workforce plan for 2026/27.
• Note completion of works to the Multi-Use Games Area.
• Note updates on the Braybrook play improvements scheme.
• Celebrate the Principal Award for Nature Conservation and Biodiversity Enhancement by the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI).
• Note a community safety update.
• Note a comparison of the Trust's finance to year end.

The next meeting was scheduled for 17th June 2026.