The Barham Park Trust Committee met to discuss the Barham Park Estate, approve the annual report for the Barham Park Trust for 2024/25, and appoint a chair and vice-chair for the 2025-26 municipal year. Councillor Muhammed Butt was appointed as Chair and Councillor Mili Patel as Vice Chair of the Trust Committee for 2025-26. The committee also approved the annual report and accounts for 2024-25, and noted operational and strategic updates regarding the estate.

Barham Park Estate Operational and Strategic Update

The Barham Park Trust Committee noted the operational and strategic updates regarding the Barham Park Estate, which included progress on lease renewals, arrears management, and building works. The committee was also updated on the application made to the Charity Commission regarding the use of restricted funds for building works and concerning 776 and 778 Harrow Road.

Lease Renewals and Lettings

Since the last meeting, there has been progress in regularising tenancy arrangements across the Barham Park Estate. The lease renewal for Unit 1, occupied by Tamu Samaj UK, has been completed, and the lease renewal for Unit 2, occupied by the Veterans' Club, is at an advanced stage. Both leases are for a five-year term and include phased rent increases.

In relation to Unit 8, the council formally vacated the property at the end of April 2025. Following a marketing exercise, the unit has been allocated to a new community-focused tenant, EchoVibe Hub, subject to a lease agreement.

Once the lease renewals and new lettings are completed, the Trust's annual rental income is expected to increase by £17,820, reaching a total of £87,991 in the short term. An additional £2,250 is anticipated from scheduled rent uplifts for units 1 and 2, bringing the total to £90,241 per annum in the long term.

Heads of terms have been agreed with the Friends of Barham Library for the temporary occupation of vacant Unit 7. The prospective tenant has expressed interest in making external alterations, i.e., a new front entrance to improve accessibility. These proposals were not included in the original terms and may have implications for planning, heritage, and future redevelopment, and will therefore require careful consideration.

Rent Arrears and Lease Management

Arrears across the estate have continued to decline, with outstanding debt from an existing tenant falling from £51,800 in March 2024 to £22,577 in March 2025, and further to £14,384 as at the date of the report. The proposed re-gear of ACAVA's lease to release Unit 6 from their demise has not yet advanced and discussions are ongoing. Virgin Media, which vacated the premises, remains subject to ongoing legal proceedings for the recovery of outstanding arrears totalling £3,520. There are currently no outstanding rent reviews.

Year One Building Works

Planned improvements include priority roof repairs to make the building weather-tight, render repairs, selective window replacements, external redecorations, and façade enhancements to both the park-facing and Harrow Road elevations. The works will be funded from the Trust's restricted funds (inclusive of VAT and professional fees). The Trust Committee noted that the Charity Commission has confirmed its approval to use £352,221 from restricted funds to deliver the year one building works.

A competitive tender was issued in May 2025 via the Pagabo Framework¹, by OCR Surveying Ltd, the Trust's appointed property consultant. Three bids were received; however, all exceeded the available budget. OCR is currently in dialogue with the bidders to explore opportunities for value engineering and scope adjustments to bring the project within budget.

Parks

Essential tree maintenance works valued at £18,055 + VAT have now been commissioned following a competitive procurement process. These will be funded through unrestricted funds and are necessary due to storm damage identified in the 2024 Tree Survey. Drainage on the events field remains a concern.

The funfair is scheduled to take place on two occasions this year, with the total number of operational days likely to exceed the 28-day threshold permitted for temporary uses under Permitted Development Rights². Officers are currently reviewing the planning position in consultation with colleagues in the Planning Service to determine whether the continued operation of the funfair requires a certificate of lawfulness or retrospective planning permission. Expected revenue from the funfair this year is approximately £42,313 from two events over 34 operational days.

Health and Safety and Compliance

The Trust continues to work towards maintaining statutory compliance across all units and Officers are continuing to work with tenants to ensure all required safety documentation is in place and up to date. EPC ratings have been updated, with all units achieving between C and D. An asbestos survey has been carried out of the whole building that made recommendations for very low/low risks asbestos control and management, which the council will implement in due course.

Finance Update

The Trust's financial position as at March 2025 is as follows:

• Unrestricted funds: £342,228, with a current liability of £16,034 (invoices due for surveying and professional fees not yet paid).
• Restricted funds: £369,978, before the anticipated commitment of £352,221 for year one building works.
• Lettings income: Currently £70,171 per annum, with projected increases.
• Funfair income: Forecast at £42,313 for 2025/26.
• Significant expenditure: The year one building works, valued at £352,221, will be funded from restricted reserves, with Charity Commission approval.

A new bank account/s (interest-bearing and non-interest-bearing accounts) for the Trust have been successfully established.

776 and 778 Restrictive Covenant Modifications

In respect of 776 and 778 Harrow Road, following approval by the Trust Committee in February 2025 an application was submitted to the Charity Commission seeking consent to modify or remove the covenants in exchange for a one-off payment of £200,000 to the Trust. As at the date of this report, a decision from the Charity Commission remains pending.

Proposed Redevelopment and Charitable Purpose Expansion

Work is ongoing to develop the long-term plan for Barham Park, in line with the 'bronze option' approved by the Trust Committee in 2024. Officers are close to completing Phase 1 of the tenant engagement process, which involved sending questionnaires to all tenants to gather feedback on current use and future aspirations. Phase 2, which will involve formal consultation on redevelopment proposals, is scheduled to begin in 2026.

Approach to Strategic Property Management

As part of good estate management, officers will review the Council's Property Strategy to identify best practice approaches that may be applicable to the Trust.

Officers have received a tentative approach from advisers to a water company, for the temporary siting of a works compound at Barham Park to facilitate works to water infrastructure on the Harrow Road.

Barham Park Trust Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25

The Barham Park Trust Committee approved the Annual Report and Barham Park Trust Accounts 2024-25, noted the Independent Examiners Review of Barham Park Trust Accounts for 2024-25, and authorised officers to update the Charity Commission with the Barham Park Trust Annual Report and Accounts for 2024-25.

The annual accounts for 2024/25 have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis using the current template provided by the Charity Commission. The Trust's accounts form part of Brent Council's group accounts. For the financial year 2024/25, the Trust has transitioned fully to a cash accounting basis.

A new bank account for the Trust has been opened and cash funds of £712,207 accumulated until 31st March 2025 were transferred to the bank account. To optimise interest earnings on the available funds, £700,000 was transferred to the interest-bearing deposit account. The remaining £12,207 was allocated to the non-interest-bearing current account to cover operational liquidity needs.

The annual report outlines the work undertaken on behalf of the Trust during the year, which included the repair and improvement works on the park and ongoing work to secure tenants for the various buildings on the site.

The accounts have been subject to an independent examination by the Deputy Director Organisational Assurance & Resilience. There were no recommendations raised.

During the financial year 2024/25, the Trust incurred a total expenditure of £75,716 including building maintenance and insurance premiums. The Trust received total income of £149,717, which was derived from activities such as funfairs, rental charges, and interest earnings.

As of 31st March 2025, the Trust have the following assets:

• £342,228 unrestricted funds
• £369,978 restricted funds
• £22,577 other monetary assets
• £939,071 asset representing the valuation of the Barham Park Building Complex

As of the end of the 2024/25 financial year, the Trust reported a current liability of £16,034. The Trust has achieved a surplus of £74,001, net of receipts and payments, and increased its total cash funds from £638,206 reported in 2023-24 to £712,207 reported in 2024-25.

Total payments for the financial year 2024/25 increased by £9,621 compared to the previous year. Total receipts for the financial year 2024/25 rose by £20,599 compared to the previous year.

The restricted funds balance as of 31st March 2025 amounted to £369,978 reflecting resources designated for specific purposes in accordance with the Trust's policy. £352,221 out of the current restricted funds are expected to be used for urgent repairs in 2025/26 subject to approval by the Charity Commission.

Appointment of Chair and Vice Chair for the 2025-26 Municipal Year

Councillor Muhammed Butt, Leader of the Council, was appointed as Chair and Councillor Mili Patel, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources, as Vice Chair of the Trust Committee for 2025-26.