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If you want to know what is going on at WPCC ...

As a service to the 60,000+ Commons levy-payers, I’ve pasted below the latest “resolutions” from the February WPCC board meeting which is meant to help levy-payers understand what is going on. It doesn’t. It has just been quietly added to their website (https://www.wpcc.org.uk/downloads/conservator-minutes/wpcc-board-meeting-resolutions-final0219.pdf) without fanfare. It doesn‘t mention that the long overdue Charity Commission Statutory Inquiry Report has still not been published. The draft to be for factually checked by past and present Trustees and other interested parties is now expected during the first quarter of 2019. I’m advised by the CC. It will not be made public at that stage. So do not expect to hear anything until at least the second half of the year, well after the WPCC annual meeting.This sanitised “summary” of what was actually discussed is a skillful way of saying practically nothing at all. In fact none of the documents and reports they discussed are available, none of the sub-committee minutes are published, or any of the Chief Executive’s reports or other relevant information. No one can attend board meetings and it’s therefore a closed loop of non-information which is almost impossible to decifer.Here are a few examples from the document below. Bear in mind that the new board when it met for the first time last year promised to encourage openness and transparency.1. The board received the management accounts and approved them. They approved the projected outturn for 2018/19. The accounts are not available, no figures for the outturn or adjustments are provided.2. The board approved the 2019/20 budget. It’s not available and no detail is given.3. The board resolved to approve in principle the new Conservators Code of Conduct as well as the draft WPCC Charging Policy supporting the implementation of the WPCC Access Framework. Whatever that is - it’s not provided. It will be discussed by the “Stakeholders Group”, who meet in secret and don’t publish dates of meetings or minutes. Only one of its members dares to provide a personal email on the WPCC website.4. The Board RESOLVED to a) support ‘in-principle’ the structure and mechanism as set out in the report for establishing a Conservator-led Supporters’ Programme of WPCC (not included); b) share the proposed structure with other organisations/individuals who expressed an interest in a Supporters’ Group to ascertain their views and to bring a detailed paper to the April 2019 Board for its approval - no list included. This paper when it is produced probably won’t be published.5. The Board RESOLVED to approve the Enquiries, Fee Guidance and Complaints Policy for management of information requests made under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004, subject to the changes made at the Board meeting and confirmation that the policy adheres to the Information Commissioner’s Office guidance and that this be included under the Compliments, Enquiries and Complaints section of the WPCC website. The paper is not attached. They have been refusing all requests for info under EIR. Those specific requests are not listed.6. Various reverences to parking charges and bye-laws are made. But little context is provided. But be careful you pick up after your dog, as if you don’t your breaking the law ...Here is the full text.+++++++++++Resolutions from Board Meeting of the Wimbledon and Putney Commons Conservators (WPCC) 11th February 2019Item 02.19.6 December 2018 Management Accounts and Projected Outturn for 2018/19The Board RESOLVED to receive the management accounts for the period ending the 31st December 2018 and supported the recommendation from the Finance and Investment Committee to approve the projected outturn for 2018/19, based on the adjustments set out in the report.Item 02.19.7 Proposed Budget 2019/20The Board RESOLVED to approve the proposed budget for the financial year 2019/20 set out in Appendix 1 of the report as recommended by the Finance and Investment Committee and to include the proposed non-recurring one off costs associated with the development of WPCC’s long term strategy as below the line expenditure and for consideration by the Board as part of the 2019/20 Business Plan.Item 02.19.8 Conservators’ Code of ConductThe Board RESOLVED to approve the updated Code of Conduct for Conservators that sets out the conduct expected of someone in public service and incorporates procedures for managing conflicts of interest, dignity and complaints, enabling WPCC to deal with any breaches of conduct and behaviour by a Conservator.Item 02.19.9 Access Framework – Charging PolicyThe Board RESOLVED to approve in principle the draft WPCC Charging Policy supporting the implementation of the WPCC Access Framework, subject to:a) confirmation that the Access Framework and Charging Policy meet the requirements and duties of the Charities Act 2011 and Wimbledon and Putney Commons Act 1871; andb) feedback from the WPCC Stakeholder Group and that both documents are then subject to final ratification by the Board.Item 02.19.10 Car Parking and ByelawsThe Board RESOLVED that efforts be made to improve awareness and to promote and facilitate drivers to pay the voluntary donation at the Commons car parks or to sign up to the voluntary season ticket.The Board RESOLVED that Byelaw 8 applies to the whole of the Commons and that it is criminal offence liable on summary conviction for a person in charge of any dog not to pick up faeces and dispose of it in a receptacle provided on the Commons or remove it from the Commons.Item 02.19.11 Establishment of WPCC Supporters’ ProgrammeThe Board RESOLVED to:a) support ‘in-principle’ the structure and mechanism as set out in the report for establishing a Conservator-led Supporters’ Programme of WPCC; andb) share the proposed structure with other organisations/individuals who expressed an interest in a Supporters’ Group to ascertain their views and to bring a detailed paper to the April 2019 Board for its approval.Item 02.19.12 Regulatory UpdateThe Board RESOLVED to approve the Enquiries, Fee Guidance and Complaints Policy for management of information requests made under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004, subject to the changes made at the Board meeting and confirmation that the policy adheres to the Information Commissioner’s Office guidance and that this be included under the Compliments, Enquiries and Complaints section of the WPCC website.Present: Conservators:Mrs Diane Neil Mills, Chairman Mrs Shirley GillbeMr David HinceMr Peter HirschMr Mike Rappolt Dr Ros Taylor Mr Nigel WareOfficersMr Simon Lee, Chief ExecutiveMr Stephen Bound, Chief Operations ManagerMs Paula Graystone, Deputy Clerk and RangerMrs Angela Evans-Hill, PA to CEO and Communications Officer+++++++++Nick

Nicholas Evans ● 2816d5 Comments

The Charity Commission stated in December 2017...“The Interim Manager will submit a final report to the Commission when he has gathered further information on valuation matters and completed his review. The Commission will, subject to the Interim Manager’s findings, look to close the inquiry as soon as is reasonably practicable. We cannot put a definite timescale on this at present but envisage it being within the first six months of next year *.”* 2018

John Cameron ● 2816d

Thanks for the update Nick and John.  A further example of a complete lack of regard for levy-payers, and incomprehensible delay by the CC.

Chantal Blake-Milton ● 2816d

One of the unknowns from the WPCC are the plans to change the 1871 Act - the founding legislation of the charity. The local MP for Wimbledon, (who tried to persuade the Charity Commission to sack me) intends to sponsor the changes in Parliament. The group have terms of reference which talk in Lee’s management speak about making the Act ‘fit for purpose’. Points which are non negotiable are noted, but leave out the protection that the common may not be built on, or that common land cannot be sold, leased or disposed of in any way.Why would the ‘red lines’ not mention these most fundamental of protections?The group have no public / levy payers representation and is chaired by Lee, who is keen to bring commercial partners to the common, which he regards as a property plc.The current trustees made a great deal of acting transparently when they ran for election just over a year ago. But the reality is that the WPCC continue to act opaquely - a cosy clique, led by the dreadful Lee.

John Cameron ● 2815d

Nick & John, We all appreciate your continued interest in the W & P Commons, lets not let up on the poorly run WPCC.Nil desperandum carburundum illegitami

Robert E Wilkinson ● 2814d

The WPCC's stated intention is to amend the 1871 Act - to make it 'fit for purpose'. This will include changes to allow Simon Lee to turn the commons into the mini property plc that he thinks it is.  The Malvern Hills Conservators, who Lee much admires, are making slow progress in changing the legislation which governs their land.  It is interesting to note that Malvern have spent over £100,000 so far on legal fees.  Expect similar amounts to be spent by Lee, funded out of the Levy, paid by resident.  The following questions were asked of the Malvern board at their recent meeting.---------------------------------------------------Questions submitted by Rob Baker1. What is the current total expenditure on the Charity Commission Scheme to date?The updated figure will be reported at the meeting. Legal costs are £104,000approx.2. What is your best estimate of the final expenditure?It remains, as reported in the minutes of the last Board meeting, at £145,0003. Why was public consultation not carried out before this expenditure was incurred?It is not possible to consult the public until such time as there are some proposalsto form the basis of the consultation. The review of the 5 Acts of parliament hasbeen time consuming, and it has been necessary to obtain detailed advice on thepossible content of the Scheme - to go out to public consultation on matters oroptions that may be outside its scope would be pointless.4  Why are you engaging consultants, with a budget of £20,000, to conduct the'public consultation' after you have committed to this huge financial outlay?The sum of £20,000 is a contingency fund set aside to cover all costs of the publicconsultation including room hire, printing, publicity and additional staffrequirements. Only a small proportion (£4k) of the budget is for the engagementof consultants.5. What purpose will a 'public consultation' serve other than to inform preceptpayers what you have already decided at great public expense?This question is based on a misunderstanding of the nature of a consultation. Theconsultation will gather public responses to the various options and proposals andthese will be fully considered and the draft amended to reflect the ideas andconcerns raised where appropriate.  A public consultation is a normal part of aCharity Commission Scheme.6. What benefits will be gained by precept payers from the Charity CommissionScheme?7. Why do you need to increase your powers to manage the hills and commons?8. How will the scheme enable better management of the hills and commons?It is impossible to fully answer these questions as part of the public questionssection of this meeting. Please refer to the minutes and papers of the GovernanceCommittee and the Board meetings since October 2016. In broad terms, theTrust's ability to manage its land and to raise funds has been thwarted by thelimitations of the governing Acts as identified over many years. To broaden thesepowers will enable the Trust better to fulfil its charitable objectives. The proposedchanges will also enable the Trust to be managed in accordance with current bestpractice.The public consultation will include full explanation of the reasons behind thechanges to the powers which are being proposed, how the scheme will enablebetter management of the hills, and the benefits it will give both the preceptpayers and the wider public.9. How many years of fundraising do you anticipate it will require to recover the costof the Charity Commission Scheme?There are no plans to fundraise specifically to cover the cost of the Scheme.10. Will you be allocating a further budget for fundraising?Further fundraising budgets may be set by the Board in the future.11. Why should you continue to receive a precept?The entitlement to precept is set out in the Acts. The Trust manages 1800 ha ofland which is freely available for the use of the public

John Cameron ● 2781d