Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Ms Lacroix and Councillor Portess, and for lateness and possible non attendance from Councillors Demirci and Patel, who were attending a Licencing Sub-Committee of the Local Authority (which had been scheduled to take place prior to this meeting date being confirmed).

NOTED

Members of the Committee are invited to disclose any interest they may have in any items appearing on the agenda.

Nil Items.

The Clerk to the Committee – Mr Hart advised the meeting that Councillor Portess had been appointed by the LB Haringey at its Full Council meeting on 16 July 2007 to the remaining vacancy of Council wide appointee on the Statutory Advisory Committee.

NOTED

i)                    To approve the minutes of the meeting of the Advisory Committee held on 3 July 2007  (attached).

                        ii)         To consider any matters arising from the Minutes.

                        iii)        To note the draft minutes of the meeting of the Alexandra Palace and Park Board held on 17 July 2007, and the Consultative Committee of 10 July 2007.

(i)                 Alexandra Park and Palace Advisory Committee – 3 July 2007

Mr Hart advised that a revised set of minutes had been tasbled which had picked up on some minor typing errors since the minutes had been circulated.

The Chair asked if there were any points of accuracy.

Mr Frith advised that in effect the minute reference APSC13 was incorrect in its sentiments as it had not fully stated Mr Frith’s views which he had asked to have formally endorsed.

Mr Frith went on to explain that he maybe had not been as clear as  he might have in that in respect of a number of recommendations put to the Board in the Autumn of 2006 and the subsequent response of the Board to those recommendations on 14 November 2006 – he was asking that the Advisory Committee request the Board, in terms of its responses of 14 November 2006 – to confirm to the Advisory Committee how they were going to ensure the implementation of the responses.

The Chair in response to Mr Frith advised that as the original reference to the Board on 3 July 2007 had only been received by the Board on 16 July 2007 he felt that it was appropriate to resubmit this reference to the Board on 30 October 2007.

RESOLVED  

That the minutes of the Alexandra Park and Palace Advisory Committee held on 3 July 2007 be confirmed as an accurate record of the proceedings subject to the following amendment:

APSC 13 - that in respect of a number of recommendations put to the Board in the Autumn of 2006 and the subsequent response of the Board to those recommendations on 14 November 2006 – that the Advisory Committee request the Board, in terms of its responses of 14 November 2006, to confirm to the Advisory Committee how they were going to ensure the implementation of the responses. 

Matters Arising

Mr Aspden referred to the circulated map – ref in page 5 of the minutes and thanked officers for its supply. In response to clarification to whether the formal letter to the Charity Commission had been included with the minutes of the meeting Mr Hart confirmed that this was the case.

Mr Aspden also commented that the 2 other recommendations put to the Board on 16 July 2007 had been responded to and thanked officers for the efforts now that the bus stop had been reinstated.  

 NOTED

(ii)               Alexandra Palace and Park Board – 16 July 2007

The Chair asked if there were any points of clarification or comment.

Councillor Oatway expressed her concerns that it appeared to be the case (especially with the previous discussion) that the Board only appeared to pay ‘lip service’ to the recommendations of the Advisory committee and that she felt that the Board needed to address this issue and take full account of recommendations put to it by this Committee.  This comment was echoed by a number of those present.

The Chair responded that as observer on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

The Chair asked for a brief introduction of the report.

At this point in the proceedings Councillor Oatway asked if Mr Holder – Consultant Development Manager – clarify his position in relation to the Board and Charitable Trust as there had had been some misconceptions within the public arena.

In response Mr Holder advised the meeting that he was appointed and employed on a consultancy basis as Consultant Development Manager to the charitable trust with a remit to ensure the implementation of the proposed lease and project plan with the proposed lessee – the Firoka Group.  For the record Mr Holder advised that he was not employed or worked in any capacity for the Firoka Group.

Councillor Oatway thanked Mr Holder for his clarification. In respect of the fact that there was a verbal update to be given Councillor Oatway felt that it would be appropriate given the gravity of the current situation that Members should have received a written  report to consider and asked that in future this be provided.  This sentiment was shared by Councillor Whyte.  

Mr Holder and Mr Loudfoot advised that whilst this was possible the Committee had to recognise that by the time a report was written and sent out – at the point of the meeting the report would be considerably outdated and would require much updating.

The Chair, whilst accepting that this may be the case thought it would be appropriate to at least have a written report prior to the meeting.

The Chair then asked Mr Holder for an introduction.

Mr Holder, in apologising that he had been away on holiday and not in Court to hear the judgement of the judicial review, advised that he had been informed by those who had attended the Court hearing that the judge had concluded that the consultation had not been dealt with as agreed and stated by the Ministerial requirements for consultation ion the future of the asset in that the Charity Commission had not carried out full consultation in the spirit of those sentiments and therefore the order issued by the Charity Commission was flawed  and therefore quashed.  The judgement was based on the narrow argument of the issue of the lease and project agreement not being available to interested parties during the consultation process.  Mr Holder however stated that until there was a full transcript of the judgement he was not in a position to comment further at this point.

The Chair thanked Mr Holder for his introduction.

The Committee then discussed the outcome of the Judicial Review and the judgment, as well the implications for the Trust and the Council, and the role of the Advisory Committee – the main points of the discussion being:

• The need for Members of the Committee to have sight of the full judgement and transcript of the court hearing in order to have a clear understanding of the actual sentiments of the judgement as opposed to hearsay comment and speculation, and confirming by Keith Holder  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

The Chair asked for a brief introduction of the report.

In a succinct introduction to the circulated report Mr Evison gave a brief update of each of the areas of HLF work and answered points of clarification.  Mr Evison TABLED plans submitted by the operators of the Grove, and Lakeside Cafes in relation to plans for low level fencing, and awnings which they intended to install in the near future.  There had been checks made to the Local Authority Planning Service and it was confirmed that the proposals did not required any planning permission.

In discussing and welcoming the proposals the Committee asked that it be supplied with better design drawing once submitted to the General Manager. The Committee also asked that it be impressed on the Lakeside Café operator that the outside awning must be non-smoking.

The Committee sought clarification as to a number of issues including:

• The parking space increase by 2 spaces at ??? and the issue of parking usage in the  arpark by commercial vehicles, and continuing issues re Buckingham Lodge parking arrangements;
• The issue of speed restrictions across the Palace roads and the incicents of buses and cars speeding and whthwer some action could be taken and issues of Police enforcement for breaches;
• The success of the Information Centre and the steady stream of visitors during the summer period to now – and the efforts of 3 volunteers – who were members of this Advisory committee, and the Committee’s thanks to those volunteers for their efforts;
•  ???? discussions re parking around a parade of shops – I’d lost the will to live by then
• Ditto above re rare butterflies and an enclosure ???????
• The matter of the conservation area’s shabby and somewhat tatty appearance and the need for improvement and some TLC;
• The need for improvement to the Redston Road entrance and pond area and the mystery of who dredged the pond.
• That the HLF programme was reaching its conclusion and that there would be a programme of work to maintain and upkeep the project and that the overall programme had been a magnificent achievement and its results much appreciated and welcomed.
• That an audit of tree planting and cutting was due to be finalised and that this would then be acted upon.

The Chair then summarised and it was:

RESOLVED

i.                    That the contents of the report be noted;

ii.                  That the detailed plans of proposals to the Grove, and lakeside Cafes be circulated to the Advisory Committee for their information; and

iii.                That the 3 volunteers at the Information Centre who are members of the Advisory Committee be thanked for their efforts in helping the Park Manager.

The Chair asked for a brief update.

Mr Loudfoot advised the Committee that the main overnight event was scheduled for 22 March 2008 ‘Slamming Vinyl’ which was the Easter period, and that the ‘Cinderella – Holiday on Ice ‘ was scheduled for 10-16 December 2007.

In response to clarification re the annual Fireworks display event Mr Loudfoot advised that the arrangements were being finalised and invitations would be issued by the early part of the week commencing 22 October 2007.

Ms Baker commented on the event the previous week which she had attended and that the food was of very poor quality and seemed to be mainly not eaten because of its taste/appearance.

In response Mr Loudfoot advised that he would look into the issue and report back to the next scheduled meeting.

NOTED

(i)                 Ms Hutchinson raised the issue of the crossing points at the fron to f the Palace which were hazardous and dangerous, and she asked if there were any plans for improvement.

In response Mr Loudfoot advised that he would look into the issue and report back to the next scheduled meeting.

Ms Myers also referred to the difficulties at the Grove bus stop and the crossing hazard there.  In response Mr Loudfoot advised that he would look into the issue and report back to the next scheduled meeting.

NOTED

5 FEBRUARY 2008

5 FEBRUARY 2007

There being no further business to discuss the meeting ended at 21.25hrs.