Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Andrew Gill (Interim General Manager – Alexandra Palace) and Jane Hutchinson (Alexandra Residents’ Association) for whom Caroline Hayter was substituting.

Apologies for lateness were received from Councillors Matt Davies and Martin Newton.

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

There were no declarations of interest.

i)          To approve the minutes of the Advisory Committee held on 1^st September 2009 (attached).

ii)         To receive the draft minutes of the meeting of the Alexandra Palace and Park Board held on 6^th October (to follow) and 15^th October (to follow) to be noted.

iii)        To receive the draft minutes of the meeting of the Consultative Committee held on 8^th September 2009 (attached) to be noted.

1.         The Committee noted that in relation to APSC17 the water drainage problems in the Redston Field area of the Park had been fixed by Thames Water.

            RESOLVED that the minutes of the Advisory Committee held on 1^st September 2009 be agreed as a correct record of the proceedings.

2.         The minutes of the meeting of the Alexandra Palace and Park Board held on 6^th October and 15^th October would be available at the next meeting of the Advisory Committee.

3.         The draft minutes of the meeting of the Consultative Committee held on 8^th September 2009 were noted.

To consider information  (tabled) about planned improvement and investment works for the Alexandra Park pitch and putt course from David Bugg, Golfwise.

The Committee received verbal presentations from David Bugg (Golf Wise Ltd) and John Angel (Urban Crazy Ltd) and other representatives on drainage and landscaping improvements, and proposals for the existing pitch and putt area, and a mini-golf course in an area which was not currently used. 

The pitch and putt drainage would be improved by using crushed materials to enable water to drain out of the soil, and to the bottom of the course. The fairways and slopes would be re-graded and re-grassed.  The course appearance would remain natural with no damage to existing mature trees.

A document detailing the mini-golf course was tabled and the Committee was informed that the installation would not change the visual aspect of the Park and would use natural resources.  The course would be approved by the British Mini-Golf Association (BMGA) and accessible to all and training for young children could be provided.  The Committee noted that this was not an adventure golf course.

In response to questioning the Committee was informed that the toilets and refreshments facilities in the pitch and putt course would be accessible for patrons using the mini-golf course.

Committee members expressed concerns that heavy duty lorries entering the Park to deliver materials would have an adverse affect on local roads and residents.  Apart from this, the Advisory Committee approved the proposals as long as the view of the Park was not materially affected by the proposed works.

RESOLVED

That the proposals be noted and that the Board be asked to note the Advisory Committee’s comments.

To receive the report of the Park Manager, Alexandra Palace, updating the Advisory Committee on events and works within the park.

Mark Evison, Park Manager, introduced the report informing the Committee of he recent activities carried out in the Park.  The Committee were informed that LB Haringey’s Chief Financial Officer had noted the report with no further comments.

Committee members questioned the tree works identified in paragraph 6.7 of the report.  Mr Evison explained that the trees had to be assessed regularly and a range of works for health and safety reasons had to be carried out e.g. removing dead branches hanging over footpaths. 

Committee members questioned the pest control vehicles which were seen in the Park recently and were informed that they were removing guano (mess from the birds) from various locations around the palace building.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

To receive the report of the Managing Director, Alexandra Palace Trading Limited (APTL) advising the Advisory Committee on forthcoming events to the end of the financial year.

The Committee received the report detailing forthcoming events at the Palace, introduced by Rebecca Kane, Managing Director – Alexandra Palace Trading Limited (APTL).  Ms Kane highlighted the concerts by Jay-Z and Morrissey occurring on 4^th and 5^th November and the Fireworks event on Saturday 7^th November.  The Committee expressed concerns about access to the Park during Fireworks night and that advance notice should be given if entrances were going to be closed.  Ms Kane explained that the Police made the decision in previous years to close entrances to the Park and it was their prerogative to decide such matters.

The Committee noted that APTL had launched e-commerce and pantomime tickets were now available on-line.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

To receive the report from the Managing Director of Alexandra Palace Trading Limited (APTL) updating on the review of the governance of Alexandra Palace.

The Committee received the report on the review of governance, and creating a vision for Alexandra Palace, introduced by Rebecca Kane (Managing Director – Alexandra Palace Trading Limited (APTL)). She informed the Committee that a written report on the outcome of the Stakeholders Event held on 24^th October 2009 would be sent to stakeholders in the week commencing 9^th November 2009.  Stakeholders were expected to communicate the report to their resident’s associations/ colleagues etc. and provide feedback to the Palace.

APTL had sent out a tender, for the appointment of a communications management firm and once a contract had been agreed the successful firm would take on the Palace website to make it more interactive and will be responsible for the Palace’s newsletters and other communication.

The link to the community page on the Alexandra Palace website was:

 http://www.alexandrapalace.com/About_Us/Community.html

RESOLVED

i.          That the update on the Trustees’ away day and next steps as prepared by the independent facilitator be noted.

ii.         That the key actions arising from the current communications strategy be noted and supported.

iii.        That the financial commitment to the project to date, which was budgeted within the Trust’s development fund, and included an element of branding work, budgeted within APTL’s marketing costs, be noted.  Any additional works arising from the yet to be approved Communications Strategy would be subject to Trustee approval.

To receive the report of the Park Manager, Alexandra Palace, detailing proposals for an Adizone outdoor Gym. Officers from the London Borough of Haringey Parks Service will present the proposals to the Committee.

The Committee received a presentation by Paul Ely (LB Haringey Recreation Service – Policy Development Manager) on proposals for an adiZone outdoor gym facility to be installed on the Newland Road playing field, in the south eastern corner of Alexandra Park, 45 metres from the edge of the Park and abutting Newland Road.  Mr Ely was joined by Beverley Huie (LB Haringey Interim Neighbourhood Manager Crouch End Hornsey & Stroud Green) and Martin Hall (LB Haringey - Recreation Service - Open Space Performance & Programming Officer) to answer questions raised by the Committee.

The adiZones were multi-sports facilities, with 15-20 year life-spans, created in the shape of the Olympic logo by Adidas as part of its sponsorship of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympics Games.  Schools would be encouraged to use the equipment as would play-schemes during school holidays but other adiZone schemes showed that older people made full, and regular, use of the equipment.

The Council would be required to sign a maintenance contract with Adidas, and Alexandra Palace would require the area to be maintained under licence including daily, weekly, quarterly and yearly checks.  There would be no cost to the Palace.  The £150k cost of the equipment would be split between the Government (in partnership with Adidas) and the Council through a Section 106 Agreement by funding secured during development of the New River Village. 

Committee members questioned whether there would be scope to secure a better deal on funding given the amount of advertising Adidas would receive.

In response to their concerns about the cost of maintaining the structure Committee members were informed that maintenance for the first year was free and would cost £2700 per year subsequently.  The Committee wanted a guarantee that the resources would be made available to maintain the equipment for 15-20 years and that the costs would not fall to the Palace. 

Councillor Whyte expressed concerns from Hornsey Ward constituents as to how the site would be supervised. The site was hidden away and access was not from a main road. Mr Hall explained that the site was already heavily policed.  It was not anticipated that anti-social behaviour would increase as a result of the adiZone being installed.

Committee members were strongly of the view that consultation should take place with the local police as well as the residents in Newland Road and in the immediate adjoining locality. A consultation should be meeting should be held at Campsbourne School. Mr Hall and Ms Huie explained that, whilst informal consultation had already occurred, by means of conversations with local residents, local residents would also be formally consulted as part of the planning application process.

Other concerns raised by Committee Members concerned the nature of the structure as providing advertising in a metropolitan open area and that the shape and size of the structure would detract from what was a conservation area.

In response to concerns raised about vandalism of the equipment, officers explained that the equipment had already been installed in 5  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28.

To receive a report from the Park Manager, Alexandra Palace, detailing the planning application for an extension to the secondary deer enclosure.

The Committee received the report of Mark Evison, Park Manager, informing of the planning application for the extension to the secondary deer enclosure.  Mr Evison stated that the Chief Financial Officer had noted the report with no additional comments and invited the Committee’s comments.

Caroline Hayter (Alexandra Residents Association) expressed concern that the extension would take space away from public use.  In response Mr Evison stated that the small extension, fitted into the area and would benefit the wellbeing of the deer.  This particular area was not in active use by the public.  Mr Aspden commented that he had taken part in the site-visit, to which all interested groups had been, invited and advised his support of the proposal. The area of the proposed extension was small and currently inaccessible.

The Committee was given assurance that the mature oak trees in the proposed extension would not be damaged.

RESOLVED

That the Board be asked to note that the majority of the Committee supported the proposal for the extension of the secondary deer enclosure (with the exception of Ms Hayter).

Tuesday 9^th February 2010

Tuesday 30^th March 2010

Tuesday 9^th February 2010

Tuesday 30^th March 2010

Resolutions of the Advisory Committee held on 10^th February 2009

Mr Aspden highlighted that the Board had not responded to the resolutions of the Advisory Committee at its meeting on 10^th February 2009. 

RESOLVED

That the Board be asked to respond to the resolutions of the Advisory Committee at its meeting on 10^th February 2009.