Issue - meetings

Report of the General Manager, Alexandra Palace – To advise the Committee on forthcoming events to the end of the financial year 2008/09.

The Chair asked for a brief introduction of the report.

The Managing Director of Alexandra Palace Trading Limited (APTL) – Ms Kane gave a brief and succinct introduction to the report and highlighted the confirmed and provisional bookings at the Palace for the remainder of 2008/09 and also to 2010., and answered a number of points of clarification in respect of the various events as detailed,.

Mr Braybrook assisted Ms Kane in respect of responses.

The Committee then briefly discussed the current economic climate and its effects on the overall confirmed and provisional bookings and the levels of drop out, and Ms Kane responded in terms of the number of bookings that were definite. It was the case that there was a 10-15% reduction in venue bookings but APTL was not only driven by this aspect.  It was necessary to look at cost effectiveness and value for money, and also the opportunity of picking up bookings where an event had been booked at another venue i.e. EXCEL or NEC, and as a result of costs was now looking at alternative venues. Ms Kane also highlighted to the Committee those events where there was considerable effort on the part of the event organiser in terms of the staging and appearance of the event and the use of materials to improve the overall internal appearance.

In response to clarification from Councillor Oatway in terms of the Darts Championship and the space allocated for gambling Ms Kane advised that this area had been clearly marked and separated from the main event although in the same area, and had the clear appearance of a betting type facility. Mr Braybrook confirmed that no child under 11 was permitted to enter and any minor between the ages of 11 and 16 had to accompanied by an adult.

The Chair then summarised and it was:

RESOLVED

That the contents of the report be noted.