Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Facilities Manager, Alexandra Palace and Park Charitable Trust on the external fabric condition of Alexandra Palace.

RECEIVED the report on the External Fabric Condition of Alexandra Palace, introduced by the Chief Executive, Alexandra Palace, as laid out in pages 29 – 43 of the agenda pack.

• Proposals to install netting to the South Terrace of the building where further falls of masonry had taken place (paragraph 6.5) were no longer going ahead as more permanent repairs were being considered.  A planning proposals for listed building consent was being progressed which included consent for the temporary netting to south terrace, temporary chain link fencing by the theatre foyer, temporary roof coverings by ice rink foyer entrance and temporary canopy tunnels adjacent to fire exits in the vicinity of theatre foyer.  The part of the application relating to the netting was likely to be withdrawn.  

• A Conservation Architect and a fixed term contractor would be recruited in addition to one or two craftsman who would be on site permanently for the purpose of conducting repairs.   The Alexandra Palace Conservation Area Advisory Committee had raised objections to aspects of the planning proposals and suggested the proposals were not implemented until a Conservation Architect had been recruited and could advise on the proposals.

• Statutory Advisory Committee members highlighted that the Committee should be consulted on all planning proposals relating to the Park and Palace.

• In response to questions the Chief Executive explained that the repairs work would impact the views and entrance of the Palace, for example scaffolding erected in the South Terrace area in early 2012 but this would not create any access issues during the Olympic Games period.

• It was reported that Friends of the Alexandra Palace Theatre had offered to meet half of the costs of providing heating in the Theatre Foyer area and the Facilities Manager was organising this.

• In response to concerns raised the Chief Executive stated that discussions were being held with English Heritage about the Trust’s funding bid and if agreed repairs to stop the roof leaking would be a priority.

The Chair summarised that the Committees were encouraged to hear about the longer term strategy for the maintenance and repairs to the Palace building and the report was NOTED.