Issue - meetings

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

Received the Park Activities Update as set out in the agenda papers, introduced by Mark Evison – Park Manager, Alexandra Palace.

NOTED

Improvements to Cricket Grounds

·        Heartlands School had withdrawn from the scheme as due to delays with the scheme, they had since found an alternative solution.

·        The Council would still be investing in the scheme, with sports development funding and topped up by s106 funding.

·        The planning application was due to be determined imminently, with a mobilisation meeting due to be held in the coming week to discuss the project plan.

Funding for the south-eastern corner of the Park

·        The Council had allocated £220k of s106 funding to improve the access around the Campsbourne and New River Village areas.  Proposals would be presented to the Alexandra Palace and Park Board (APPB) meeting on 6 November 2012.

·        A member of the Committee suggested that this could be a useful opportunity to involve local schools, possibly with planting.  

Park entrances – overnight gate closures

·        It was agreed at the APPB meeting on 24 July 2012 that a one-year trial period of gate closure at the Park Avenue North Gate and Muswell Hill pedestrian entrance would begin, subject to advice from the Advisory and Consultative Committees.

·        The Committee were in support of the trial, but raised the following points:

-          gates would not stop those who were determined to get into the park

-          visitors to late night concerts at the park were an issue – there needed to be clear signage that these gates would be closed

·        Duncan Wilson responded to the issues raised and explained that the gates would act as a deterrent rather than a prevention.  He added that there were no concerts due to finish beyond 11pm in November, but that he would ensure that clear signs would displayed on the park notice boards with details of the closures.

The Actual Workshop – Little Dinosaurs

·        The tenant at the Actual Workshop had made a request to adjust a short section of the exterior to expand the internal ‘baby area’.  This proposal would be presented for approval at the APPB meeting on 6 November 2012.

·        Mark Evison agreed to double-check whether planning permission was required for the proposal.

RESOLVED

i)          To note the imminent commencement of the works at the cricket ground.

ii)         To support the proposals for improvement to the south-eastern corner of the Park.

iii)        To note the proposal for overnight gate closures.

iv)        To note the proposal to adjust a short section of the exterior wall of the Actual Workshop building.