Issue - meetings

To receive the report of the Park Manager, Alexandra Palace, updating the Committee 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 Park.

NOTED

Red Bull BMX Event

·        The recent weather had not helped with the restoration of the grounds, although some re-seeding had now taken place using acid-loving grass species as recommendation by an ecologist.

·        Some Committee members raised concerns over the ‘spoil’ left behind by Red Bull and asked when it would be removed.  Duncan Wilson explained that Red Bull had requested to hold another event in the Park next year.  Although no decision has been made with regards to this, and Red Bull would still have to submit a proposal, it was decided that removing the spoil would incur high costs and cause significant disruption especially if it were to be brought back again should another event take place.  It was anticipated that Alexandra Palace would be in a position to take a decision at the end of the year.

·        A discussion continued and the following was noted:

-          Councillor Hare suggested that the perimeter fence be moved in closer so that the area looked tidier, until a decision was made.-

-          Gordon Hutchinson spoke on behalf of Friends of the Park and stated that although the event was said to be successful, it was felt that the disadvantages outweighed the benefits.  The main disadvantages were noise from the event, noise from the movement of vehicles, damage done to the park, delay in the restoration of the park, and general interference with normal park activities.

-          Some members of the Committee felt that moving the debris to a different area in the park could cause as much disruption as it would to remove it completely.  Other members felt that Red Bull should have removed everything after the event, as they had promised to do, and any further proposals for events would be considered at a later date.

-          The Chair proposed a recommendation to the Board, and it was agreed that the view of the joint committee should be made to the Board – this to request that Red Bull be asked, at their expense, either to clear the site of all the debris, or remove it to some other agreed and safe location within the park.  Further that any proposal  for another similar event next year be considered on its merits at a later date.  The Statutory Advisory Committee would separately consider its’ recommendation.

-          Duncan Wilson said that it would be known by October whether Red Bull wanted a repeat event and a fresh proposal could be considered then and would be open for review by the joint committee.

Improvements to Cricket Grounds – Sam Davison

·        Since the last meeting, site visits had been carried out for members.  A couple of further options had been suggested, but after investigation by the project team, were considered unsuitable.

·        The new proposal was to bury the tank.  Additional funding would be required for this, but assurances had been made that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 79