Issue - meetings

To note the report of the Interim Regeneration Director, Tot Brill, updating on regeneration, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) project and fundraising.

RECEIVED the Regeneration Report, including the HLF (Heritage Lottery Fund) update.  The report was introduced by Tot Brill, Interim Regeneration Director, Alexandra Palace, as laid out on pages 27-30 of the agenda pack.

NOTED, following discussion of the report, that:

a.         further to a request Tot Brill clarified the process of appointing a contractor through the North London-wide Framework Contract, whereby contractors (most of whom would be well-known for previous, similar projects) had already been through the necessary formalities;

b.         in response to questions: it was expected that the same contractor would conduct both phases of the restoration works (the enabling and the main works) and a number of specialist sub-contractors were likely to be used;

c.         as part of the HLF bid contractors would be required to employ some local people and set up apprenticeships;

d.         paragraph 9.1 (page 29) should read £1.4 as a target for fundraising (rather than £1.1m).  The organisations which sat on the SAC and CC would be contacted separately to support the fundraising;

e.         experienced curators would ensure artefacts found during clearing of the theatre and BBC areas were preserved. Bruce Castle archivists would support the archiving process and the Palace had appointed a new staff member with archiving experience;

Clerk’s note: At this point in the meeting John Thompson, Alexandra Palace Television Group, declared a pecuniary interest in item 8e above, as he would be advising Alexandra Palace for a short term on any historical items found the clear out of the television studios prior to the regeneration works. There was no further discussion on the matter and it had not been necessary for Mr Thompson to withdraw from the meeting.

f.          further to additional questions:

·         Asbestos surveys were being conducted in advance of both the enabling works and the main construction contracts.

·         Plans still included the possibility of a hotel at Alexandra Palace and previous research would be used to inform the decision making process.

 RESOLVED to note report.