Issue - meetings

Restoration of the Houses of Parliament/ Palace of Westminster

Colin Marr referred to press coverage earlier this year to do with refurbishment of the Houses of Parliament at Westminster, which might involve decanting all or parts of government to other sites. The budget for this was about £4.5 billion and the timescale between six and eleven years. With under-utilised space at AP and our need for capital investment, it was argued that AP should let it be known that we might want to be considered as a host site.

NOTED, following discussion, that

a.         the currently unused space at the Palace was recognised and the Board was reminded that the Palace had been utilised as a hospitality venue during the 2012 Olympics.

b.         Louise Stewart, Chief Executive, informed the Board that there were preferred options to retain the main activity of Parliament within the hub of Westminster.  However, contact could be re-established to consider how the framework for the decanting of Parliament could fit in with the long term vision and current operation of the Palace.

c.         in response to questioning: there would be no implications if enquiries to Parliament were made but location would be a main consideration and better options were available in Westminster.

RESOLVED that the Chief Executive, Alexandra Park Charitable Trust, conduct informal investigations into the potential use of the Palace for Parliamentary activities during restoration of the Houses of Parliament, and report back to the Board at a future meeting.

 ACTION: CHIEF EXECUTIVE