Agenda and draft minutes

Please note that this meeting may be filmed or recorded by the Council for live or subsequent broadcast via the Council’s internet site or by anyone attending the meeting using any communication method. Although we ask members of the public recording, filming or reporting on the meeting not to include the public seating areas, members of the public attending the meeting should be aware that we cannot guarantee that they will not be filmed or recorded by others attending the meeting. Members of the public participating in the meeting (e.g. making deputations, asking questions, making oral protests) should be aware that they are likely to be filmed, recorded or reported on.  By entering the meeting room and using the public seating area, you are consenting to being filmed and to the possible use of those images and sound recordings.

The chair of the meeting has the discretion to terminate or suspend filming or recording, if in his or her opinion continuation of the filming, recording or reporting would disrupt or prejudice the proceedings, infringe the rights of any individual or may lead to the breach of a legal obligation by the Council.

The Chair referred to the notice of the filming at meetings and this information was noted

Apologies of absence were received by Councillor Nick Da Costa.

There were none.

There were none.

The Chair will consider the admission of any late items of urgent business. (Late items will be considered under the agenda item where they appear. New items will be dealt with at items 12 & 19 below)

There were none.

To confirm the minutes of the Alexandra Palace and Park Board held on 14^th July 2025 as an accurate record of the proceedings

The minutes from the previous meeting were approved as a correct record.

The verbal update was noted by the Committee.

The report informed Trustees of the progress achieved during the 2025/26 financial year and reflected the Trust’s Vision to “Create a Sustainable Home for All That We Do.” The initiatives highlighted under each Goal were chosen based on developments since the previous Board report, with the Vision and Goals detailed in Appendix 1.

Under the Goal to “Provide Great Entertainment and Culture for All,” efforts had been made to ensure programmes remained accessible and inclusive. The Trust had worked to better understand the needs of current and future audiences, aiming to align its cultural and entertainment offerings with contemporary tastes and innovations. Opportunities were also created for artists to present their work and engage with broader, more diverse audiences.

RESOLVED:

The Committee noted the report.

The Committee noted the FRACC Chairs verbal update.

During the 2025/26 period, Alexandra Park and Palace Charitable Trust faced considerable challenges common to charities in the cultural, heritage, and hospitality sectors. These included economic instability, rising operational costs, and labour market pressures, all of which made it difficult to maintain a balanced budget while aiming to increase Gift Aid contributions from its trading arm.

The Trust remained vulnerable to external shocks such as geopolitical conflicts affecting utilities and supply chains, and the direct impact of climate change. Adverse weather conditions placed significant strain on the estate, resulting in event cancellations, reduced visitor numbers, shorter dwell times, and lower spending.

Competition intensified across all subsidiaries—Food & Beverage, Events, Theatre, and the Ice Rink—while shifting expectations around sustainability and digital engagement demanded further investment in innovation.

To respond effectively, the Trust relied on disciplined strategic planning, digital transformation, and robust fundraising policies, all guided by its Vision, Goals, and Operational Business Plan.

In preparing annual budgets, the Trust followed its established strategic framework. Its Vision aimed to create “A Sustainable Home For All That We Do,” offering inspirational culture, world-class entertainment, heritage experiences, creative learning, and restorative green spaces. The Mission, rooted in the 1985 Act of Parliament, was “To Repair, Maintain, Restore for the enjoyment of the public,” while its Purpose was “To Enrich lives, through great experiences, forever.”

The Trust pursued ten ambitious goals, including building climate resilience, safeguarding green spaces, protecting heritage assets, restoring derelict areas, strengthening organisational resilience, forming new partnerships, engaging communities, creating a great workplace, delivering inclusive entertainment and culture, and innovatively preserving and sharing its archives.

Its values—Collaborative, Passionate & Fun, Resourceful, Bold, Open & Genuine—underpinned all strategic efforts.

-       Officers stated Niki Cornwell will be employed till the end of the calendar year.

RESOLVED:

The Committee noted the forecast against Budget 25/26.

The year-end reports and audit findings were presented to both the FRRAC and APTL Board during their September meetings. The FRRAC Chair shared feedback via a verbal update, recommending that the APTL and Trustee Board Chairs sign the letters of representation after reviewing the Financial Statements. Due to the closeness of the meetings, the APTL Chair’s report will be delivered verbally under the exempt section of this meeting.

-       There were no comments made by the trustees.

RESOLVED:

1.1 Approved the Draft Annual Report and Financial Statements

1.2 In case of any further minor amendments, delegated powers for a final approval and signing off the Annual Report and Financial Statements to the Chief Executive and Chairs of the Trustee and APTL Boards.

1.3 Delegated powers for the Chair of the Trustees to sign the Letters of Representation

There were none.

Items 14-19 are likely to be subject of a motion to exclude the press and public from the meeting as they contain exempt information as defined in Section 100a of the Local Government Act 1972; Para 1 – information relating to any individual, Para 2 – Information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual,  Para 3 - information relating to the business or financial affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information), and Para 5 – Information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings.

Items 14-19 were subject of a motion to exclude the press and public from the meeting as they contain exempt information as defined in Section 100a of the Local Government Act 1972; Para 1 – information relating to any individual, Para 2 – Information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual, Para 3 - information relating to the business or financial affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information), and Para 5 – Information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings

To confirm the exempt minutes of the Alexandra Palace and Park Board held on 14^th July 2025 as an accurate record of the proceedings

The Committee considered the exempt minutes.

The Committee considered the exempt information.

The Committee considered the exempt information.

The Committee considered the exempt information.

The Committee considered the exempt information.

There were none.