Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Bob Hare and James Stewart and James Smith (CUFOS (observer)).  An apology for lateness was received from Rebecca Kane, Managing Director Alexandra Palace Trading Company (APTL).

The Chair invited attendees to introduce themselves.

To note the membership of Capital Gardens Ltd, Alexandra Palace Garden Centre, represented by Stuart Hopking.

The Committee noted the membership of Stuart Hopkins, Capital Gardens Ltd to the Consultative Committee.

The Chair reminded the Committee that Alexandra Palace and Park leaseholders were entitled to be represented on the Consultative Committee.

Members of the Committee are invited to disclose any interest they may have in any of the items appearing on this agenda.

Stuart Hopkins declared a personal and prejudicial interest in agenda item 7, Planning Proposal by Capital Gardens Ltd, as he was the Capital Garden’s Ltd leaseholder and a member of the Consultative Committee.  He remained to answer the Committee’s questions and left the room during deliberations.

Councillor Scott declared a prejudicial interest in Agenda Item 10 – Update on the provision of a track betting licence for theLadbrokes World Darts Championships at Alexandra Palace, as he was a member of Haringey’s Licensing Committee; he left the room during consideration of this item.

i)    To approve the draft minutes of the meeting of the Consultative Committee held on 22^nd June 2010 (attached).

ii)   To note the minutes of the Advisory Committee meeting held on 8^th June 2010 (attached).

iii)  To note the draft minutes of the meeting of the Alexandra Palace and Park Board held on 7^th June and 29^th June 2010 (attached).

i)    Consultative Committee – 22^nd June 2010

APCC06 (page 4 of Agenda Pack)

“uk” would be removed from the reference to the Friends of Alexandra Park website www.friendsofalexandrapark.org .

APCC07

The last sentence in the third paragraph would be amended to read:

“One member expressed the need for flexibility and sensitivity to users of the Park and the Little Dinosaurs facility but the general consensus of the Committee was in support of enforcement action.”

RESOLVED that subject to the amendments above the minutes of the meeting of the Consultative Committee held on 22^nd June 2010 we agreed.

ii)   Advisory Committee meeting - 8^th June 2010

RESOLVED to note the minutes of the Advisory Committee meeting held on 8^th June 2010.

iii)  Alexandra Palace and Park Board - 7^th June & 29^th June 2010

29^th June minutes:

Jacob O’Callaghan (Hornsey Historical Society) expressed disappointment that the terms of reference of the Master Planning Working Group mentioned in APB27 (resolution v.) had not been subject to any consultation with the Committee.

RESOLVED to note the draft minutes of the meeting of the Alexandra Palace and Park Board held on 7^th June and 29^th June 2010.

To receive presentations by the following interested groups on the Committee:

i.          Muswell Hill and Fortis Green Association – Ms D. Feeney

ii.         Friends of Alexandra Palace Theatre – Mr N. Willmott

i.          Muswell Hill and Fortis Green Association (MHFGA)

The Committee received the presentation from Denise Feeney, member of and webmaster for the MHFGA Residents’ Association. The Association met 6 times each year and produced regular newsletters for its members including events at the Alexandra Palace and Park, local news and comments and planning matters.

The Association’s new website was:  www.mhfga.1to1.org

In response to a Committee Member’s question about late night concerts being held at the Palace, Ms Feeney stated that in the past there had been isolated incidents where Association members have complained that the events were too noisy, however, more recently events have been well managed.

ii.         Friends of Alexandra Palace Theatre

The Committee received the presentation from Nigel Willmott of Friends of Alexandra Park Theatre and noted the challenge of restoring the theatre to regular use.  The Friends of the Theatre group was waiting to meet with English Heritage to discuss the future of the theatre.

In response to questioning it was noted that future use of the theatre could be mixed. English Heritage contacts were keen to restore the stage and scenery and use the space as a theatre and the auditorium had been used by the Trading Company for a number of events and could be further utilised for educational and community activities.  It was recognised that with improved technology there were many possibilities for the use of the theatre.

In response to a Member’s questioning, the General Manager – Alexandra Palace explained that whilst there was no formal process for interested groups to feed into the development of the Palace, he planned to meet with individual groups to ascertain their objectives for the Palace in order to feed into the Regeneration Working Group.  It was noted that a Member of the Alexandra Palace and Park Board of Trustees was also a Member of the Friends group and so there was a formal link to the Board.

The Chair thanked Ms Feeney and Mr Willmott for their presentations.

To consider the proposals for the Garden Centre submitted by the tenant, Capital Gardens Ltd.

Stuart Hopkins declared a personal and prejudicial interest as he was the Capital Garden’s Ltd leaseholder and a member of the Consultative Committee.  He remained to answer the Committee’s questions and left the room during deliberations.

The Committee received the report on proposals for developments to the Garden Centre Ltd (and tabled photographsand two architects drawings, which were to scale and showed the boundaries and dimensions) including converting old sheds into a retail area and constructing a pergola to shelter bedding plants.  It was noted that previous plans to remove the existing Alder tree would no longer go ahead and the tree would remain.

The Committee expressed concerns that the development did not grow in boundary and height at later stages of the planning application and that the information presented was vague.

The Chair suggested that members of the Consultative Committee emailed further comments on the proposals directly to the Park Manager and the General Manager reminded members that comments could also be made during the public consultation which takes place as part of the planning application process.

RESOLVED

i.          That the report be noted and the proposals supported in principle.

ii.         That the Committee’s concerns about the height, materials used, colour and character of the development be considered when the final application was submitted for planning permission.

iii.        That the Alexandra Palace and Park Board be asked to note the comments of the Consultative Committee.

Clerk’s note: Stuart Hopkins returned to the meeting room.

To consider the proposals for declaration of a local nature reserve.

The Committee received the report consulting on the initial proposal for Alexandra Park to be declared as a Local Nature Reserve (LNR).  Committee members raised concerns as to whether LNR status would affect events held in the Park and noted that it was not necessary to declare the entire Park as a LNR. 

In response to its questions about the implications of the proposals the Committee noted that the Park already met the criteria for LNR status which required demonstrating a commitment about how the Park will be managed and conserved (contained in the Park’s management plan).   Benefits of the proposals could be access to additional funding from national bodies.

The Committee noted the Park Manager’s comments including that as the Park had already reached a similar level of management to what was required there would not be a great difference if LNR status was achieved.  The Park, however, would be better protected under Unitary Development Policy (policies used to make decisions on planning and other applications).

Some Committee members stated that LNR status may make the Park a more attractive visitor attraction and many activities in the Park already supported the potential LNR status.

RESOLVED

i.          That the proposals to designate sections of Alexandra Park as a Local Nature Reserve (LNR) be supported.

ii.         That the Alexandra Palace and Park Board be asked to note the comments of the Consultative Committee particularly in relation to inappropriate designation of LNR status for the entire park, which could affect events being held in the Park.

To consider the byelaws for Alexandra Park and Palace.

The Committee received the report of the Park Manager recommending that the Alexandra Park and Palace byelaws be reviewed.

Two Committee Members suggested that with current important projects taking place within the Park and Palace (such as the governance review) this was not the right time for a review of byelaws.  The General Manager highlighted that the process of reviewing the byelaws was not time consuming itself but the process of adopting them (and getting Secretary of State approval) may take some years to complete. The Committee noted issues such as bar-b-qs and filming and photography were prohibited under current byelaws and that the Park and Palace security contractors were tasked with enforcing the byelaws, therefore the review was relevant.

Other members of the Committee supported the review of the byelaws and the Chair suggested that further comments by Committee Members be emailed to the Park Manager.

RESOLVED that the report be noted and the Alexandra Palace and Park Board be asked to note the comments of the Consultative Committee.

To note the variation of the provision of a track betting licence for the Ladbrokes World Darts Championships at Alexandra Palace.

Councillor Scott declared a prejudicial interest in this item as he was a member of Haringey’s Licensing Committee; he left the room during consideration of this item.

The Committee received the report updating on the intention of Alexandra Palace Trading Limited (APTL) to move the existing track betting licence from the Panorama Room to the Great Hall for the World Darts Championships between 16^th December 2010 and 3^rd January 2011.

In response to Committee members’ comments officers explained that there were measures in place to deal with any maintenance issues in the Great Hall ceiling; the West Hall would still be used for the actual matches ;  beer supplies usually stored in the Panorama Room would be kept in the Great Hall vicinity under the new proposal which keeps the area outside the Phoenix bar clear.

Two Committee Members highlighted the controversial nature of the charity obtaining the original betting licence as well as concerns that part of the Palace would be closed to visitors over the Christmas period. Officers confirmed that similar restrictions to accessing the betting area would remain in force as in previous years.

Colin Marr (Alexandra Palace and Park Conservation Area Advisory Committee) commented that although having the World Darts Championship at the Palace was good news and recognised the need to publicise the event itself, but suggested that Ladbrokes be asked to tone down their own banners and corporate advertising that in the past had been too prominent around the Palace over the Christmas period.

RESOLVED that the report be noted and the comments of the Consultative Committee (above) be noted by the Alexandra Palace and Park Board.

Clerk’s note: Councillor Scott returned to the meeting.

To receive the report of the Managing Director, Alexandra Palace Trading Limited (APTL) advising the Consultative Committee on forthcoming events to the end of the financial year.

The Committee received the Forthcoming Events report, introduced by Rebecca Kane, Managing Director – APTL, who highlighted that the “Secret Cinema” event had been very successful and that 4 concerts had been confirmed for the forthcoming year.  Most of the events had been confirmed and other future events including weddings were also booked.

The Committee was informed that the YMCA would be erecting a small temporary marquee in Redston Field for the Y-Toddle Event  on 26^th September 2010.

RESOLVED that the Forthcoming Events report be noted.

To receive a verbal update on the progress made on the review of governance of Alexandra Palace.

The Managing Director of APTL provided a verbal update on the reports presented to the Board of Trustees (on 6^th September) on the Alexandra Palace and Park Governance and Future Vision, including:

• That, to strive for eventual financial independence, the focus of the Palace in the short term should be on fund raising (APPCT), regeneration (Working Group) and improving commercial income (APTL).
• The Board agreed to adopt the ‘interim model’ and work towards the ultimate model of independence.  This would include the recruitment of independent advisors to the Board, which would require approval by Haringey’s Full Council.
• The Regeneration Working Group, to consider the master plan for Alexandra Palace and Park, would meet in October and a process would be put in place to maintain a dialogue with Stakeholders.  It was noted that if members did not get the opportunity to feed into the Stakeholders Focus Group held in August 2010 their views could still be submitted to the General Manager - Alexandra Palace.

RESOLVED that the update be noted.

To discuss the possibility of having a joint meeting of the Statutory Advisory Committee and the Consultative Committee.

The Committee was invited to consider a joint meeting with the Statutory Advisory Committee to discuss how both committees would work in the future.

The Chair reported that Alexandra Park and Palace Advisory Committee had agreed to conduct a review into the effectiveness of its own role and would then consider how it should link in with the Consultative Committee.   It was noted that the Advisory Committee was a statutory committee and would require an act of parliament in order to amend its remit.

Committee Members highlighted: that membership of the Statutory Advisory Committee could be widened by the application of a Charity Commission scheme; that, whilst it was recognised that the duplication of committee meetings was inefficient, there would still be a requirement to divide the considerations of the Advisory Committee and the Consultative Committee if they were to join in future.

It was suggested that the Consultative Committee wait until the Advisory Committee had conducted the review of its own role; Consultative Committee members would welcome the opportunity to informally feed into this review. Once feedback from the Advisory Committee review is available either a joint meeting could be held to consider the matter further of the Consultative Committee can discuss it independently at a future meeting.  Meanwhile it should be noted that the Consultative Committee would not attempt to impose on the role of the Statutory Advisory Committee.  It was recognised that a joint meeting would be quite large.

RESOLVED that the Consultative Committee consider the issue further once feedback from the Statutory Advisory Committee on the review of its remit was received.

To consider a proposal from local resident, Clive Carter, for the Alexandra Park & Palace Trust Board to apply for UNESCO World Heritage Site recognition.

The Committee received proposals (pages 73 – 76 of the agenda pack), presented by Mr Clive Carter, Local resident, for the Alexandra Palace and Park Board to apply for UNESCO World Heritage Site recognition.

The Chair and other members thanked Mr Carter for the time he had spent on drafting the proposals. 

Concerns were raised about the amount of officer time that would need to be dedicated to such a project. 

The General Manager – Alexandra Palace advised that the application would take years of officer dedicated time (assuming the building was in a good state of repair) and could even be refused, which might impact the Palace’s reputation. 

The Managing Director – Alexandra Palace Trading Limited (APTL) reported that another known site had spent 20 years applying for UNESCO World Heritage Site recognition, which had been deferred for the second time despite its buildings being in a better state of repair than Alexandra Palace.  She stated that whilst the Palace was worthy of such status there was no proof that it would generate additional funding or visitors to the Palace and Park and there might be more efficient ways to bring the Palace worldwide recognition.

Committee members suggested the establishment of a Heritage Working Group.  The General Manager of Alexandra Palace emphasised that this would require servicing by officers and such resources were not available due to other priorities such as repairs to the Palace buildings.

Mr Carter was encouraged to build support for the proposal for the Alexandra Park and Palace Trust Board to apply for UNESCO World Heritage Site recognition.

 RESOLVED that, whilst there were differences in views on this item, the Board should consider the item after it had been to the Statutory Advisory Committee.  

None.

Future meetings of the Consultative Committee will be held on:

Tuesday 9^th November 2010

Tuesday 8^th February 2011

Tuesday 12^th April 2011

The dates for future meetings were noted:

Tuesday 8^th February 2011

Tuesday 12^th April 2011