Agenda and draft minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Beacham due to attendance at a Licensing Committee.

Nil

There was no urgent business.

(a)   To receive and approve the applications for membership of the Committee for the 2006/07 Municipal Year, from the organisations listed above.

(b)   To appoint three representatives of the Committee to serve as non-voting Members of the Alexandra Palace and Park Board.

(c)   To note the Committee’s Constitution (Attached).

a.            MEMBERSHIP OF THE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE FOR 2006-2007

                             RESOLVED

1.     That the following applications for membership of the Committee for the 2006/7 municipal year be approved –

b.         That Ms V. Paley, Mr M. Tarpey and Mr N. Willmott be appointed as non-voting Members of the Alexandra Palace and Park Board for the municipal year 2006/7.

c.         That the Constitution of the Committee be noted.

To note the Committee’s Terms of Reference approved by the Council on 22 May 2006 as follows:-            

(a)               To give representatives of appropriate local and national organisations the opportunity of full discussion with Members of the Alexandra Palace and Park Board on general matters affecting Alexandra Palace and Park.

(b)                To give Members of the Alexandra Palace and Park Board the opportunity of discussing and explaining to the organisations matters affecting the overall policy and efficient management of Alexandra Palace and Park.

(c)                 To promote better understanding between Members of the Alexandra Palace and Park Board, the Palace Management and local organisations.

(d)                 To enable appropriate local (and national) organisations to be fully consulted on decisions of direct concern to them.

(e)                To promote the best interests of the Alexandra Palace and Park as a conservation area.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

(a)               To confirm and sign the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 4 April 2006.

(b)               To note the Minutes of the meetings of the Alexandra Palace and Park Board held on 27 March, and 11 April 2006.

RESOLVED:

1.       That the minutes of the meeting of the Alexandra Palace and Park Consultative Committee held on 4 April 2006 be confirmed and signed as a correct record; and

2.       That the minutes of the meetings of the Alexandra Palace and Park Board held on 27 March 2006 (Special), and 11 April 2006 be noted.

MATTERS ARISING:

Ms Hayter sought clarification as to whether the CUFOS building was included in the development footprint. The Chair responded this matter could be raised within either under Item 7 or Item 10.

The Chair asked for a brief introduction.

Mr Holder briefly outlined that the charity’s professional team had been engaged in further negotiation with that of Firoka’s over a number of weeks since the Board had considered and agreed those Heads of Terms as the basis of the detailed lease on 27 March 2006.

Mr Holder also advised that in respect of the land to be leased to Firoka and compliance with the sec.36 (6) of the Charities Act 1993, this compliance was under way with the results of such representations being reported to the Board on 4 July 2006.  Mr Holder reiterated his previous comments that the purpose of such Notice was to ensure that as many people as possible in the beneficial area of the charity knew of the Trustees plans and had a chance to comment. In response to questions Mr Holder commented that extremely wide publicity had already been given to the Trustees intentions and the plans had been subject to public exhibition and public discussion within both this Statutory, and the Consultative Committee.  The approved notice had been exhibited in and around the Palace and Park for  28 days from 28^th March 2006.  The comments received had been analysed by the General Manager and would be reported back to the Board for further consideration on 4 July 2006.

Ms Hayter sought clarification in terms of the proposed Heads of Terms and the draft lease and how this affected CUFOS building, as no one seemed to know the outcome.

Mr Holder responded that specifically on the issue of CUFOS the footprint did indeed include CUFOS.  There had been specific representations made in relation to CUFOS which would be submitted to the Board for consideration together other representations.

In response to points of clarification in terms of the timing of signing of the lease originally proposed as 1^st May 2006, Mr Holder advised that this was the date originally proposed by Firoka although this had been in the January 2006 submission document.  It was the case that all parties concerned were realistic that the actual completion date would need to be revised at some point as negotiations had been on-going and whilst not overly protracted certain negotiations had been particularly detailed.  

Mr Thompson commented that in his view the Board was not going to be given the opportunity to analyse the full raw data submitted in terms of the representations submitted in petition form under the Section 36(6) notice and advertisement.  In response Mr Holder advised that all representations would be submitted to the Board on 4 July 2006 and in the case of the petition with 1593 signatures – as each page said the same sentiments and some pages had one signature only a sample of the petition was to be submitted.  Councillor Hare asked that he be furnished with a copy of the full petition prior to the meeting on 4 July 2006.

The Chair, in response to the comments  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46.

The Committee received a succinct update on the project from the Parks Development Manager – Mr Baker.

The Chair asked if there were any comments and questions in relation to its contents.

Ms Feeney referred to the concerns expressed at the recent statutory Advisory Committee in respect of pedestrian safety in the park, as well as the recent road narrowing scheme and access for persons in wheelchairs/ people with hearing difficulties and the pedestrian access at  Bedford Road.  Ms Feeney also sought clarification as to siting of the bus stops near to the garden centre and the fact that cars did not seem to stop at this crossing point, and the health and safety risks arising therefrom.

In response Mr Baker advised that the speed table located at Bedford Road was designed to stem traffic a safe distance from the crossing point. The crossing was raised and cobbled and the road would have anti skid surfaces.  In response comments in respect of inadequate signage Mr Baker advised that signs would be clear and visible to motor vehicles etc of the crossing.

Mr Hutchinson asked that it would be useful for the Committee to receive an overall update now that the project was nearing completion, of the exact work carried out, together with a clear picture of how the Park would be managed by the Board after the Palace transferred over to the Firoka Group, and the interaction between the Board and this Committee.  Mr Holder responded that an item would be brought to the next meeting of the Committee on 5 September 2006.

Prof. Hudson referred to the need for improved/upgraded signage within the Park in terms of litter, security, access etc and the need to state clearly ‘do’s’ and ‘don’ts’ for users of the Park.  Mr Baker commented that there were maps that currently listed by-laws, indicated dog fouling bins etc.  Councillor Peacock shared the views expressed in respect of better signage.  She also complimented Mr Baker in respect of the rose garden which was a credit to the park.

Ms Hayter referred to the entrance area to the Grove and that since the recent cutting back dog fouling had seemed to occur with considerable frequency and that this area did need some signage as a result.  There was also some need for dog litter bins to be updated as the existing ones were inadequate.  Mr Baker responded that new waste bins had been on order which would serve their purpose more than adequately.  He would ensure better signage in the area mentioned.

The Chair commented and summarised that it was positive to see that officers were responding to and working with the community to ensure improvements, and that the efforts of Mr Baker and his team should be applauded.

RESOLVED 

i.          that the contents of the report and the comments expressed during discussions be noted;

ii.         that a report be  brought to the meeting of the Consultative Committee on 5 September 2006 detailing an overall update  ...  view the full minutes text for item 47.

The Committee received a TABLED update in respect of forthcoming events.  In response to clarification as to future events Mr Holder outlined the process following the proposed take over of the Firoka Group and that all existing event contracts would transfer over to them.  In terms of employment contracts these would transfer under TUPE arrangements. 

In response to Mr Boshier’s concerns as to the future of the farmer’s market Mr Holder advised that this had been a considerable success and would continue after the transfer. The only question arising here was whether the Farmers Market would continue under the auspices of the charity or whether a different mechanism was needed to ensure compliance with all the regulations applying including the tax regime of the charity.

In response to comments of Councillors Egan and Hare Mr Holder advised that the arrangements for the Firework Display and associated entertainments would continue, as well as the food fair/beer festival and would be managed by the Firoka Group. 

The Chair then summarised and it was:

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

i.            Palace View Residents Association

a.              Late night disturbances at Redston Playing Fields 

b.            Recently reported incidents in and around the Palace grounds and spilling out into Northview  Road.

The General Manager will verbally respond to this issue.

Palace View Residents Association

a.                 Late night disturbances at Redston Playing Fields 

b.              Recently reported incidents in and around the Palace grounds and spilling out into Northview Road.

The Chair asked Ms Paley to give a brief update of in respect of the matters raised by her Association.

Ms Paley referred to the on going situation of disturbances by youths in the area of Redston Road and Northview Road which had started to the previous summer, and had recommenced recently. The noise at times was extremely disturbing and a recent incident had involved theft and robbery, and people having knives on them.  As a result a public meeting the previous week, at which the General Manager had been in attendance, there was agreement with the Police and local residents as to a course of action to be embarked on in terms of enforcement etc.

Mr Holder also advised that both Mr Baker and he had been in attendance at the meeting and discussions had centred on the action that could be taken to curb the nuisance.  Representatives from the Metropolitan Police, and the Parks Police had also been in attendance. As a result it had been agreed that the area would be monitored and the names and addresses of youths would be taken. The use of dispersal orders to clear the area was to be considered.

In noting the concerns expressed by Ms Paley and the action being taken by the Police the Chair asked that an update be given at the next meeting of Committee, and commented that this was a work in progress and a positive commitment to working to ensure that such disturbances were dealt with and overcome.

RESOLVED

That the action to monitor and address the overall problems be noted and that a progress update be given at the next meeting of the Committee.

(i)                 The Palace Footprint

In response to a request for clarification from Ms Hayter on the definition of the’ Footprint’ the General Manager confirmed that for the avoidance of doubt it included CUFOS but not the through road. The Chair also advised that the Board meeting on 4 July would be considering all detailed objections received in respect of the Section 36(6) notice.

(ii)        Mr Ballard sought clarification as regards the Farmer’s Market and the earlier issue raised in the meeting. Mr Hutchinson and Ms Paley also sought clarification in terms of the future of events such as the Fire Work display and funfair. Mr Holder reiterated that the concerns did not flow from the transfer of the Palace to Firoka because these events were held in the Park. It was an issue of regulation and tax regime implications for the charity. A review of the revised rules affecting charities and trading would be necessary.

            5 SEPTEMBER 2006

            7 NOVEMBER 2006

            30 JANUARY 2007

3 APRIL 2007

The Committee noted the dates of the meetings of the Consultative Committee for the remainder of the year 2006/07 as follows:

            5 September 2006,  7 November 2006, 30 January 2007, 3 April 2007

NOTED

Meeting terminated at 20.45HRS