Agenda and minutes

Venue: The Londesborough Room, Alexandra Palace Way, Wood Green, London N22. View directions

Contact: Natalie Cole 

Items
No. Item

22.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor C. Harris and Councillor Thompson, Caroline Hayter (Alexandra Residents’ Association), Val Paley (Palace View Residents’ Association) and Rachel Macdonald (New River Action Group).

23.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

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

Minutes:

Councillors Peacock and Hare declared prejudicial interests in relation to item 6 (APC27) AdiZone Outdoor Gym Proposals as they were members of the Planning Committee.

24.

MINUTES pdf icon PDF 81 KB

i.          To approve the draft minutes of the meeting of the Consultative Committee held on 8th September 2009 (attached) to be noted.

 

ii.         To note the minutes of the Advisory Committee held on 1st September 2009 (attached).

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

i.          Minutes of the Consultative Committee

 

RESOLVED

 

That the draft minutes of the meeting of the Consultative Committee held on 8th September 2009 be agreed subject to the correction of the spelling of Councillor Thompson’s name at Minute No. APCC14.

 

ii.         Minutes of the Advisory Committee

 

RESOLVED

 

That the minutes of the Advisory Committee held on 1st September 2009 be noted.

 

iii.        Minutes of the Board

 

The minutes of the Board meetings held on 6th October and 15th October 2009 were tabled.

 

RESOLVED

 

That the minutes of the Board meetings held on 6th October and 15th October 2009 be noted.

25.

PRESENTATIONS BY INTERESTED GROUPS pdf icon PDF 58 KB

i.          Alexandra Palace Organ Appeal – Roger Tucker (attached)

 

ii.         Alexandra Palace Amateur Ice Skating Club – Mike Tarpey (tabled)

Minutes:

i.          Presentation by Roger Tucker, Alexandra Palace Organ Appeal

 

The Committee received the presentation on the Alexandra Palace Organ Appeal, introduced by Mr Tucker.  In response to questions about how the organ had been vandalised during the First World War, Mr Tucker explained that the Palace had been used for the demobilisation of soldiers and during this time soldiers had taken pipes from the organ and thrown them from a moving train to celebrate ending their time fighting in the war.  The organ was not played again until 1929 and was later dismantled during the Second World War when the window of the Great Hall was blown-out. 

 

In response to further questions from the Committee Mr Tucker explained that components of the organ were stored by a company called Willis in Liverpool although some were damaged and would have to be re-made.  The Organ Appeal raised funds for repairs which were organised through a contract between the organ builder and Alexandra Palace.

 

Mr Tucker referred members to the “Finest Concert organ in Europe” booklet available from the Organ Appeal.

 

Basic membership to the Alexandra Palace Organ Appeal was £15.

 

RESOLVED

 

That the presentation be noted.

 

ii.         Presentation by Mike Tarpey, Alexandra Palace Amateur Ice Skating Club

 

Mr Tarpey tabled a presentation on the Alexandra Palace Amateur Ice Skating Club, which promoted the sporting and social aspects of ice-skating and was affiliated to the National Ice Skating Association (NISA).  The Club consisted of approximately 1000 members and organisers arranged and managed NISA exams for ice skaters all over the U.K.   Mr Tarpey highlighted the lack of investment in ice skating in the country.  Despite this a number of young skaters from the Club had won medals in national competitions.  The Club held sessions for adult skaters on Sundays as well as master-classes with high profile skaters.  Committee Members were reminded of the Christmas Ice Spectacular, Oz on Ice, from 18 -21 December 2009. 

           

In response to a question on whether having an Olympic sized ice rink would benefit the Club, Mr Tarpey stated that if the building was large enough to accommodate an Olympic sized rink the Club could enter and host higher levels of competitions.  However, Mr Tarpey emphasised that this would not be cost effective because an Olympic sized rink would only be used for 5 or 6 days a year.

 

Rebecca Kane, Managing Director – Alexandra Palace Trading Limited, informed the Committee that use of the ice rink noticeably increased when the temporary ice rink first started trading at Christmas (2005/6) and when ITV started screening Dancing on Ice (Jan 2006).

 

RESOLVED

 

That the presentation be noted.

26.

PITCH AND PUTT IMPROVEMENT WORKS pdf icon PDF 383 KB

To consider information (tabled) about planned improvement and investment works for the Alexandra Park pitch and putt course from David Bugg, Golfwise.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee received the Golfwise presentation introduced by David Bugg and Andrew Bugg (Golfwise Ltd) on drainage and landscaping improvements proposals for the existing pitch and putt area and a mini-golf course in an area of the golf course which was not currently used. 

 

The Committee noted that the mini-golf course and all maintenance would be provided at no cost to the Palace and would not detract from the views of the Park.  It would be fully accessible for wheelchair users and would be open to older and young people who would not normally use the pitch and putt course and tuition and coaching would be available.

 

In response to their concerns the Committee was informed that mini-golf users would not be aiming far enough for balls to hit passing cars.

 

The Committee asked whether use of the current hut on the pitch and putt course would change with the additional facility and were informed that it would be used to service both facilities (for the supply of refreshments and the hire of golf clubs).

 

The Committee expressed concerns about the materials used for the hard surface of the mini-golf course and were informed that the specialist organisations (Rural Horizon and Urban Crazy) would work closely with the Palace to ensure acceptable materials, which were sympathetic to the surroundings and conservation area, would be used and the hard surface would be mounted in a way that could be removed and re-landscaped without detriment to the ground.

 

The Committee agreed that Colin Marr, Chair of the Alexandra Park and Palace Conservation Area Advisory Committee, could speak informally at the meeting. Mr Marr highlighted that the planning application would need to include specific design considerations to meet the requirements of the conservation area which would need to apply for both the mini-golf course and signage.

 

RESOLVED

 

That the presentation and proposals be noted and the Board be asked to consider the Committee’s comments.

 

27.

ADIZONE OUTDOOR GYM PROPOSALS pdf icon PDF 28 KB

To receive the report of the Park Manager, Alexandra Palace, detailing proposals for an Adizone outdoor Gym. Officers from the London Borough of Haringey Parks Service will present the proposals to the Committee.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee received a presentation by Martin Hall (LB Haringey - Recreation Service - Open Space Performance & Programming Officer) on proposals for an AdiZone outdoor gym facility to be installed on  the Newlands Road playing field, in the south eastern corner of Alexandra Park, 45 metres from the edge of the Park and  abutting Newlands Road.  Mr Hall was joined by Beverley Huie (LB Haringey Interim Neighbourhood Manager Crouch End Hornsey & Stroud Green) to answer questions raised by the Committee.

 

The AdiZones were multi-sports facilities, with 15-20 year life-spans, created in the shape of the Olympic logo by Adidas as part of its sponsorship of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympics Games.  Schools would be encouraged to use the equipment as would play-schemes during school holidays but other AdiZone schemes showed that older people made full, and regular, use of the equipment.  The £150k cost of the equipment would be split between the Government (in partnership with Adidas) and the Council through a Section 106 Agreement by funding secured during development of the New River Village. 

 

The Committee raised concerns about the security of the site and commented that the location of the AdiZone was unsuitable and highlighted that residents from the Campsbourne Estate did not support the proposals for these reasons.  Officers explained that local residents’ concerns about security were recognised and discussions with the Police and local Safer Neighbourhood Teams about how the site would be operated had taken place as well as a meeting with local young people who supported the proposals.

 

The Committee agreed that Colin Marr, Chair of the Alexandra Park and Palace Conservation Area Advisory Committee (CAAC), could speak informally at the meeting. Mr Marr highlighted that the proposals did not mention that the Park was a conservation area and commented that the design was overtly commercial and out of character with the area of the Park it would be situated in.  Mr Marr commented that members of the CAAC felt that adequate consultation had not taken place.  Some members of the Consultative Committee supported Mr Marr comments about the lack of consultation with local residents. Officers informed the Committee that several consultation meetings had been held with resident’s groups.

 

The Committee was reminded that local groups and individuals could submit comments to the London Borough of Haringey’s Planning Department as part of the planning application consultation until 30th November 2009.  The Board would consider the proposal at its meeting on 24th November 2009 and, if agreed, the planning application would be considered by the Planning Committee on 7th December 2009.

 

RESOLVED

 

That the report be noted and that the Board be asked to consider the Committee’s comments.

28.

PARK ACTIVITIES UPDATE pdf icon PDF 30 KB

To receive the report of the Park Manager, Alexandra Palace, updating the Consultative Committee on events and works within the park.

Minutes:

The Committee received the report of Mark Evison, Park Manager – Alexandra Park, updating on the recent activities carried out in the Park. 

 

The Committee enquired about a number of logs lining the eastern entrance of the Park which did not look diseased yet had been cut down.  Mr Evison explained that the logs were part of a large chestnut tree which had been hanging over the electrical sub-station and had been in a poor condition.  The logs had been placed by the entrance to stop people parking cars on the grass verge.

 

In response to Committee Members concerns about the North View Road path which had recently been resurfaced and was now washed away, Mr Evison explained that heavy rain and the burst Thames Water pipe had washed away the surface and it will be resurfaced again.

 

The Committee thanked Mr Evison and the Park Grounds Team for such good management of the Park.

 

RESOLVED

 

That the report be noted.

29.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS pdf icon PDF 808 KB

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.

Minutes:

The Committee received the report of Rebecca Kane, Managing Director – Alexandra Palace Trading Limited (APTL).

 

The Committee noted that the biggest earning hip hop star, JAY Z, had booked the venue just 4 weeks after Alexandra Palace had obtained an increased  licence capacity of 10,250 people in the Great Hall for concerts. 

 

The Committee were informed that the amount of funds raised at the Fireworks event would be known the following week and that tickets to the Christmas Panto,  Oz on Ice performance could be purchased on the Palace website.

 

On Guinness World Record Day (12 Nov 2009) Alexandra Palace staged an event to create the longest conga on ice. The previous record was for 106 people. AP thrashed this with a record breaking 252 people doing the conga for a full 5 minutes.

 

RESOLVED

 

That the report be noted.

 

Post-meeting note:

Further to previous Open House sessions it has been confirmed that neither the Theatre or the Television Studios at the Palace will be open during Christmas 2009.

30.

GOVERNANCE AND BRANDING pdf icon PDF 169 KB

To receive the report from the Managing Director of Alexandra Palace Trading Limited (APTL) updating on the review of the governance of Alexandra Palace.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee received the report of Rebecca Kane, Managing Director – Alexandra Palace Trading Limited (APTL) updating on the Governance Review and Vision Development for Alexandra Palace.  Ms Kane thanked members of the Committee for attending the Stakeholder Forum on 24 October.  Members were reminded to communicate the report to their residents associations/ colleagues etc. and provide feedback to the Palace by 4th December 2009 on the structural options – using the pack of info sent out the week before.

 

RESOLVED

 

That the report be noted.

 

 

31.

DEER ENCLOSURE PLANNING APPLICATION pdf icon PDF 28 KB

To receive a report from the Park Manager, Alexandra Palace, detailing the planning application for an extension to the secondary deer enclosure.

Minutes:

The Committee received the report of Mark Evison, Park Manager – Alexandra Palace, informing of the planning application for the extension to the secondary deer enclosure.

 

The Committee agreed that Colin Marr, Chair of the Alexandra Park and Palace Conservation Area Advisory Committee (CAAC), could speak informally at the meeting on behalf of the CAAC. Mr Marr stated that the deer enclosure already occupied a large area of the northern part of the Park and the extension would make a further area inaccessible to the public and would bring the boundary of the Park inwards.  The extension presented a risk to three of the mature oak trees and Mr Marr recommended reducing the size of the herd rather than increasing the enclosure.

 

In response to comments that there had been no consultation with park users, the Committee were informed that the deer herd had been part of the original site layout in 1863 and the 2002 Heritage Lottery Funding project consultation on the vision of the Park including a deer enclosure extension had been supported.

 

RESOLVED

 

That the report be noted and the Board be asked to consider the Committee’s comments.

32.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Minutes:

Feedback from interested groups on Governance Review

 

The Committee were reminded that feedback from interested groups on the Governance Review, following on from the Stakeholders Event on 24th October 2009, should be submitted to Amanda Sears,  amanda.sears@alexandrapalace.comor by post to the following address:

 

Amanda Sears

Executive Assistant

Alexandra Palace Trading Ltd

Alexandra Palace Way

Wood Green

N22 7AY

t 020 8365 2121

f 020 8883 3999

 

Theatre

 

Councillor Peacock informed Committee Members that the Haringey Buildings Preservation Trust will be considering the possibility of providing funding towards the repair of the Palace Theatre.

33.

DATE OF FUTURE MEETINGS

16th February 2010

8th April 2010

Minutes:

The future meeting dates were noted:

16th February 2010

8th April 2010