Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Mr Pestell due to a hospital confinement, Councillor Dillon due to returning from a family bereavement in Ireland and for lateness from Councillor Haley.

The Chair asked that the Committee’s sentiments be passed to Mr Pestell for a speedy recovery.

                    NOTED  

Nil

There was no urgent business.

(a)               To confirm and sign the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 22 November 2005.

(b)               To note the draft Minutes of the meetings of the Alexandra Palace and Park Board held on (i) 29 November 2005,  and (ii) the special meeting held on 10 January 2006.

The Chair asked if there were any points of accuracy.

Ms Feeney referred to the minutes of the Alexandra Palace and Park Consultative Committee held of 22 November 2005 discussions in relation to the signage in the Park which the General Manager had agreed to have removed, but this had not been recorded.

The Clerk advised that he would need to check his notes of the meeting to clarify this point.

RESOLVED:

1.       That the minutes of the meeting of the Alexandra Palace and Park Consultative Committee held on 22 November 2005 be confirmed and signed as a correct record, subject to clarification of discussions in relation to the signage in the Park which the General Manager had agreed to have removed; and

2.       That the minutes of the meetings of the Alexandra Palace and Park Board held on 29 November 2005, and the special Board meeting of 10 January 2006 be noted.

MATTERS ARISING:

None

              (Verbal Report of the General Manager, Alexandra Palace) To advise       the Committee on progress on the search for an investment partner.

The Chair asked the General Manager - Mr Holder to give a brief introduction of the current state of play and recent history.  Mr Holder advised the meeting that as those present may be aware the Board, at its meeting the previous evening, selected Firoka (Heythrop Park) Ltd as its preferred bidder for developing the future of the asset.

Mr Holder informed the meeting of the background to the proceedings by outlining that following the meeting of the Board of 29 November 2005 the 3 preferred bidders - The Business Design Centre Group Ltd, Earls and Olympia Group Ltd, and Firoka (Heythrop Park) Ltd. had been required to submit their detailed proposals (“Proposals”) by 6^th January 2006. In the development brief the Bidders had been asked to provide significant amounts of information in their Proposals, as detailed in section 4. He advised that as Members of the Committee were aware The Business Design Centre Group Ltd had withdrawn from the process on 21st December 2005. 

At the Board meeting on 29 November 2005 it had been agreed that each of the bidders had been asked to make a presentation of their proposals to the Board and of the two remaining bidders - Earls and Olympia Group Ltd, and Firoka (Heythrop Park) Ltd, Firoka (Heythrop Park) Ltd – Firoka had given a presentation to the Board on 10 January 2006,.but Earls Court and Olympia Group Ltd.  had declined to either give a presentation or submit presentation boards for public display.  

                            Mr Holder then gave a succinct outline of the Firoka bid which covered:

·        to introduce additional uses to supplement the existing activities within the Palace, in a manner that reflected the original vision of the Palace, as a place of public entertainment on a grand scale.

·      three distinct areas of use and related phases (as illustrated by an axonometric). Phase 1(central areas) related to Exhibition use, Phase 2 (west end) to Hospitality and Phase 3 (east end) Community uses. The phases could be sequential or concurrent depending on the level and complexity of the existing business use at any one time. The existing Exhibition Halls would be refurbished and additional means of escape provided to increase both the capacity and flexibility of the Halls.

·      Firoka’s intention to work with Mr Smith & the Alexandra Palace Organ Society to ensure The Willis Organ could be retained with the goal being, an increase in the range of concerts and attractions at the Palace.

·      In respect of Hospitality - this included the existing Palm Court from which the Hotel, Bar, Restaurant and relocated 1000 seat replacement Panorama Room were accessed. The 150 bedroom Alexandra Palace Hotel would be located in the restored south wing relating to the arcaded façade and the historical Glazed Corridor with lounges and suites located in the south west tower.

·      the Community facilities, arranged around the three centrally stacked uses of Studio Cinemas, Bowling and a new rooftop Ice Rink. The historical Theatre would be incorporated within the Studio  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33.

Following a brief introduction of the report by the Facilities Manager – Mr Loudfoot, and clarification of the proposals from Members the Chair summarised and it was:

                        RESOLVED

That the planning application and associated listed building consent for the Panorama Room at Alexandra Palace be noted.

Following a brief introduction of the report by the Facilities Manager – Mr Loudfoot, the Chair summarised and it was:

                        RESOLVED

That the listed building consent for the Theatre Stage at Alexandra Palace be endorsed and the Board be advised accordingly.

Following a brief introduction by the General Manager the Committee briefly discussed the report and the implications of a number of events scheduled.  In response to comments as to obtaining information regarding planned events Mr Holder advised that information could be obtained from the website under ‘What’s on’ .  Clarification was also given as to the ‘Spiders and Snakes’ event, and also the practice of not refunding cancellation fees. 

There being no points of clarification and comments it was:

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

None requested

(i)                 Parks Work Programme

In response to comments as to an update, the General manger advised that he would ensure the comprehensive parks work programme, being considered by the Board on 7 February 2006, would be circulated to Members of the Committee.  The Clerk undertook to circulate this information.

(ii)               Theatre Machinery

Mr O’Callaghan welcomed the progress made in the renovation works and passed his congratulations on in this respect.

In response to points of clarification from Mr O’Callaghan with regard to restoration Mr Willmott advised of the progress works thus far and the idea of further summer events. 

(iii)             Palace Tours

In response to questions from Councillor Hare, Mr Holder responded that these would resume in early Mid March 2006.

4 APRIL 2006

RESOLVED

That the following remaining date be noted as the meeting of the Consultative Committee for the Municipal Year 2005/06:

                        4 April 2006

Meeting terminated at 21.15HRS

Cllr Vivienne Manheim

CHAIR