Agenda and draft minutes

Please note 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.  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’, 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 filming of meetings notice was noted.

The Chair mentioned that three positions on the Advisory Committee remained unfilled, and Natalie Layton was tasked with following up on this matter.

To receive any apologies for absence.

The Chair welcomed Councillor Sean O’Donovan.

Apologies were received from Councillor Arkell.

A member with a disclosable pecuniary interest or a prejudicial interest in a matter who attends a meeting of the authority at which the matter is considered:

(i) must disclose the interest at the start of the meeting or when the interest becomes apparent, and

(ii) may not participate in any discussion or vote on the matter and must withdraw from the meeting room.

A member who discloses at a meeting a disclosable pecuniary interest which is not registered in the Register of Members’ Interests or the subject of a pending notification must notify the Monitoring Officer of the interest within 28 days of the disclosure.

Disclosable pecuniary interests, personal interests and prejudicial interests are defined at Paragraphs 5-7 and Appendix A of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

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 under item X below).

None.

To approve the minutes of the Statutory Advisory Committee held on 14 Sept 2023 as a correct record.

The minutes of the Statutory Advisory Committee held on 14 Sept 2023 were noted.

SAC Members to review the Committee's function as an advisory committee of the Trustee Board.

The committee agreed to defer this item. It was acknowledged that the Statutory Advisory Committee believed adjustments were necessary to better represent the role, responsibilities, and vision of the statutory committee.

RESOLVED

It was decided that proposed changes to the statement's wording would be forwarded to Natalie Layton and the chair. The revised statement will be reviewed and finalised at the upcoming meeting of the Statutory Advisory Committee in the new year.

To consider the report and agree any feedback for the Trustee Board.

Emma Dagnes, CEO of Alexandra Palace and Park introduced the report,

The following was noted in the discussion:

• The Trustee Board convened on the 12th of October 2023, appointing Nick da Costa as the Lead Trustee for Environmental Sustainability.
• On governance matters, the updated draft byelaws were dispatched to the SAC and CC in June, eliciting some feedback. The SAC and CC will be involved in the final draft consultation, although the work to replace the existing 1929 Byelaws is not anticipated to progress until the next financial year. A timetable will be shared when available.
• Concerning maintenance, repairs, and improvements since the last report, the CEO highlighted ongoing work related to the Bedford Road structural retaining walls. Path and railings work continued throughout September and October.
• In October, the Ice Rink replacement chiller installation included the crane lift from the North Service Yard and subsequent commissioning.
• Regarding Collection Preservation, attention was drawn to the archive shelving unit dismantled at Goodwood Archive and donated to the Trust in 2019. Installed in the former BBC Canteen, these units facilitate easy access to the collection while maintaining the necessary storage conditions to prevent deterioration over time. This consolidation enables the archives to be stored in a central space.
• The People’s Picture (150 Lifetimes) project will install a mural in the East Court and replace information boards near the BBC Tower and Transmitter Hall. Statutory applications, including Listed Building and Advert Consent, will be submitted shortly.
• In terms of strategic projects, the CEO highlighted a mini-tender exercise undertaken in autumn to procure the services of a public engagement specialist. This specialist will conduct a first-phase fact-finding exercise to ascertain the sentiments of users and non-users regarding The Grove, identifying necessary improvements or changes and providing recommendations for the next steps. The Committee will be informed of the timetable for this work.
• The Trust is exploring ideas from local community groups to revitalise the Campsbourne Building in the short to medium term. Several necessary works are required to bring the building up to a good standard before the Trust can legally lease or license it.
• An online visitor survey was initiated in October to collect feedback and opinions on the northern part of the Park (skatepark, playground, and Boating Lake). The survey aims to gather data supporting improvement projects and aiding in funding requests.

RESOLVED:

The general update report was noted.

To consider the report and agree any feedback for the Trustee Board.

Mark Evison, Head of Park and Environmental Sustainability introduced the report.

The following was noted in the discussion:

• Park visitor numbers for 2022-23 were estimated at 3.8 million. Although this figure was lower than the peaks observed during the pandemic, it still surpassed the pre-pandemic averages.
• The Park maintained the Green Flag and Green Heritage Awards in 2023 and achieved Gold standard in three London in Bloom categories (large park, heritage park, and large conservation area).
• The committee was encouraged to submit stories for the Creative Learning ‘The People’s Picture’ before the Christmas period.
• The Creative Learning team secured funding to deliver engagement activities for both the Haringey Feast and Alexandra Palace’s 150th Anniversary. The Young Producers oversaw two commissions, organising workshops across Haringey and leading on digital content for the feast.
• Regarding Haringey music services, the Symphony Orchestra worked on an exciting program of repertoire for the upcoming term, with details to be circulated once confirmed. Haringey Music Service brought 106 young musicians to Alexandra Palace each week.
• Young adults with disabilities from John Dewey Specialist College have been working with filmmaker Joe Bloom to make a short film
• Young adults with disabilities from John Dewey Specialist College collaborated with filmmaker Joe Bloom to create a short film. The Rhythm Stick events management course, designed by and for people with disabilities, attracted 15 young participants. The events were hosted in Marcus Garvey Library as part of the Library Lates series.
• Creative Learning received a grant to deliver a program of engagement across Haringey Library Service for Biblio-buzz 2024. This included performances, author readings, and discussions in libraries, with 30 schools enrolled in the program.
• The Windrush 75: The Grip Exhibition, organised by Haringey artists collaborating with older Haringey Residents from the Windrush Generation, was exhibited at Bruce Castle Museum and became part of their archive.
• 81 active volunteers were involved in various departments across Alexandra Palace and Park. The CEO hosted a social event with the volunteers in September, expressing gratitude for their continued support and planning the launch of the 'By the People: 150 Lifetimes' project.
• Incidents with fireworks included an intruder cutting communication cables in the park, endangering many lives. Security was increased to ensure the safety of staff and visitors.
• Councillor Sean O’Donovan, the new Vice Chair of the APPCT Board, congratulated the events and performances, particularly praising the use of the Transmitter Hall. Councillor O’Donovan shared positive feedback on volunteering efforts, including firework displays and the Haringey Feast.
• The carbon footprint pre-covid was ,3000 tonnes CO2e, this reduced to 2,243 tonnes CO2e in 2022/23.
• Gas consumption for 2022/23 decreased by 21% compared to the previous year.
• As the Palace bared a large and complex electrical distribution system installed in the 1980s it had been awarded a Local Energy Accelerator grant by the GLA in 2022. This grant funded a clean energy feasibility study that assessed potential ways to reduce the carbon footprint of the Palace and Park and there is still more  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

Members emphasised the necessity of altering the format of the Statutory Advisory Committee to reduce similarities and repetition with the Consultative Committee meeting. The Chair informed members that agenda items could be addressed outside the meeting if members were willing to share contact details, and consensus was reached on this.

It was decided that proposals for future agenda items and topics would be submitted to Natalie Layton and subject to approval by the Chair.

To consider any items of urgent business as identified at item 5.

None.

To note the dates of future meetings:

29th January 2024.

The next meeting of the Consultative Committee will be held on the 25th January 2024.

The meeting closed at 9.30pm.