Agenda and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Mr Frith (due to illness) Councillor Whyte, and Councillor Newton (for whom Councillor Beynon was substituting).

NOTED

Any additional item of urgent business will be considered under item  below.

There were no items of urgent business.

NOTED

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

There were no declarations of interests.

i)                    To approve the minutes of the meeting of the Advisory Committee held on 23 January 2007.

ii)         To consider any matters arising from the Minutes.

iii)       To note the draft minutes of the meeting of the Alexandra Palace and Park Board held on (A) 7 February 2007 (attached) (B) (i) (Special) 20 February 2007 at 18.30hrs (attached) (ii) (Special) 20 February 2007 at 19.30hrs (attached);

iv)        To note the draft minutes of the meeting of the  Consultative Committee of 30 January 2007 (attached).

i)                          Minutes of the meeting of the Advisory Committee held on 23 January 2007

                        RESOLVED 

            That the minutes of the Alexandra Park and Palace Advisory Committee held on 23 January 2007 be confirmed as an accurate record of the proceedings subject to the following amendment:

Page 4 – APSC36

3^rd bullet point – delete ‘Lower Road’ and replace with ‘Alexandra Palace Way’

5^th bullet point – after the word ‘entrances’ add the words ‘ and particularly the foot entrance’

                        Matters arising         

(i)                 In response to points of clarification from Mr Aspden in relation to (APSC 36) 1^st bullet point – re LBH Highways discussions re entrance works Mr Holder and Mr Loudfoot advised that the works specification was currently under review but stressed that the land outside of the entrances was not the Palace’s land and the works were HLF works.  There had been a meeting with Highways Services as to the design and the scheme was currently being re-priced. Mr Loudfoot further advised of the items that had been deleted from the scheme such as the large planter and also some adjustment work.  It was hoped that a further report on the final design and scope of works would be brought to the next meeting of the Advisory Committee.  

(ii)               In response to clarification from Ms Hutchinson and other members as regards (APSC 36) 8^th bullet re the new Haringey Heartlands School and use of the Park space for recreation/sports Mr Holder advised that discussions would take place as to the wider use of the cricket club space.  The Board had given its support to the proposed usage but discussions would be further required between the LEA and Cricket Club as to the possible defined usage.  The usage outcome would need to be something mutually acceptable to all parties concerned.

(iii)              In response to points of clarification from Mr Aspden in relation to (APSC 38) – List of events at the palace Mr Holder advised that the circulated list of events would be updated at each meeting.  In respect of the point re traffic problems encountered on New Years Eve Mr Holder commented that the Board had considered the minute and was in agreement that the car parks should be opened. There were however cost implications that would require some quantification and reporting to the Board.         

ii)                  Draft minutes of the meeting of the Alexandra Palace and Park Board held on (A) 6 February 2007 (B) (Special) 20 February 2007 at 18.30hrs (Special) 20 February 2007 at 19.30hrs

                        RESOLVED 

            That the draft minutes of the Alexandra Palace and Park Board held on 6 February 2007,  20 February 2007 at 18.30hrs (Special) and 20 February 2007 at 19.30hrs  (Special) be noted; and

iii)           Draft minutes of the meeting of the Alexandra Palace and Park   Consultative Committee of 30 January 2007

            That the draft minutes of the Alexandra Palace and Park Consultative Committee held on 30 January 2007 be noted.

To advise the Committee on progress.

The Chair asked for a brief introduction of the item.

The General Manager – Mr Holder advised that in respect of the Order the matter was still with the Charity Commission for determination.  The Charity Commission had advised that the proposed Order would now be determined by 2 or more Commissioners and not 1, as previously advised, and that the determination was expected to be carried out the following week on 3 April 2007.  Mr Holder also advised of a meeting that would take place the day prior to the determination between himself, 4 trustees and the legal adviser to the Charity Commission.

In response to points of clarification Mr Holder commented that all comments received by the Commission would be considered by them.  Their deliberations would be in private session and there would be no interaction between the Trustees and the Commissioners.  The situation was very much in limbo until the deliberations of the Commission on 3 April and it was not known whether the Commission would modify the Order, ask for further information or clarification, or not agree the Order.  

Councillor Hare advised the Committee that in his view the meeting on 2 April 2007 had been convened as a result of his specific request to the Commission.

In response to a request for clarification from Mr Aspden with regard to the post of Monitoring Officer, the General Manager’s future position and the accuracy of the recorded minute of the Consultative Committee of late January 2007. Mr Holder advised that the post of Monitoring officer was in fact the role of Monitoring Surveyor and that Robinson Low Francis (RLF) had been appointed to undertake this crucial role as specified in the draft Charity Commission Order.  This Company had been part of the original project team and had carried out the measured survey of the building. In this respect no other company would have the rights to the information this RLF held in relation to the building.  The term of the contract was 5 years.  The firm would also monitor the progress of work throughout the construction period.  With regard to the future position and role of the General Manager Mr Holder advised that he was not in a position to comment at this time, but that the minute was an accurate reflection of what was reported at that meeting.

There being no further points of clarification the Chair thanked Mr Holder for his brief update.

RESOLVED   

That the report be noted.

In a succinct introduction to the circulated report the Facilities Manager, Mr Loudfoot, gave a brief update of each of the areas of HLF work and answered points of clarification.

Mr Loudfoot also advised that the new Parks Manager, Mark Evison, would commence his duties on 8 May 2007.  The Committee welcomed the appointment.  Mr Loudfoot updated the Committee on the successful tendering for the various Park outlets which had all been let with the exception of the workshops.  The occupation and operation of the outlets was hoped to be completed by June 2007.  Members asked that a map showing the actual location of each outlet be supplied to the next meeting of the Committee.

The Committee sought clarification as to a number of issues including:

• The need for assessing existing surfaces in locations in and around the Park area as to possible resurfacing and difficulties at various locations i.e. Northview Road Gravel path, Lower Road Tarmac/gravel
• Link 81 Cycle Path at the Lower Road by Northview Road
• Comments in relation to The Workshop falling into disuse and clarification by the General Manager that the building was not usable because of unauthorised modifications by the previous tenant  but was now safe to be let
• The desire for a ‘walkabout’ of the park following the arrival of the new parks Manager on an evening in mid/late June 2007
• The possible use of the gas pumping station at the Bedford Road entrance
• The issue of signage previously raised and in particular this referred to the ‘foot entrance’ at Muswell Hill and the need for improvement in terms of signage.  Confirmation given by Mr Loudfoot of improved signage at various locations together with explanations of tree pruning and foliage cut backs
• There was no possibility of raising the level of the observation platform at the lake though visibility was better now that there had been cutting back
• The dangers and difficulties of parking on the eastern side of Alexandra Palace Way (not the Lower Road) and Mr Loudfoot’s confirmation that the matter was being looked at as to any possible revisions to ease the problem
• Concerns at the possible loss of the bus stop on the eastern up side of Alexandra Palace Way
• Concern at the continuing uncertainty about the status of, and plans for Redston pond, which had recently been drained.

RESOLVED

i.                                that the HLF update be noted;

ii.               that an evening walk about around the Park be arranged for Mid/late June 2007;

iii.              that a map showing outlet locations be supplied for the next meeting of the Committee and.

iv.           that Mr. Loudfoot be requested to take up with TfL and LUC the Committee’s desire to find a way of maintaining the bus stop on the eastern up side as close as possible to its present location.    

i.          The Park entrance into the Grove from Muswell Hill – TFL funds for green urban walkways  - raised by Ms Meyers – Muswell Hill and Fortis Green Association.  

.

The Park entrance into the Grove from Muswell Hill – TFL funds for green urban walkways - raised by Ms Myers – Muswell Hill and Fortis Green Association.

In response to the matter raised by Ms Myers,  Mr Loudfoot advised that he had been unable to clarify totally the issue of funding the green urban walkways but that there was ‘Greenways’ funding available which the local authority were obliged to spend. It was a question of monies being allocated to Parkland walks and there was currently a proposed scheme for improvements to the School entrance and bus stop area which may well include or possibly pick up the much needed improvements to the Park entrance.

Ms Myers commented that there certainly a need for signage showing that there was an entrance to the Park and that the entrance area did require some considerable improvement and the possible removal of the canopy and replacement bridge.

Councillor Engert commented that the improvements alluded to were part of the Greenways 2 programme with Sustrans looking into monies being available. The monies for the school etc were separate monies, which would also improve the subways.

NOTED        

i.                    Future Events

The Committee welcomed the circulated ‘future events’ list and sought clarification of those events listed.

NOTED

ii.                  Paddock Car Park Bus Shelter

Mr Aspden raised the issue of the bus shelter in the Paddock car park, which was still in a derelict state. Mr. Loudfoot agreed to follow up with the contractors and report back to the next meeting.

iii.                Fun Fair noise

Councillor Oatway advised that she had been approached as an individual as to the noise levels at the funfair and would report back to the next meeting of the Committee.

NOTED