Agenda and draft minutes

An apology for absence was received on behalf of Ms J. Hutchinson, for whom Ms C Hayter was substituting.  Apologies were also received on behalf of Councillor C. Harris, and  Councillor S. Rainger (for whom Cllr Engert was substituting), and Councillor Newton (due to being unwell).  The Committee asked that their best wishes be passsed to Councillor Newton for a speedy recovery.

NOTED

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

There were no declarations of interests.

NOTED

At this point in the proceedings the Chair informed the Committee that at his invite, Councillor Cooke – Chair of the Alexandra Palace and Park Board was in attendance to briefly address the meeting in respect of the future of the asset. The Chair advised that Councillor Cooke had a further meeting to go to and would therefore only be able to stay in attendance until 20.00hrs.

Councillor Cooke, in thanking the Chair for his invitation, commented to the Advisory Committee that he felt that it was important for him to come to the meeting as there were obviously a number of questions that the Advisory Committee would wish to ask, and hopefully he would be in a position to respond.  He also stressed that he was not speaking on behalf of the Board but in his capacity as Chair of the Board.

Councillor Cooke referred to recent events in respect of the future of the Palace and the fact that the preferred bidder and partner – the Firoka Group had, on 18 August 2008, withdrawn its interest in the development of Alexandra Palace.  

Councillor Cooke further informed the Committee that the Board, on 26 September 2008, had considered an independent review of the licence entered into with the Firoka Group – the Walklate report, which was readily available on the Council’s web.  The Board had endorsed the recommendation/findings of the review, as well as an action plan arising from the review in respect to governance arrangements.

With regard to the future of the Palace Councillor Cooke commented on the opportunty now open to the Board, given the history of the Palace over the past 25 years, to look at the pure potential of the Palaceand he felt that there was an exciting prospect for the Board during the next 6 months, in conjunction with the Local community, residents, statutory bodies and interested groups, to look at a whole range of isues in respect of the future of the Palace. Councillor Cooke also commented that by having an open and frank dialogue this would not preclude any idea or proposal and he was confident that this process would be a positive and successful one.

Councillor Cooke further commented that issues such as existing trusteeship would need to be looked at, and whether there were options for the transferof trusteeship in the future, and recognising what was the best interest of the Palace. Councillor Cooke concluded that he looked forward to hearing any comments of Advisory Committee.

The Chair thanked Councillor Cooke for his succinct comments and asked if there were any questions from the Committee.

Mr Aspden expressed his thanks at Councillor Cooke’s attendance, and that in part, as Chair, he was receiving ‘flack’ for a whole range of decisions that had been taken prior to his becoming Chair of the Board.  In his view it was evident that Councillor Cooke was clear in what he would like the Board to concentrate on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

i)                    To approve the minutes of the meeting of the Advisory Committee held on  8 July 2008  (attached marked A).

                        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 22 July 2008 and the responses of the Board to recommendations of the Advisory Committee, (attached marked B, Bi, Bii), and the draft minutes of the Alexandra Palace and Park Consultative Committee held on 15 July 2008 (attached marked C).

The Chair, in seeking the Committee’s approval to the circulated Alexandra Park and Palace Advisory Committee of  8 July 2008, and noting the minutes of the Board of 22 July 2008, and the Consultative Committee of 15 July 2008, asked if there were any points of clarification, or matters arising.

Mr Aspden raised the issue of the track betting licence for the world darts championship, and the advice received from the Council’s Legal Services in respect of this Committee’s remit in considering the licence application.  The Committee then discussed the issue of the licence awarded in respect of the World’s Darts Championship. The advice of the Council’s Head of Legal Services had been received in late February 2008 in relation to the remit of this Committee, and that that advice  had not then been considered by the Advisory Committee in March due to other pressures and considerations.

The Committee considered the advice received which had stated that in the view of the Council’s Head of Legal Services officer the matter of the licence application was not one for consideration by the Advisory Committee and was not within this Committee’s remit.

The Committee expressed the view that given that the event was of considerable importance and size, this was a matter that should be considered by the Committee, and after discussion commented that it disagreed with the advice.  It was felt that the Council’s Head of Legal Services officer attend a specially convened meeting of the Advisory Committee in mid November 2008 to give the reasons for the expressed view, and dependent upon that view, the Advisory Committee seek further legal opinion.

The Chair summarised and it was:

RESOLVED

i.                    That the minutes of the meeting of the Alexandra Park and Palace Advisory Committee held on 8 July 2008 be agreed as an accurate record of the proceedings;

ii.                  That the minutes of the meeting of the Alexandra Palace and Park Board held on 22 July 2008, and the minutes of the Alexandra Palace and Park  Consultative Committee held on 15 July 2008 be noted;

iii.                That in respect of the legal clarification of advice given by the LB Haringey re:- the Gaming Licence (Occasional Use Notice) under section 39 of the Gambling Act 2005, and the Advisory Committee’s remit

a.      That the Board be requested to note that the Advisory Committee does not agree with the advice received from  the LB Haringey’s Legal Service that the matter did not fall  within its remit;

b.   That the Advisory Committee intends  to convene either a Special or Urgency Sub-Committee meeting in  mid November 2008 to discuss the  advice and that it has requested that the LB Haringey’s Legal Service attend that meeting for the purpose of the Committee receiving the advice and having an opportunity to consider the same with the officers/ advisers concerned; and

c.  That the Advisory Committee intends to consider (following such meeting) obtaining a second opinion as to the legal advice tendered by the LB Haringey’s Legal Service.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

Report of the Park Manager – To update the Committee on forthcoming events and works within the Park.

The Chair then asked for a brief introduction of the report.

In a succinct introduction to the circulated report Mr Evison gave a brief update of recent activities carried out in Alexandra Park and answered points of clarification.

Mr Evison also advised of the success of the event on Sunday 10 August 2008 to celebrate HLF project..

Mr Evison also advised that following the positive visit from the Green Flag Judges at the end of May 2008, the Park had been awarded green flag status and the flag had now been flying since awarding. 

The Committee then briefly raised the following points of concern;

·        Concerns with regard to further lighting in and around the Park and poor/gloomy lighting at various entrances. In response the General Manager – Mr Loudfoot advised that the lighting was under review and would be reported on further. 

·        Further concerns regarding the security issues previously raised and the recent ‘345 Club’ Incident, and problems at dusk near the footbridge.  The General Manager advised that the information had been passed to the Council’s Safer Neighbourhood Team, and Hornsey Police. 

Following clarification from Councillor Engert as regards the current situation concerning the cricket club lease, the General Manager advised that the Board would be considering the matter of lease arrangements at its next meeting on 21 October 2008.

The Committee then discussed in detail the matter of the rent review, and proposed lease arrangements with the Cricket Club and the remit of the Advisory Committee in terms of having knowledge or sight of any sub leasing proposals and whether any such applications should be considered by the Advisory Committee for their comment, prior to consideration by the Board.

Following a number of views expressed the Chair summarised and it was:

RESOLVED

i.                                that the update be noted; and

ii.               that in respect of the rent review of the Lease for Alexandra Park Cricket Club,

a.         That the Board consults the Advisory Committee in respect of the terms of any  proposed sub- lease, following the variation of the Cricket Club’s existing lease; and

b.         that consultation with this Committee should occur before any proposed sub-lease is  considered by the Board, in order for the Committee to express its views to the Board.           

Report of the General Manager, Alexandra Palace – To advise the Committee on forthcoming events to the end of the financial year 2008/09.

In a brief introduction of the report the General Manager – Mr Loudfoot outlined the confirmed and provisional bookings for the Palace to April 2009. In particular the Fireworks event on 8 November, the Ice Rink panto in December, and the Slamin Vinyl event in April 2009. 

The Committee briefly discussed  the forthcoming Fireworks event on 8 November and the concerns previously expressed by Advisory and Consultative Committees regarding entrance closures and crowd control, and the need to ensure clear and visual information as to exist closures.

In conclusion the Chair asked that the General Manager note the concerns regarding crowd control and entrance closure in terms of the finalising of arrangements for the event on 8 November 2008.

RESOLVED 

that the General Manager be asked to note the concerns regarding crowd control and entrance closure in terms of the finalising of arrangements for the Firework event on 8 November 2008.

To advise the Committee on progress.

The General Manager – Mr Loudfoot advised the meeting that, as many were already aware, the Firoka Group gave formal notice of withdrawing its interest as preferred bidder for the future development of the asset on 18 August 2008.  The Board, at a special meeting on 26 September 2008, considered a number of matters relating to the future of the asset, including an independent review of the Licence arrangements entered into with the Firoka Group (a copy of that review was available for any Member at this meeting). The resultant recommendations arising from that review regarding the future governance arrangements relating to the Palace had been endorsed by the Board.  Mr Loudfoot further advised that the Board had also discussed, and as referred to by Councillor Cooke earlier in the meeting, had agreed that an away day be arranged to discuss the future of the asset, and the way forward in the next 6/12 months.

In response to points of clarification from Councillor Whyte in relation to outstanding monies owed in respect of utility bills by the Firoka Group, Mr Loudfoot advised that this matter was still unresolved and was being pursued.  The issue of the future of the ice rink had been answered earlier and Mr Loudfoot reiterated his comments concerning the life of the ice rink and the costs attributed thereto.   In response to points of clarification from the Chair and Mr Aspden Mr Loudfoot advised that in terms of the costs of bringing the whole building back into use, this had been assessed at circa £35 million for the repair to the shell/core of the building.  In terms of general maintenance, the annual figure was in the region of £250k.  The reassessment had been carried out recently and was an up to date and realistic assessment figure.

In response to points of clarification from Mr Aspden as to the references on page 50, paragraph 53 and page 52, paragraph 58 of the review as to whether the lease had or had not been signed, Mr Loudfoot advised that he was unable to clarify this point but that there was a difference between signing of, and completion/concluding of a lease agreement.  

Mr Aspden commented that, when the issue had been raised with the former General Manager at the 23 January 2007 meeting, the Committee had been advised by him specifically that the lease had not been signed.  In response, Mr Loudfoot advised that the master agreement and project agreement had been signed in November 2006, subject to the granting of an order by the Charity Commission.  In response to clarification from Councillor Oatway Mr Loudfoot advised that the completion would have been reliant upon the order being granted by the Charity Commission.

The Committee then briefly discussed the findings of the independent review, the main points being:-

·        the considerable concern and disquiet at the findings of the independent review into the granting of a Licence to Firoka to carry out  the functions of the trading company

·        the entering  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

Nil items

10 FEBRUARY 2009

10 February 2009