Agenda and minutes

Election of Chair

As it was the first meeting of the Municipal Year 2009/10 the Clerk, Ms Natalie Cole, sought nominations for the position of Chair of the Advisory Committee. 

Councillor Oatway nominated Mr David Liebeck as Chair of the Advisory Committee for the Municipal Year 2009/10.  Councillor Whyte seconded the nomination.

There being no further nominations it was:

RESOLVED

That Mr D. Liebeck (Warner Estate Residents’ Association) be duly elected as Chair of the Alexandra Park and Palace Advisory Committee for the Municipal Year 2009/10.

Mr D. Liebeck in the Chair

Election of Vice-Chair

The Chair sought nominations for the position of Vice-Chair of the Advisory Committee for the Municipal Year 2009/10.  Ms Jane Hutchinson (Alexandra Residents’ Association) nominated Councillor Oatway as Vice Chair of the Advisory Committee.  Mr. Harry Aspden (Warner Estate Residents’ Association) seconded the nomination.

There being no further nominations it was:

RESOLVED

That Councillor S. Oatway be duly elected as Vice-Chair of the Alexandra Park and Palace Advisory Committee for the Municipal Year 2009/10.

To note any changes to the membership of the Advisory Committee.

The Chair advised that the qualifying associations to the Committee had confirmed to him their agreed allocation of places on the Committee for 2009/10 from amongst their number to the 8 allocated places.

The Chair explained that due to the resignation of Mr Paul Wastall, the Alexandra Residents’ Association would take one place on the Committee instead of the two places allocated to the Alexandra Residents’ Association in 2008/09. 

The additional nominated place would be allocated to Muswell Hill and Fortis Green Association, which Mr Dennis Heathcote would take up. 

The Chair also informed the Committee that Councillors Beynon and C. Harris would be replaced by Councillor Davies (Fortis Green Ward) and Councillor Dobbie (Noel Park Ward).

The Chair then MOVED and it was:

RESOLVED

That the allocation of the 8 places from the qualifying Associations to the Alexandra Palace and Park Advisory Committee for the Municipal Year 2009/10 as detailed below be noted:

Nominated Members

Alexandra Residents’ Association:                         Ms Jane Hutchinson

Muswell Hill and Fortis Green Association:                       Ms Monica Myers

Muswell Hill and Fortis Green Association:                       Mr Dennis Heathcote

Palace Gates Residents’ Association:                              Ms Jackie Baker

Palace View Residents’ Association                                 Vacancy

Palace View Residents’ Association (Deputy):                Ms Shan Rees

The Rookfield Association:                                                  Mr David Frith

The Rookfield Association (deputy):                                   Mr Frank Hilton

Warner Estate Residents’ Association:                             Mr David Liebeck

Warner Estate Residents’ Association:                             Mr Harry Aspden

The Chair welcomed David Heathcote (Muswell Hill and Fortis Green Association) and Mark De’Ath (Acting Head of Operations and Events -Alexandra Palace) to their first meeting of the Committee.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Davies, Dobbie and Demerci due to previous engagements and other meetings.

Councillor Newton gave apologies for having to leave the meeting early due to feeling unwell.

To appoint 2 Councillor representatives and 2 Residents’ Association representatives to the Urgency Sub-Committee, and appoint a Chair and Vice-Chair of the Urgency Sub-Committee from the confirmed representatives appointed thereto.

The Chair suggested that the same members as last year sat on the Statutory Advisory Urgency Committee and Councillor Oatway suggested that Councillor Dobbie be invided to sit on the Urgency Sub-Committee. 

The Chair MOVED and it was:

RESOLVED

That the following Members be appointed to the Urgency Sub-Committee of the Advisory Committee for the Municipal Year 2009/10 as detailed below:

Mr Liebeck (Chair)

Mr Frith

Councillor Oatway (Vice Chair)

Councillor Dobbie

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

Councillor Newton declared a prejudicial interest in Agenda Item 10 – Great Hall Capacity.  Councillor Newton was a member of theLondon Borough of Haringey’s Licensing Committee and would leave the room during discussions.

To note the rules of procedures of the Advisory Committee.

The Chair introduced the rules of procedure and highlighted the following:

Rule 7 which stated that the quorum for a meeting of the Advisory Committee was six (3 appointed members and 3 nominated members)

Rule 9 which related to the Urgency Sub-Committee, which would exist to transact urgent business which in the opinion of the Chair could not wait to be dealt with at the next meeting

Rule 13 which related to the proceedings of the Committee if it was not quorate.

RESOLVED

That the circulated rules of procedure be noted.

i)          To approve the minutes of the meeting of the Advisory Committee held on 10^th February 2009 (attached) and 21 May 2009(attached);

ii)         To note the draft minutes of the meetings of the Alexandra Palace and Park Board held on 24^th February 2009, 19^th March 2009 (attached) and 16^th April 2009 (TO FOLLOW).

iii)        To note the draft minutes of the meeting of the Consultative Committee held on 17^th February 2009.

iv)        To note the draft minutes of the meetings of Alexandra Palace and Park Panel held on 3^rd March, and 29^th April 2009.

Alexandra Park and Palace Advisory Committee - 10^th February 2009

With regard to minute No. APSC21 – Page 6 of the agenda pack the Chair informed the Committee that he would request an update on the progress of the “stock-taking” execise at the Palace (to find out how things were going and in which direction the palace was moving) and the Advisory Committee’s involvement in the away-day, where only Trustees had attended away-days until now.

Mr Aspden (Warner Estate Residents’ Association) highlighted that further to a meeting, the Advisory Committee normally received a table of resolutions including any responses or updates requested by Palace and Park officers in addition to the minutes of previous meetings.  The Chair would chase responses to any outstanding issues at the next Board meeting.

The Clerk would continue to provide a table of resolutions in future.

Alexandra Park and Palace Statutory Urgency Sub Committee - 21^st May 2009

A revised set of minutes was tabled.

The Chair explained that the meeting was held to consider an outline planning application for the Haringey Heartlands development. The Chair highlighted the two main issues raised by the Urgency Sub-Committee:  that the views would be adversely affected by the development and that the entrance to the Park from the development was through an unsatisfactory tunnel.

The Chair reported that since the Urgency Sub-Committee meeting he had written to the London Borough of Haringey Planning Department objecting to the fact that an outline planning application with no specific details was being considered and that due to the lack of detail in the application it was not possible to properly assess the impact that the development would have on the Park.  In response Planning Officers had asked the applicant to provide more information before the matter was submitted to the London Borough of Haringey’s (LB) Planning Committee for consideration.

The Urgency Sub-Committee had been unclear about whether the application being considered was an outline application for the whole development or simply an application regarding the access road into the Heartlands development.  Councillor Oatway reported that she had received confirmation that the application was in fact an outline planning application for the entire development.

The Chair invited the residents’ associations to make individual representations to the LB Planning Department.

Advisory Committee Members concurred with the view of the Urgency Sub-Committee; that the development would have a very bad impact on the Park and views from the Palace.

The Chair drew the Committee’s attention to Agenda Item 11 – Legal Advice Further to the Alexandra Park & Palace Statutory Advisory urgency Sub-Committee.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the Alexandra Park and Palace Advisory Committee held on 10^th February 2009, and the Alexandra Park and Palace Statutory Advisory Urgency Sub-Committee held on 21^st May 2009 be agreed as an accurate record of the proceedings and that the Chair urge the Alexandra Palace and Park Board (the Board) to consider all the views expressed by the Urgency Sub-Committee on on the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

Report of the Park Manager, Alexandra Palace, to update the Advisory Committee on events and works within the park.

Mr Mark Evison (Park Manager, Alexandra Palace) provided a brief introduction to the report which detailed the activities and projects that have recently taken place in the Park.  

Mr Evison advised that the Golf Course was popular and consideration was being given to developing the Pitch and Putt aspect with mini golf, and golf lessons.  The Park was visited by judges of the Green Flag Award in May 2009 and it was expected that the Park’s Green Flag Status would be maintained when the results were announced in July 2009. 

The Advisory Committee agreed that the survey on grounds maintenance recently sent to all members of the Board, Advisory Committee and Consultative Committee be included on the Palace’s website and emailed to all residents’ association representatives with a covering letter from Mr Evison.

RESOLVED

i.          That the report be noted.

ii.         That next year’s survey on grounds maintenance be put on the Palace’s website, and that the survey be forwarded to al Advisory Committee representatives by email.

Report of the Managing Director, Alexandra Palace Trading Limited, to advise the Advisory Committee on forthcoming events to the end of the financial year.

Ms Rebecca Kane (Managing Director of Alexandra Palace Trading Limited (APTL)) introduced the report which detailed forthcoming events at the Palace. The Palace was retaining events year on year as well as securing new events such as the Freestyle Festival in October 2009 with more than £1-million worth of confirmed events leading to March 2010. 

In response to concerns expressed by the Committee that the car park was not overly used during events Ms Kane explained that patrons used public transport to attend events at the Palace and that alcohol was on sale at such events, which might encourage people to leave their cars at home.

Mr Evison (Park Manager, Alexandra Palace) informed the Advisory Committee that the Bird Watching Walk attracted 60 people last year and would be advertised on the Palace’s website.  The Advisory Committee agreed that details of the Bird Watching Walk be sent to residents association representatives and more dates for bird watching be organised if demand required.

In response to questioning, the Advisory Committee was informed that no late night events were scheduled.

Ms Kane explained that the London Open House event on 19^th September 2009 was a day where the Palace Theatre and Studio would be open to promote activities which took place on site.

In response to questioning, the Advisory Committee was informed by Mr Evison that the Fungi Foray would entail an expert on fungus holding a borough-wide excursion to seek out local fungus.

RESOLVED

i.          That the report be noted.     

ii.         That details of the Bird Watching Walk be sent to residents association representatives and more dates for bird watching be organised if demand required.

Report of the Head of Operations and Events on a variation to increase capacity of Great Hall for live music/concert events

Ms Rebecca Kane (Managing Director of Alexandra Palace Trading Limited (APTL)), introduced the report which detailed APTL’s proposal to request a variation in the Premises Licence to enable the capacity for live music/concert events to be extended from 7,250 to 10,400. None of the events currently scheduled at Great Hall would be at maximum capacity.

The Advisory Committee expressed concerns that events could potentially disturb local residents until the early hours of the morning.  Ms Kane explained that all events would finish at 23:00hrs as detailed in the report.  Mr De’Ath, Acting head of Operations and Events, added that promoters often wanted to end events at 22.30hrs to enable visitors to get home before the close of public transport.

A double-decker shuttle bus was provided by the Palace when any concert was being held, regardless of size.  Palace staff would discuss with promoters of large events the possibility of providing additional buses.

In response to Committee Members’ concerns that noise from smokers outside the premises would disturb local residents, Mr De’Ath (Acting Head of Operations and Events -Alexandra Palace) explained that a designated area outside the Great Hall was provided and past experience showed that approximately 20-30 people used the area.

Mr De’Ath highlighted that visitors to the Ice Rink, which was open to the public until 23:00hrs and until 01:00hrs for ice-hockey club training, had an impact on the number of people allowed in to events at the Great Hall. If the Ice Rink was in a full capacity use for an event then use of the Great Hall would not be possible.

In response to the Advisory Committee’s concerns Mr De’Ath confirmed that risk assessments would be conducted before each event and would be based on information given by the promoters. An experienced security team worked at the Palace and safety measures were in place for such large events.

Committee Members were concerned that the Fire Main required repairs works and asked if this would need to be done prior to full capacity being in attendance at the Great Hall.  Mr Gill (Acting General Manager, Alexandra Park and Palace Charitable Trust) explained that the Fire Main was operational but did require long-term repair works.  There were contingency procedures in place if the Fire Main was ever not fully operational.

The Chair highlighted that the Statutory Advisory Committee’s remit was to consider the frequency of events.  He expressed the opinion that the Committee should be consulted about large events where more than 10,000 people would be expected and that advance notice should be given to residents.

Ms Kane explained that she did not expect there to be many more events than there currently was, five or six concerts were held per annum, which did not cause disruption to residents.  However, if the variation to the premises licence was granted APTL would be able to host events for bigger artists and generate more profit.   Prior consultation with residents could cause APTL to lose business as promoters expected to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

To consider the letter from Ian Harris, Alexandra Palace and Park Trust Solicitor, regarding the Urgency Sub-Committee on 21^st May 2009.

The Committee noted the letter from Iain Harris, Alexandra Palace and Park Trust Solicitor advising that the issues raised by the Statutory Advisory Urgency Sub-Committee held on 21^st May 2009 were not within the Advisory Committee’s remit.

The Chair stated that he had looked at the Alexandra Park and Palace Act 1985 and felt that it was appropriate for the Statutory Advisory Urgency Sub-Committee to ask the Board to consider the views expressed at the meeting on 21^st May 2009.

The Workshop Building

Mr Mark Evison (Park Manager, Alexandra Palace) introduced the tabled report which advised the Advisory Committee of a Planning Application for the Workshop Building in the Grove.  The proposed use for the building was a children’s soft play centre with ancillary café.

The Advisory Committee expressed the concerns of local residents who felt that the new soft play centre in the Workshop Building might negatively affect the business of the Grove Café and questioned whether refreshment sales were really necessary for a children’s play area. Mr Evison (Alexandra Park Manager) stated that the soft play centre would not be allowed to sell refreshments for take away. 

Mr Gill (Acting General Manager, Alexandra Palace) explained that, whilst it was not within the Advisory Committee’s remit to discuss the commercial aspects of the proposal, any commercial issues arising regarding the two businesses would be dealt with appropriately by Palace staff .

There was a general consensus was that the sale of refreshments was necessary for the soft play centre and that allowing adults into the centre only if they were with children was enforceable.   

RESOLVED

That the Alexandra Palace and Park Board be asked to note:

i.          That the business described itself as an “indoor adventure and soft play area with small café” when in fact it appeared to be a small indoor play area with café.

ii.         The Committee’s concerns that the boundaries for the site were unclear and concerns about how the play area would be extended to the outside area at a later stage.  In response Mr Evison explained that the lease included responsibility for existing fencing and boundaries.

iii.        The Chair also asked that the Board consider whether other tenants i.e. the long established businesses of the Park have been consulted on the application.

To note the dates of the meetings of the Advisory Committee for the remainder of the municipal year 2009/2010 as follow:

1^st September 2009

3^rd November 2009

9^th February 2010

30^th March 2010

The following dates of meetings of the Advisory Committee were noted:

1^st September 2009

3^rd November 2009

9^th February 2010

30^th March 2010