Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Martin Newton and Monica Myers (Muswell Hill and Fortis Green Association).

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 interest.

To advise the Committee of the tenant’s proposals for the existing Islands Building in the Grove, Alexandra Park.

The Advisory Committee received the report on the tenant’s proposals to improve the existing Islands Building in the Grove introduced by Amanda Reynolds, Chair of 345 Preschools Ltd.  The Committee noted that the proposals to improve the building would meet emerging Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) quality and curriculum requirements and would provide children with a more natural and sustainable, spacious environment.

In response to the Committee’s questions it was noted that 345 would need to close for 5 weeks for refurbishment, planning permission would need to be obtained,  and the works would allow up to 20 children at each session (morning and afternoon). If the proposals were not approved the current building would continue to be patched-up.

The Advisory Committee was unanimously in favour of the tenant’s proposals for the existing Islands Building in the Grove.

RESOLVED

i.     That the Board note the support for the proposals for the extension and refurbishment of the Islands Building.

ii.    That the Board and Planning Authority be urged to  approve  the proposals to enable works to commence as soon as possible to avoid the tenant a) losing the funding for the project, and b) having to operate through another period of adverse weather in the building with its current unsatisfactory state.

To receive the report advising of the progress made on governance and provide an opportunity for Statutory Advisory Committee members to comment.

The Advisory Committee received The Way Ahead – Governance Review and Vision report and noted an Open Day would be held on 22^nd May 2010 to provide members of the public with more information and a road-show was running to seek views on the future of Alexandra Palace, particularly from residents in the east of the borough. 

The Chair stressed the importance of having future trustees with the relevant skills to run the Palace and the ability to attract financial investment and Rebecca Kane, Managing Director – Alexandra Palace Trading Limited (APTL) recognised that any change to the governance of the Palace would address these concerns. 

The Committee emphasised the need for a solution to the dilapidations at the Palace and that commercial developers should be asked to make relevant parts of the building fit for purpose if they were to be leased.  Ms Kane highlighted that relevant people/businesses have expressed interests in the Palace (including wider comments that a hotel was needed on the site) but emphasised that a future vision for the entire site was principally required.

In response to questions about the different models of governance (Appendix 2 of the report) Ms Kane explained that it was an evolutionary process and that it was possible that a model could be adopted in the interim while working towards the ultimate solution.

RESOLVED

i.     The Advisory Committee welcomed the adoption of the NCVO Good Governance Code but  expressed serious  concern that the goals will not be achieved until  the following points  were addressed and the problems resolved:

ii.    The conflict of interest between the Councillors as members of the Board of Trustees and as members of the Council,

iii.   The Board of Trustees should have an appropriate and relevant skill set to run a building of this nature, and should operate independently of the Council.

iv.    Funding to repair the dilapidated state of the Palace  must be provided in the short term otherwise the steady decline could  be terminal

v.     The Committee welcomed the Board’s intention to have regard to examples of how similar projects were governed, such as the Eden Project.

vi  The Committee welcomed the appointment of two new non executive directors to the Board who appeared to have the requisite skill set.

To note the letter from the Chair of the Statutory Advisory Committee and supporting documents in relation to the Committee’s resolutions from its meeting on 10^th February 2010.

The Advisory Committee noted the letter from the Chair of the Alexandra Palace and Park Board of Trustees.

To advise the Committee of the Planning Application for the provision of a temporary ice rink on the site of the Pavilion within Alexandra Park.

The Advisory Committee received report on the planning application for the provision of a temporary ice rink and marquee structure for the period 8^th June – 16^th November 2010, introduced by Stephen Garner, Head of Events and Leisure (APTL).

In response to its questions the Committee noted that the temporary ice rink would be no higher than 6 metres (and located next to the fun-fair) and would not detract from any of the views of the Palace.  There will be a low level of noise from motors running the machinery which would be removed within 3 days of opening the new permanent ice rink.

RESOLVED

The Committee approved the application.