Agenda and draft minutes

The Clerk sought nominations for a chair for the meeting.  Gordon Hutchinson proposed Colin Marr and this was seconded by Jacob O’Callaghan and it was:

RESOLVED that Colin Marr act as Chair of the meeting.

COLIN MARR IN THE CHAIR

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Nigel Scott and Neil Williams, Liz Richardson (Palace View Residents’ Association) and Caroline Hayter (Alexandra Residents’ Association).

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

Cllr Jenks declared a personal interest as he was a member of the Warner Estate Residents’ Association (WERA).

Cllr Hare declared a personal interest as he was a member of the Alexandra Palace Allotments Association.

i.          To approve the minutes of the meeting of the informal Joint Statutory Advisory and Consultative Committee (SAC/CC) held on 8^th November 2011.

ii.         To note the minutes of the Advisory Committee held on 8^th November 2011.

iii.        To note the draft minutes of the meeting of the Alexandra Palace and Park Board held on 29^th November 2011 (TO FOLLOW).

i)          Joint Alexandra Park & Palace Advisory and Consultative Committees (SAC/CC)

The minutes of the Joint SAC/CC held on 8^th November 2011 were approved as a correct record.

ii)         Alexandra Park and Palace Statutory Advisory Committee

The draft minutes of the meeting of the Statutory Advisory Committee held on 8^th November 2011 were noted.

iii)        Alexandra Palace and Park Board

The draft minutes of the meeting of the Alexandra Palace and Park Board held on 29^th November 2011would be considered at the next meeting.

Matters arising

The Chair asked for clarification of one item related to the minutes of the Board meeting held on 18 October, which although tabled at the previous joint meeting had not been discussed. This was concerned with the final resolution of APBO147, Consideration of Outcome of LB Haringey Standards Committee Determination Hearing. While the matters to do with the Hearing itself had been resolved and were minuted, the final point had not -  this still required a response by the Chief Executive on behalf of the Board to three core questions related to matters outside the scope of the Hearing. These unanswered questions had arisen in the Joint SAC/CC meeting on 31 May 2011.

In the absence of a written response there were differences of view on how this matter should be treated – either the questions should still be answered, or since much time had already been devoted to related matters it was time to move on to concentrate on regeneration and the future of the Palace. It was agreed that it was important to conclude this business so that it could be put in the past. To this end it was agreed that the minutes of this meeting would be considered as a full and adequate response. The following section restates to the three core questions with the associated response from the Chief Executive:

Q 1. Do the trustees, and the council solicitors, consider the licence given to Firoka both valid and binding, or, ultra vires and not binding? If the latter, will the trustees challenge that the charity’s funds should indemnify those losses and order they be not charged to the charity’s funds as a debt?

Response: The Chief Executive confirmed the view that the licence given to Firoka was intra vires (i.e. the Trust’s decision making powers). This view is supported by the Board’s resolution of 24 April 2007 that the General Manager be authorised to begin the process of a phased transfer of the charity, staff and contracts to the Firoka Group. The General Manager subsequently signed a Licence in accordance with that resolution. Firoka was entitled to rely on the document. There is no suggestion in any of the Walklate reports that the licence was “ultra vires” for the Trust.

Q 2. Have the trustees taken independent legal advice as to whether the charity’s various legal advisers should have (a) checked the final version of the licence and warned the trustees accordingly; (b) monitored  ...  view the full minutes text for item 41.

To receive the report of the Park Manager, Alexandra Palace, updating on events and works within the park.

RECEIVED the Park Update as laid out on pages 11 - 15 of the agenda pack, introduced by Mark Evison, Park Manager, Alexandra Park.

There being no questions it was:

RESOLVED to note the report.

To receive the report of the Managing Director, Alexandra Palace Trading Limited (APTL) advising on forthcoming events to the end of the financial year.

Congratulations

The Chair of the Charitable Trust congratulated Rebecca Kane on her new appointment as General Manager of the O2 venue.  The Committees thanked Ms Kane for her incredible work at the Palace and wished her well in her new role.

RECEIVED the report on Forthcoming Events as laid out on pages 17 and 18 of the agenda pack, introduced by Rebecca Kane, Managing Director, Alexandra Palace Trading Limited (APTL). 

NOTED

·        The APTL sales team continued to work on both retaining existing business and obtaining new business and the focus on live music events was progressing. 

·        Marketing was also taking place through local trade associations and the distribution of “What’s On” flyers.

·        In response to a question it was reported that the Core Olympiad event had been removed from the events list as the organisers could no longer afford to hold the event.

·        Concerns were raised about the concert running from 8-10^th March 2012 in light of the incidents during the concert held on 24/25^th November 2011.  The Managing Director, APTL explained that this event was different in that it ended at 11pm and therefore would be easier to manage.  The Committees were informed that, in relation to the incidents at the event held on 24/25^th November 2011, the Police had confirmed within 12 hours of the event that APTL procedures had been robust.  APTL would continue to work with the responsible authorities to ensure proper procedures were in place.

·        In response to a question it was noted that there were currently no immediate plans for another Alexandra Palace Open Day due to the already busy events schedule.  However, the regeneration project included plans for restoration and access and this may increase the involvement of school’s visiting areas of the Palace. A good relationship continued with the BBC, who continued to use the Palace for filming.  It was reported that there were still no immediate plans for fireworks display at the Palace. Commercial sponsorships were being investigated but at present would not cover the £20k cost plus possible additional policing costs. 

RESOLVED to note the report.

To receive the report of the Head of Regeneration and Development, Alexandra Palace updating on the regeneration of Alexandra Palace.

RECEIVED the Regeneration Programme Update report, introduced by Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive, Alexandra Palace as laid out on pages 19 – 23 of the agenda pack.

NOTED

• A conservation architect, Donald Insall Associates, had been appointed.
• The Trust’s bid for funding from English Heritage had been successful and therefore met 80% of the cost of developing the Conservation Management Plan (CMP) (also called Heritage Management Plan (HMP). The Trust was still waiting for a decision on its bid to English Heritage for funding towards the repair and maintenance of the south terrace and the defective roof above the ice rink foyer.
• Heritage Lottery Funding had encouraged the Trust to apply for funding in its major grants round in November. Funds obtained could go towards repairs to the TV Studios.
• The appointment of a spatial master-planner was being considered to assist with developing the Palace and all its areas as a venue and working with partners.  Plans would be publicly consulted on around June 2012.
• Committee Members congratulated the Chief Executive and the Head of Regeneration on the positive regeneration plans, and the Managing Director of Alexandra Palace Trading Company for the Trading Company’s success.  
• Asked if there was an alternative plan in place the Chief Executive, Alexandra Palace explained that in addition to the bids for funding the Trust was working to generate income, for Palace repairs and maintenance, through commercial partnerships, although the Heritage Lottery Fund would be the main donor.
• The Chief Executive, Alexandra Palace committed to continuing the dialogue with Friends of Alexandra Palace Theatre about the group’s vision.  The CMP would include a study of the Theatre and would also focus on bringing visitors to the Park and Palace as well as preserving its historical aspects.

RESOLVED to note the report.

None.

None.

None.

The next meeting of the Joint SAC/CC will be held on Tuesday 6^th March 2012.

3^rd April 2012 (provisional)

Item 13 is likely to be subject of a motion to exclude the press and public from the meeting as it contains exempt information as defined in Section 100a of the Local Government Act 1972; Paragraph 3 - information relating to the business or financial affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

RESOLVED that the press and public be excluded from the meeting in for the consideration of agenda item 13 (minute number 50) as it contains exempt information as defined in Section 100a of the Local Government Act 1972;  Para 3 - information relating to the business or financial affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

To consider the report of the Chief Executive, Alexandra Park and Palace Charitable Trust.

Recommendations approved.