Agenda and draft minutes

The Clerk sought nominations for a chair for the meeting.  Dennis Heathcote proposed Colin Marr and this was seconded by Colin Richell 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 Demirci, Erskine, Gibson and Stewart, Caroline Hayter (Alexandra Residents’ Association), David Liebeck (Warner Estate Residents’ Association), John Thompson (Alexandra Palace Television Group) and Roger Tucker (Alexandra Palace Organ Appeal).

Apologies for lateness were received from Nigel Willmott (Friends of the Alexandra Palace Theatre).

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 informal meeting of the Joint Advisory and Consultative Committee held on 10^th January 2012.

ii.         To note the minutes of the Advisory Committee held on 10^th January 2012.

iii.        To note the draft minutes of the meeting of the Alexandra Palace and Park Board held on 16 February 2012 (If available).

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

            The minutes of the Joint SAC/CC held on 10 January 2012 be approved as a correct record.

            Matters Arising

            APSC43, Forthcoming Events – The 5^th bullet point referred to costs of £20k, this should read £120k.

            APSC41, Alexandra Palace and Park Board minutes – an update was requested on whether regular reviews of the Trust’s legal advisers would be carried out.  The Chief Executive advised that the Trust was in the process of procuring a new set of advisers and it was hoped that a new appointment would be on place before the Board in July.  The Board meeting in July would be the first opportunity for review of any outstanding concerns about the possibility of taking independent legal advice over the validity of the Firoka licence and any liability that might have arisen.

ii)         Alexandra Park & Palace Statutory Advisory Committee

            The minutes of the Statutory Advisory Committee meeting held on 10 January 2012 were noted.

iii)        The draft minutes of the Alexandra Palace & Park Board meeting held on 16 February 2012 were not yet available for noting.        

To consider proposals by LB Haringey’s Building Schools for the Future team for drainage for drainage systems in the cricket club grounds.

RECEIVED the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) Proposals for the Cricket Club report, introduced by Sam Davidson – Project Manager, BSF, LB Haringey – as detailed on pages 11 – 21 of the agenda pack.

NOTED

·        The 1^st phase had not yet been started, as additional items needed to be agreed by the Board – a new water irrigation system including storage tank and pump; and connection to mains sewer system by installation of pipe work across Newland Field, to enable much improved foul drainage.

·        Planning permission would be required for the installation of the storage tank.

·        Concerns were raised that the irrigation issue should have been addressed at an earlier stage and that this was bad planning.  Sam Davidson explained that it had initially seemed that the pitches were only affected by water logging in winter.  However the dry spell in March / April 2011 had shown that the areas would also require irrigation.

·        In response to a question it was noted that if trees needed to be felled then an inspection for bats would be carried out.  Concerns were expressed about any removal of trees “on the eastern side of the old racetrack”, which are important for screening of the park boundary and assurances were sought about prior consultation should this be necessary.

·        Concerns were raised that the storage tank would not be concealed sufficiently and that further options needed to be looked at (such as better screening or storage below ground) and brought back to a future meeting before any decisions would be made.

·        The Chief Executive suggested that a compromise could be reached if a scheme to ‘tidy up’ the general area was carried out along with attempts to screen the tank.  He suggested the large containers could be consolidated and any fly-tipping removed.

NOTED the Committee’s request that further options be explored with regards to the installation of the storage tank for the irrigation system before a decision would be made.

RESOLVED to note the report and request the Chief Executive’s suggestions be considered before the project is presented to the Board.

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

RECEIVED the Park Activities Update as detailed on pages 23 – 25 of the agenda pack, introduced by Mark Evison – Park Manager, Alexandra Park.

NOTED

·        The ongoing maintenance works as set out on page 24 of the agenda pack.

·        In response to a question, the Chief Executive explained that there was not yet a target completion date for the street lighting project, as the surveys had not yet been finished.  The cost of repairing a light could range from £100 to £8,000, depending on the defect and so further discussions needed to take place once the extent of problems was known.  However, simple repairs were being undertaken as the survey progressed.

RESOLVED to note the report.

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

RECEIVED the report on Forthcoming Events as detailed on pages 27 – 30 of the agenda pack, introduced by Rebecca Kane – Managing Director, Alexandra Palace Trading Limited (APTL).

NOTED

·        The report provided a snapshot of events due to take place over the coming year.

·        Arrangements for the Red Bull event were progressing well.  Both the APTL and APPB Boards had agreed to contract with Red Bull.  Councillor Cooke added that feedback had been sought from previous venues where Red Bull had held events and that all references had been positive.  Red Bull had also been probed with regards to restrictions on Park access and how they could be reduced.  The Board were impressed with the level of detail provided, for example, there would be no digging; surfaces would be protected with imported dirt to keep the surface intact; and the imported soil would be at the same pH level as the existing soil.

·        Publicity was due to start imminently – a trailer was due to be filmed inside the Palace, which would be shown on the Alexandra Palace website, Facebook, Twitter and the Red Bull channel.

·        The PA system would only be used during the event, not out of hours and the speakers would be directed up-hill towards the Palace – this  should stop the noise from travelling to neighbouring areas.  The event would run from 11am to 5pm.

·        Tickets would cost around £10/12 and APTL were aiming to procure a proportion of tickets to be available as a priority for local residents.

·        In response to a question, it was noted that there were limitations on the type of music events held at the Palace due to the cost of renting fixed seating.  It may be that fixed seating would be installed as part of a theatre in the future, and that would expand the range of events provided.

·        In response to a question, the Chief Executive confirmed that it was unlikely there would be a fireworks display this year due to costs, however it may be an option in the long term.  Rebecca Kane added that sponsorship this year was not a viable option due to the pressures on sponsors from the Olympics.  It may be easier to get sponsorship in coming years.

·        Holland Heineken House was booked from 13 July – 19 August and details were available on the Alexandra Palace website.  This was a big opportunity to showcase the Palace at its best.

·        Heineken were committed to involving the local community and a daily ‘newspaper’ would be produced to show which events would be taking place.

·        In response to a question, it was explained that there would be a ‘soft opening’ on 26 July, 6,000 tickets would be available each day – which was relatively low compared with our capacity of 10,000.  The build period would start on 12 July, but this would be mainly inside.  There was nothing planned for the park itself.  The hall would only be used in the evenings, and music  ...  view the full minutes text for item 57.

Report of the Chief Executive – Alexandra Palace

RECEIVED the report on the Regeneration Programme Update as detailed on pages 31 - 44 of the agenda pack, introduced by Duncan Wilson – Chief Executive, Alexandra Park and Palace.  Francis Maude – Donald Insall Associates – was introduced and later spoke to the Executive Summary as laid out on pages 37 – 41 of the agenda pack.

NOTED

·        Terry Farrell & Partners (TF&P) had been appointed to undertake the strategic special master planning work at the Palace.  This would form the basis of a public consultation in May.  It was suggested that an informal SAC/CC would be held on 2 April to engage before the consultation.  Public consultation would start on 18 May, subject to approval from the Board.

·        The Trust were looking into ways of borrowing funds, initially approaching the Local Authority.  The alternative of private borrowing would be explored, although this might require part of the Palace to be leased.

·        The Chief Executive encouraged Committee members to publicise the consultation in their relevant organisations so that a wide range of people could take part.

·        The full copy of the Draft Conservation Management Planwould be made available for Committee members following the meeting.

·        The main purpose of the Plan was to summarise the existing state of knowledge and draw out the main strands of the historical development of the building.

·        This could be discussed in more detail at the proposed informal meeting on 2 April.

RESOLVED to note the report.

Report of the Chief Executive – Alexandra Palace

RECEIVED the report on the Regeneration Programme Update as laid out on pages 45 – 46 of the agenda pack, introduced by Duncan Wilson – Chief Executive, Alexandra Park and Palace.

NOTED

·        The Trust had been successful in the award of the English Heritage grant funding.

·        The main body of work was to the South West corner of the terrace, although it was not intended to carry out the work before the Olympics.

·        Further information would be provided in due course.

The CBC application was noted without objection.

RESOLVED to note the report.

NOTED the paper circulated by Nigel Willmott on the AP Board meeting of 16 February.

None

Items raised by interested groups

None

Tuesday 31^st May 2011

Monday 28 May 2012.