Agenda and minutes

In the absence of the Chair, Colin Marr, the clerk called for nominations for Chair for this meeting.

Denis Heathcote nominated Gordon Hutchinson, which was unanimously seconded by the Committee and it was

RESOLVED that Gordon Hutchinson act as Chair of the meeting.

Gordon Hutchinson in the Chair

Apologies for absence were received from Liz Richardson, Councillor Beacham, Councillor Gorrie, Councillor Dogus, Colin Marr, Prof. R Hudson and Councillor Peacock.

Apologies for lateness were received from Councillor Hare.

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

Councillor Jenks declared a personal interest as he was a member of the Warner Estate Residents’ Association.

John Thompson declared a personal interest in respect of item 5, as he had been commissioned to carry out some works in support of the Heritage Lottery Fund bid.

i.          To receive and approve the minutes of the meeting of the Joint Informal meeting of the Alexandra Park and Palace Advisory Committee and the Alexandra Palace and Park Consultative Committee held on 17 July 2012.

ii.         To receive and note the minutes of the Advisory Committee held on 17 July 2012.

iii)        To receive and note the minutes of the meeting of the Alexandra Palace and Park Board held on 7 June 2012.

RESOLVED

i)          To approve the minutes of the Joint Informal meeting of the Alexandra Palace and Park Advisory Committee and the Alexandra Palace and Park Consultative Committee held on 17 July 2012.

ii)         To note the minutes of the Advisory Committee held on 17 July 2012.

iii)        To note the minutes of the Alexandra Palace and Park Board held on 7 June 2012.

Matters Arising

Red Bull

David Frith asked whether Red Bull had made any approach with regards to holding another event in the Park.  Duncan Wilson informed the Committee that there had been no approach made by Red Bull.

Alexandra Palace and Park Board notes

The Committee requested that the draft notes of the APPB be made available within the agenda pack for the Joint Informal meeting of the Statutory Advisory Committee and the Consultative Committee, instead of waiting for an approved set of minutes, as the time between meetings meant that the SAC/CC did not receive up to date minutes.  The Clerk advised the Committee that it was not usual practice to publish draft notes within an agenda pack for another Committee before they had been approved.  Following a discussion, it was agreed that draft APPB minutes would be published with the SAC/CC agenda pack, with the understanding that these had yet to be approved by the APPB, and could be subject to amendments.

RESOLVED that the draft notes of APPB minutes would be included in future agenda packs for the SAC/CC.

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

Received the Park Activities Update as set out in the agenda papers, introduced by Mark Evison – Park Manager, Alexandra Palace.

NOTED

Improvements to Cricket Grounds

·        Heartlands School had withdrawn from the scheme as due to delays with the scheme, they had since found an alternative solution.

·        The Council would still be investing in the scheme, with sports development funding and topped up by s106 funding.

·        The planning application was due to be determined imminently, with a mobilisation meeting due to be held in the coming week to discuss the project plan.

Funding for the south-eastern corner of the Park

·        The Council had allocated £220k of s106 funding to improve the access around the Campsbourne and New River Village areas.  Proposals would be presented to the Alexandra Palace and Park Board (APPB) meeting on 6 November 2012.

·        A member of the Committee suggested that this could be a useful opportunity to involve local schools, possibly with planting.  

Park entrances – overnight gate closures

·        It was agreed at the APPB meeting on 24 July 2012 that a one-year trial period of gate closure at the Park Avenue North Gate and Muswell Hill pedestrian entrance would begin, subject to advice from the Advisory and Consultative Committees.

·        The Committee were in support of the trial, but raised the following points:

-          gates would not stop those who were determined to get into the park

-          visitors to late night concerts at the park were an issue – there needed to be clear signage that these gates would be closed

·        Duncan Wilson responded to the issues raised and explained that the gates would act as a deterrent rather than a prevention.  He added that there were no concerts due to finish beyond 11pm in November, but that he would ensure that clear signs would displayed on the park notice boards with details of the closures.

The Actual Workshop – Little Dinosaurs

·        The tenant at the Actual Workshop had made a request to adjust a short section of the exterior to expand the internal ‘baby area’.  This proposal would be presented for approval at the APPB meeting on 6 November 2012.

·        Mark Evison agreed to double-check whether planning permission was required for the proposal.

RESOLVED

i)          To note the imminent commencement of the works at the cricket ground.

ii)         To support the proposals for improvement to the south-eastern corner of the Park.

iii)        To note the proposal for overnight gate closures.

iv)        To note the proposal to adjust a short section of the exterior wall of the Actual Workshop building.

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

.

RECEIVED the Forthcoming Events report, as set out in the agenda papers and introduced by Duncan Wilson – Chief Executive, Alexandra Palace.

NOTED

·        There were a number of highlights for the last quarter – Torch Relay, Holland Heineken House and Sacrilege.

·        There was a full programme planned for the forthcoming months.

·        The Olympics had seen a number of event spaces created elsewhere in London, and the market was dynamic, which in turn would create more competition for the Palace in the future.

·        The ‘London Open House’ in September proved popular, with 800 visitors to the Transmitter Hall, BBC Studio A and Theatre.  Feedback was positive.  Duncan Wilson thanked John Thompson and the Friends of the Theatre for facilitating the tours.

RESOLVED to note the report.

To receive the report of the Chief Executive, Alexandra Palace, on progress of the Regeneration project, including detail of the bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund for the refurbishment and opening of the Theatre and BBC Studio A.

RECEIVED the Regeneration report as set out in the agenda papers, and introduced by Duncan Wilson – Chief Executive, Alexandra Palace.

NOTED:

·        The main purpose of the report was to ask for written endorsement of the HLF bid from the Chairs of the Statutory Advisory Committee and the Consultative Committee.

·        Slides were shown of the proposed hotel development – Farrells had produced outline designs to show developers what would be possible within the confines of the existing building.

·        The HLF bid was a clearly defined process, and the £16.5m bid was a challenge.  Match-funding of £6.7m would have to be raised, and would require a significant contribution from the Local Authority.  HLF would look to the Local Authority to be supportive of the bid.

·        The scope of the scheme had varied – the focus was on the East Court, the theatre, Studios A & B, and the connecting rooms, but not the Transmitter Hall.

·        The East Court would be used to tell the story of Alexandra Palace through pictures and models.  This would lead to the refurbished studios.  It was not intended to create a permanently manned museum, but regular guided tours would be provided.

·        The appearance of the SE wing façade facing the Park would be improved by removing the unsightly blocking put there by the BBC.

·        The proposals represent the minimum spend to restore the two areas into a usable, viable space.

RESOLVED

i)          To note the content of the report and to endorse the Trust’s bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund.

ii)         That the Chairmen of both the Statutory Advisory and Consultative Committees shall write to the HLF in support of the bid.

None.

None.

There was no such business.

Tuesday 15 January 2013.

NOTED the date of the next meeting – Tuesday 15 January 2013.