Agenda and minutes

Colin Marr nominated Gordon Hutchinson as Chair of the meeting.  This was seconded by Cllr Cooke.

RESOLVED that Gordon Hutchinson chair the meeting.

GORDON HUTCHINSON IN THE CHAIR

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Demirci, Cllr Stewart, David Liebeck, John Thompson and Nigel Willmott.  Cllr Hare gave apologies on behalf of the Alexandra Palace Allotments Association as a representative had yet to be nominated for the committee.

An apology for lateness was received from Caroline Hayter.

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 Joint SAC/CC held on 13^th September 2011.

ii.         To note the minutes of the Advisory Committee held on 13^th September 2011.

iii.        To note the draft minutes of the meeting of the Alexandra Palace and Park Board held on 18^th October 2011 (to follow).

a.         Informal Joint meeting of the Alexandra Park and Palace Statutory Advisory and Consultative Committees

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Informal Joint meeting of the Statutory Advisory and Consultative Committees (Joint SAC/CC) held on 13^th September 2011 be approved as a correct record of the proceedings.

b.         Alexandra Park and Palace Statutory Advisory Committee

The minutes of the Statutory Advisory Committee held on 13^th September 201 were noted.

c.         Alexandra Palace and Park Board

The minutes of the Board meeting held on 18^th October 2011 were noted.

Minute APBO139 – Update on Car Park Charging Policy – In response to concerns raised the Chief Executive, Alexandra Palace, recognised that any charging policy would impact local residents and agreed that it was important to consult with them.

Minute APBO140 – Regeneration - It was agreed that an item on regeneration would be included on all future Joint SAC/C meeting agendas.

Further to a local resident’s proposal to seek UNESCO World Heritage Site Recognition for the South East Wing of Alexandra Palace, Sue Cole, Senior International Adviser, English Heritage National Advice Team, will attend to discuss what such a proposal would entail.

In response to the proposals submitted by local resident, Mr Clive Carter (pages 15 – 21 of the agenda pack), the committees received a presentation by Sue Cole, English Heritage, on the process of becoming a World Heritage Site (WHS).

NOTED

• Sites had to demonstrate Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) and the process of gaining recognition could take up to five years and cost on average £500,000 and often involved local groups.

• WHS recognition did not result in any additional funding and sites had to commit to protection and conservation in detailed management plans.

• The next review of the tentative list of World Heritage Sites would take place between 2021 and 2023 and sites were required to provide a dossier and fulfil a list of criteria (which would be circulated to Committee Members) before being considered; evaluation alone could take up to 2 years.

ACTION: SUE COLE/ CLERK

• The general consensus was in support of the proposals as part of a long term future strategy for the Palace and Park.  A number of Committee Members emphasised the need to focus resources on repairing the Palace building. 

• The Chair of Trustees, Cllr Cooke, supported the proposals as a way forward in the future and stated that he would be happy to take the item to a future Board meeting for consideration. He repeated comments that plans for WHS recognition must not detract from current regeneration priorities.

• The Chief Executive, Alexandra Palace, suggested that WHS recognition be considered once comprehensive conservation and management plans for the Palace and Park had been created as part of the regeneration project.

The Chair moved the motion proposed by Jacob O’Callaghan to ask the Charitable Trust to maintain the aspiration for World Heritage Site Recognition  and a vote was taken: 16 for and 9 against, and it was:

RESOLVED that the proposal for World Heritage Site recognition be supported in principle and that the Board be asked to incorporate this into the Trust’s long term regeneration strategy and a feasibility analysis be conducted to identify strengths, weaknesses and resources needed.

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

RECEIVED the Park Activities Update report introduced by Mark Evison, Alexandra Park Manager, as laid out in pages 23 – 26 of the agenda pack.

Paragraph 6 – Park Management Plan – it was requested that, rather than seeking comments on the Management Plan in general, the Park Manager provide specific questions to be put to the groups and associations.

The report was NOTED.

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

RECEIVED the report updating on Forthcoming Events at Alexandra Palace, introduced by Rebecca Kane, Managing Director Alexandra Palace Trading Company (APTL) as laid out in pages 27 – 28 of the agenda pack.

• The Committees were informed about a potential event in the Park in May 2012, which would involve temporary structures and a road closure.  APTL staff were considering how the event could also involve the Palace building and what kind of legacy could be secured after the event.  The event would need Board approval.

• In addition to thanks expressed by the Managing Director APTL, the Chair passed on thanks sent by John Thompson of the Alexandra Palace Television Group to all those involved in the TV75 event.  Some members expressed that it had been a huge success.  There had been a lot of interest from people who were unable to obtain tickets who would be contacted about future events in the TV Studio.

• It was noted that the Silent Movie event on 21^st November 2011 fell on the same night as Haringey’s Full Council meeting and that further dates for Silent Movies were likely to be confirmed for February and April 2012.

The report was NOTED.

Clerk’s Note: 20:50 hrs Caroline Hayter arrived.

To consider the report of the Facilities Manager, Alexandra Palace and Park Charitable Trust on the external fabric condition of Alexandra Palace.

RECEIVED the report on the External Fabric Condition of Alexandra Palace, introduced by the Chief Executive, Alexandra Palace, as laid out in pages 29 – 43 of the agenda pack.

• Proposals to install netting to the South Terrace of the building where further falls of masonry had taken place (paragraph 6.5) were no longer going ahead as more permanent repairs were being considered.  A planning proposals for listed building consent was being progressed which included consent for the temporary netting to south terrace, temporary chain link fencing by the theatre foyer, temporary roof coverings by ice rink foyer entrance and temporary canopy tunnels adjacent to fire exits in the vicinity of theatre foyer.  The part of the application relating to the netting was likely to be withdrawn.  

• A Conservation Architect and a fixed term contractor would be recruited in addition to one or two craftsman who would be on site permanently for the purpose of conducting repairs.   The Alexandra Palace Conservation Area Advisory Committee had raised objections to aspects of the planning proposals and suggested the proposals were not implemented until a Conservation Architect had been recruited and could advise on the proposals.

• Statutory Advisory Committee members highlighted that the Committee should be consulted on all planning proposals relating to the Park and Palace.

• In response to questions the Chief Executive explained that the repairs work would impact the views and entrance of the Palace, for example scaffolding erected in the South Terrace area in early 2012 but this would not create any access issues during the Olympic Games period.

• It was reported that Friends of the Alexandra Palace Theatre had offered to meet half of the costs of providing heating in the Theatre Foyer area and the Facilities Manager was organising this.

• In response to concerns raised the Chief Executive stated that discussions were being held with English Heritage about the Trust’s funding bid and if agreed repairs to stop the roof leaking would be a priority.

The Chair summarised that the Committees were encouraged to hear about the longer term strategy for the maintenance and repairs to the Palace building and the report was NOTED.

To receive a verbal update on governance (if any).

The Chief Executive, Alexandra Palace, reported that he would be proposing a more rational approach to the frequency of meetings so that Alexandra Palace and Park Board meetings were spaced out evenly during the year and resources were applied effectively to ensure consultation but also reduce duplication.

The committees noted the report provided by Nigel Willmott.

No requests received.

None.

Cllr Williams reminded the Chief Executive that a redacted version of the minutes of the exempt item APBO 147 considered by the Board on 18^th October 2011 was expected.  The Committees were also advised that the reports were in the process of being made available publicly.

Tuesday 10^th January 2012

Tuesday 6^th March 2012

The following dates were noted:

Tuesday 10^th January 2012

Tuesday 6^th March 2012

The meeting ended at 21:15 hrs.