Agenda item

i)                    To approve the minutes of the meeting of the Advisory Committee held on  5 February & 18 March 2008  (attached).

                        ii)         To consider any matters arising from the Minutes.

                        iii)        To note the draft minutes of the meeting of the Alexandra Palace and Park Board held on 10 March 2008, and the special meetings held on 26 February, and 19 March 2008 , and the Consultative Committee of 12 February 2008.

Minutes of the meeting of the Advisory Committee – 5 February 2008 & 18 March 2008

                        RESOLVED 

That the minutes of the meetings Alexandra Park and Palace Advisory Committee held on 5 February 2008, and 18 March 2008 be confirmed as an accurate record of the proceedings

Matters arising – 5 February 2008

(i)                 Page 3 (ii) Cricket Club

In response to a query from Mr Aspden with regard to recent press reports that the club were being asked to pay a triple rent for the club in future and whether this was actually correct the General Manager – Mr Loudfoot advised the Committee that the current lease with the club, detailed the requirement for a 5 year rent review and that this had been agreed by the club when it entered into the lease arrangements some 10 years previous. The proposed rent level was based on the review and the findings of a surveyor’s report and as a result negotiations were now proceeding with the club.  In response to points of clarification Mr Loudfoot advised that the rent level was based on the principle of ‘Best rent reasonably obtainable’ and that the factors in determining this were in relation to the size of the site and its potential and current usage.  Mr Loudfoot also commented that the press reports had been grossly exaggerated and there was no intention to force out the Cricket Club and the Palace was only doing what was required within the lease that the Cricket Club itself had agreed and signed up to, and the reported speculation that the club were being deliberately forced out was complete and utter nonsense.  Mr Loudfoot also confirmed that the Alexandra Palace and Park Board would be considering the matter at its meeting on 22 July 2008.

Following a wide ranging discussion as to the usage of the cricket club and the issues of the new school development, and possible commercial usage, the Chair summarised and it was:

RESOLVED

That in respect of the Alexandra Park Cricket Club, the Board be asked to consider the following deliberations of the Advisory Committee:

i.          The Board notes the concerns of the Advisory Committee at rumours  circulating of the likely level of the increase of  the rent;

ii.         That the Board be urged to set a rent which was at a reasonable and affordable level, to ensure the continued existence and operation of the Cricket Club; and

iii.        That the Board consider agreeing a variation to the terms of the existing Lease to permit the possible subletting of the Cricket Club facilities to other (cricket) users, for example, during weekdays, to ensure it remains a viable entity.

ii)                  Page 9 – ANY OTHER BUSINESS – LICENCE – WORLD PROFESSIONAL DARTS CHAMPIONSHIPS

In a further wide ranging discussion regarding the World Professional Darts Championships Mr Frith referred to the issue of the Licence application which had not, and should have been brought to the Committee for consideration, which in his view was not acceptable. This view was shared and expressed by a number of those present. Following the Clerk clarifying that the Council’s legal view that it was not within the remit of the Advisory Committee the Committee asked that it be circulated with this comment and the Clerk undertook to circulate it.

Following clarification of the operation of the licence by Mr Loudfoot the Chair commented that this was not the only issue that the Advisory Committee had not been consulted on and that he felt that the Board needed to be reminded of this.  Following further discussion and comment the Chair felt it would be appropriate to include a resolution to the Board to this effect in the wider context of the lack of consultation in respect of other issues affecting the Palace during the past year, including the terms of the proposed Agreements with, and Lease to, Firoka, the matter of the licence agreement entered into with Firoka, and the granting of a track betting licence for the World Darts Championships.  The Chair also asked that the legal opinion given by the LB Haringey’s legal services be discussed at its next scheduled meeting in October 2008.

The Committee shared the comments expressed by the Chair.

iii)        Resolution of the Alexandra Park and Palace Advisory Committee - 5 February 2008

The Clerk gave a  brief explanation as to the reasons why the Board had yet to consider the resolution of the Advisory Committee of 5 February 2008, which were that the Board at its meetings on 26 February, 10 and 19 March 2008 had not felt able to give comment on the resolutions as the Board itself was unable to give a view at that time as to its position, other than that previously expressed, but it would give consideration to such resolutions when it was in a position to do so and respond accordingly.

The Committee expressed its considerable concern at the Board seemingly ignoring of the Advisory Committee’s resolutions.  The Chair proposed that the Committee consider this issue during discussion of Item 8 – Future of the Asset.

NOTED

MINUTES OF THE ALEXANDRA PALACE AND PARK BOARD – 26 FEBRUARY, 10 MARCH & 19 MARCH 2008

            NOTED

MINUTES OF THE ALEXANDRA PALACE AND PARK CONSULTATATIVE COMMITTEE  – 12 FEBRUARY2008

            NOTED