Minutes:
Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors Demirci and Patel, due to their attendance at a rescheduled LB Haringey Planning Committee (rescheduled from 2 February 2009 due to inclement weather), form Councillor Whyte due to attendance at a meeting of Homes for Haringey, and also from Councillor Beynon due to being unwell.
NOTED
At this point in the proceedings prior to the consideration of minutes, the Chair welcomed Councillor Pat Egan – Chair of the Alexandra Palace and Park Board to the meeting and asked that Councillor Egan give his view of the current position regarding Alexandra Palace and Park.
Councillor Egan thanked the Committee for the opportunity to give an address in respect of the current position at the palace. Councillor Egan advised that following Councillor Cooke’s relinquishing the role of Chair of the Board – having been appointed as Cabinet Member for Community Cohesion and Involvement, he had taken the position as Chair, with Councillor Dogus taking the position of Vice-Chair.
Since taking on the position, Councillor Egan advised that he had commenced a series of individual meetings with members of the Alexandra Palace and Park Consultative Committee to glean views as to how people saw the future of the Palace, which had been very successful and informative. It was now intended to cascade the individual meetings to the Advisory Committee representatives, and attendees. Councillor Egan, in commenting at the chequered history of the Palace, stated categorically that the process of talking with individuals was part of a stock taking exercise, of where things were at, and where people saw the future direction of the Palace. As previously expressed by Councillor Cooke, Councillor Egan advised that no future proposal or idea was being ruled in or out, and that the future was a blank canvass with no particular vision, and it was hoped that a shared vision/concept would emerge.
Councillor Egan also advised that in terms of the Advisory Committee’s comments in respect of involvement in the away day there had been one away day thus far where only Trustees had been in attendance – and this had been a positive exercise. Counci8llor Egan commented that he had always adored the Park, which for him was as of much importance as the Palace and that any future palace development must ensure that the Park was kept to the level of maintenance and upkeep. Councillor Egan commented that thus far, as Chair, the process had been a steep and tremendous learning curve for him, and that in speaking to individual representatives a considerable feeling of passion had radiated from such discussions, for the Palace and the Park.
The Chair, in thanking Councillor Egan for his brief address, asked if there were any particular questions from the Advisory Committee, and he himself sought clarification as to whether there was a time-line in terms of deliberations and an emerging vision. In response, Councillor Egan advised that there were no timelines and that the current time the focus was on discussions in relation to how and what people felt about the future of the Palace and Park.
The Chair commented that there was to a certain degree a sense of urgency in terms of the fabric of the building and that there was a keenness to see those parts of the building currently not in use, brought into use, and those parts currently in use being put to better use.
Ms Hutchinson commented that she welcomed the opportunity to take part in individual discussions, and also, if offered, the opportunity to attend and participate in a workshop/away day event. The Chair, in sharing the expressed sentiments commented that it would also be a positive step forward to meet as one body – being the Board, the Consultative Committee and this body to give and hear views and have a sharing/brainstorm session, in late Spring, as well as individual discussions with representatives.
In response to clarification as to what would then happen following the individual discussions etc the General Manager – Mr Loudfoot advised that any outline strategy of proposed way forward would be discussed by the Board, and indeed this body.
The Chair thanked Councillor Egan for his brief update to the Committee, and advised Councillor Egan that he was more than welcome to remain and observe the proceedings.
NOTED
The Chair advised the Committee that the Managing Director of Alexandra Palace Trading Limited (APTL) – Ms Rebecca Kane was in attendance at the meeting, and in welcoming Ms Kane, thought that the Committee would appreciate a few comments from her in terms of APTL.
Ms Kane thanked the Chair for the opportunity of addressing the Committee, and in advising that she had been in post now for 2 months, gave a brief outline of her career to date, have been at English Heritage for 10 years and for the 5 years as Director for London. Ms Kane outlined the eclectic mix of responsibilities as Director for London including the management of Eltham Palace, and also Darwin House.
Ms Kane commented that she was getting to know the Palace and its aspects, which in her view were varied and fascinating, together with the business side of APTL which was also her responsibility. Ms Kane thanked the Committee for the opportunity to attend and meet with them, and that the ‘forthcoming events’ report would in future be prepared by herself in conjunction her events manager Paul Braybrook., who was also present.
The Chair asked, and Mr Baybrook gave a brief outline of his role as manager of events organisation at the Palace and also his background in media/broadcasting.
The Chair thanked both Ms Kane and Mr Braybrook.