Agenda item

To consider the report of the Chief Executive, Alexandra Palace and Park.

Duncan Wilson – Chief Executive – introduced the report as set out in the agenda pack.

NOTED

·        Bates Wells and Braithwaite had been appointed as Trust Lawyers.  The appointment had been confirmed on 21 May 2012 and BWB would be asked to attend the next Board meeting on 24 July 2012.

·        The ticketed torch relay event at Alexandra Palace had sold out within 40 minutes.

·        The Red Bull event was an overall success.  There were some noise issues, but if a similar event were to take place again then these issues could be dealt with.  It was important to remember that the event took place between midday and 17.00 – so any noise disturbance would have occurred during this time.  Another event had also taken place on the same day in Priory Park nearby, so some complaints received regarding noise could have been due to the other event and not Red Bull. 

·        Due to the bad weather, it had not yet been possible to reseed the grass – this would happen in due course, and would be reseeded with the same acid-tolerant species already present in the park turf.

·        Councillor Cooke informed the Board that the event had been a success on social media sites.

·        The Diamond Jubilee picnic had taken place inside the Palace due to the bad weather.  Despite the weather, it was still a success.

·        The Romanian Cultural Olympiad event was no longer going ahead.

·        Duncan Wilson drew the Board’s attention to the Building Exploratory report which addressed the feasibility of the possibilities for a formal learning programme at Alexandra Palace.

·        A discussion followed on the Building Exploratory report, where the following points were raised:

-          the report presented a simple programme which could work well

-          there were some worries that not all areas of the Palace were incorporated, for example, there could be a stronger element of learning about television and transmission

-          the programme was aimed at Primary Schools, as it was easier to fit in with the National Curriculum.  As the programme developed it might be possible to include secondary schools where the information would be at a more technical level

RESOLVED

i)          That the appointment of new lawyers Bates Wells and Braithwaite had been appointed as Trust Lawyers be noted;

ii)         that the events programme for the next three months, in particular major concerts, the Olympic Torch relay and Holland Heineken House be noted;

iii)        that the publication of the findings of the independent security review of the November 2011 Lock and Load event be noted; and

iv)        that the appointment of a Learning Officer to organise a programme of mainly schools-based learning covering the Palace and Park on a one year contract, extendable by a further two years subject to successful grant applications be approved.