Agenda item

To receive the report of the Chief Executive, Alexandra Palace, detailing:

·        The regeneration programme and the successful HLF bid.

·        The events calendar.

·        Progress with the fabric repair programme.

·        Views on the impact of the possible introduction of a local Controlled Parking Zone on free parking on free parking on Alexandra Palace Way.

The Chair prefaced this item by welcoming the HLF announcement that they were supporting the development of the Trust’s £16.8m lottery funding application by granting £844,800 in funding for the design phase, and it was anticipated that this would lead to success at the next stage of funding. The Board acknowledged the huge amount of work that Duncan Wilson and his team had carried out to achieve this, and expressed its thanks and congratulations to them and everyone who had supported this process both at Alexandra Palace and the Council. Duncan Wilson recognised in particular the contributions of Anne Kaiser, Louise Johnson, Melissa Tettey, Isobel Aptaker and Kerri Farnsworth within the team effort.

Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive, introduced the report as set out:

HLF Major Heritage Grant Application

·        Development of the second phase of the application would be a lengthy process; procurement requirements meant that it would be around 6 months before a design team was appointed, and then a further year for development of the proposals to be completed. It was hoped that stage 2 would be submitted by October 2014, although the deadline for submission was 2 years from the granting of stage 1 funding, namely April 2015.

·        The approval of the round 1 application was recognised as a significant moment for the Palace. It was noted that the development of the Palace as a learning asset was an important factor of the application, and that cultural partnerships would be key.

·        It was noted that the announcement provided a compelling boost for the wider regeneration programme at the Palace, and should be capitalised on.

·        In response to a question regarding the difference between the funding sought from the HLF and the total project cost, it was reported that it was hoped that some of the shortfall would met by funding from external organisations such as charitable trusts, foundations or bodies such as the GLA and Arts Council.

HLF “Remembering the First World War” Grant Application

·        In response to a question from the Board regarding whether the recent successful stage 1 application for HLF funding may affect the chances of this smaller application being successful, it was felt that a decision would be made on the strength of the project.

·        While the funding stream being applied for in this application related to the WW1 anniversary specifically, it was noted that the Palace was home to a number of technological developments associated with WW2.

Property advice

·        It was reported that Knight Frank had begun soft market testing, an evaluation of which would be brought to the next scheduled meeting of the Board.

·        In response to a question regarding the assessment of the market testing, it was reported that Knight Frank were speaking with 20 suggested organisations initially, and would form a judgement based on the outcome of these discussions. In the event that there was some firm interest, it would then be possible to test the market on a more confident basis.

Strategic workshop – 14 May 2013

·        The discussions held at the workshop had reached a position whereby if it were felt that development was likely to be forthcoming, it would be worth holding out for hotel operators at the higher end of the market, although any decision would be made within the context of professional advice and on the basis of the results of market testing.

·        It was hoped that the right type of hotel at the site would help to make Alexandra Palace a destination in its own right, even when no major events were taking place, and that this should be a long term aspiration.

Recruitment

·        The Board welcomed Kerri Farnsworth, newly-appointed Director of Regeneration and Property.

Masterplanning

·        Work was taking place to draw up details proposals for areas that had so far not been covered in detail as part of the regeneration strategy, for example the South East wing pavilions and basement. The draft proposals would then be put out for discussion with stakeholders.

·        The Board asked whether the masterplanning process would cover unused corridors; it was reported that these had been covered quite well in the previous plans and that the current work would focus largely on those areas not yet covered in detail. There was likely to be a sharpening up some aspects of previous proposals.

Regeneration, Procurement and Governance

·        The Board agreed the significance of ensuring that the best design team was appointed, and it was noted that making the scope as detailed as possible was important, as well as monitoring the process closely.

Forthcoming events calendar

·        It was reported that the bookings position was currently relatively strong, and that there had been a number of promising enquiries recently, across a wide range of sectors. It was recognised, however, that there was a risk of losing some longstanding clients, as other venues became increasingly competitive.

·        In response to a question regarding the possibility of relocating the Farmers’ Market to the Terrace, it was reported that there were outstanding logistical issues to be resolved, as it would not be possible for the market to be on the terrace when the Great Hall was in use, and the market was not keen to keep changing location. Work on a solution to this was ongoing. In response to a query as to whether the former pavilion site was a possible location for the market, it was reported that this was occasionally required for overflow parking, and was also felt by the market organisers to be a slightly inconvenient location. It was felt that some analysis should be undertaken as to where customers of the market were travelling from; if many were arriving on foot from nearby streets, relocating the market to the top of the hill would make it much harder to access.

Fabric Repair Programme and on-going repair and maintenance requirements

·        The Board asked about the appointment of an experienced conservation architect / building surveyor, and whether this would be the same individual providing the heritage input into the HLF project. It was confirmed that they would have some input into the HLF project, but would have a wider remit in developing a 10-year fabric maintenance plan to support the investment work being undertaken by Knight Frank, and managing a work programme for fabric repairs within the maintenance budget. It was noted that there would be a separate heritage architect working within the HLF programme.

Possible introduction of a local Controlled Parking Zone – impact on free parking in Park on AP Way

·        It was reported that this issue should be looked at both as a means of managing parking and of generating income, although it was noted that any arrangements for ticketing and enforcement would incur costs to run.

·        Further to previous discussions at the SAC/CC relating to parking, Colin Marr advised that it was his opinion that AP Way was already used for displacement parking, and that there should be a complete ban on parking on AP Way, as being out of place within a Conservation Area. If this was decided against, it was felt that parking should be charged for.

·        It was understood that initial consultations indicated general support for the introduction of the proposed local CPZ, and it was likely that this would be introduced on an experimental basis for 6 months initially.

·        It was felt that any proposed changes to parking arrangements within the park should be introduced incrementally, in order to enable their impacts to be monitored. Advice would be sought from the Council’s parking enforcement and sustainable transport teams regarding this work.

·        It was felt that, were the Palace to look at the option of introducing metered parking along AP Way, the position in respect of parking should be reviewed across the Park as a whole. It was agreed that the Chief Executive would produce a full report on this issue to the next meeting of the Board.

Update on Red Bull event and 150^th event overview

·        Details proposals for both events were set out in the report; both promised to be exciting.

·        The high level of engagement with groups from across the borough in respect of the 150^th event was welcomed.

NOTED