Agenda item

To receive the report of the Chief Executive - Alexandra Palace and Park - seeking the Committees’ views on the prospect of bringing back a public firework display in Alexandra Park, in November 2013, on a self-financing commercial basis.

RECEIVED the report of the Chief Executive – Alexandra Palace and Park – as set out in the agenda pack.

NOTED:

The consensus was generally positive, although some serious concerns were raised. 

Comments included the following:

·               Friends of the Park – majority of members were ‘for’ the fireworks, although some committee members had been against it. Objections were raised with regards to ticket prices, closure of the Park and the risk of damage to the Park from the moving and installation of fencing (and whether repair costs would be covered by the company).

·               Similarly, members of the Alexandra Residents Association were positive, although their representatives were more concerned. Particular worries were about stewarding at the entrances, people who try to get in free and large amounts of cash being collected. 

·               Past fireworks events had seen a ‘pressure-point’ around the Warner Estate – people had attempted to climb over the fencing and cause general disorder.

·               It was important that the Police were consulted and involved, and were made aware of areas where potential disorder could occur.

·               There were concerns that many people would turn up and expect to get in free, or try to view from just outside the restricted area  and crowds of people may gather in adjoining streets with the potential for disorder. 

·               Gates at Park Avenue North entrance had fencing which could easily be cut open – the police or stewards need to be made aware of this.

·               Some concerns were raised over the closure of entrances, particularly those along Newland Road, which had in the past been a popular access point from Campsbourne and the east – this could lead to bad feelings.

·               Some people would find the entrance fee for a family to be prohibitively expensive.

·               There were concerns over the closure of the road and the stoppage of the W3 bus route although in the past this had not been problematic.

·               It was wonderful that the fireworks were going to come back to Alexandra Palace.  A suggestion was made that if people were aware of why the event was no longer free (due to being a loss-making event in the past), then they would not mind paying an entrance fee.

·               Thought needed to be given to car parking – if the road would be closed from midday then this could stop some spectators from attending if there was no car parking available.  It could also lead to parking congestion in adjoining roads, which in the past had also been congested by pedestrians.

·               The pricing structure was not outrageous – the event was being planned by an experienced operator, and the pricing would be in line with other events carried out by the promoter.

·               Members thought that it might be useful to have another meeting before the decision needed to be taken.  Duncan Wilson would report back to Members based on the issues raised, and a decision would then be taken as to whether an emergency SAC meeting was necessary.

·               Councillor Scott added that there was no need to hold extra meetings, as Members needed to trust that their views would be taken into consideration by the Board and the management team, and that any plans would meet all health and safety requirements.

The chairman’s final comment was to record the committee’s general support for the proposal tempered by some of the very real concerns that had been raised, and which needed to be considered further before the Board makes a final decision.

RESOLVED to note the report and refer the comments made by the Committees to the Alexandra Palace and Park Board.