Agenda item

This report updates the Statutory Advisory and Consultative Committees on:

East Wing Restoration Project,  the West Yard Storage Unit project, Events, Park activities,  Learning and Participation activities and the New Years Eve road closure.

RECIEVED the report of Louise Stewart, Chief Executive, Alexandra Park and Palace.

The following matters arose from discussion of the report:

a.    East Wing Restoration Project -  In response to a request for further information about the revised scope of the project including the decision to abandon the restoration of the BBC TV studio, and whether the HLF were supportive of this decision; the Chief Executive commented that the Board had agreed to the project being re-scoped in order to stay within the available budget and that the major funders had signed this off, which included the deferral of the TV studios. The Committee was also advised that the Management team of the Alexandra Park & Palace were currently developing a plan to ascertain what steps needed to be taken to ensure that the project was not abandoned. A forward plan setting out the next steps was being developed at the Board’s request and this would include provision of workshop events with external experts. The Committee was advised that the scope and nature of the expertise required was still to be determined.

b.    In response to a request for reassurance around the deferral of external landscaping, the Chief Executive advised that this had been deferred due to cost pressures on the wider project but that the management team were looking at alternative means of delivery including sponsorship, fundraising and improved design.

c.    No timescales were available for the renovation of the BBC studios.

d.    The Chief Executive advised that there were a number of conditions placed on Wilmot Dixon, as the main contractor, by the Planning Authority  to secure local employment and apprenticeship schemes.

e.    West Yard Storage Project – in response to a question, the Chief Executive advised that delays were primarily due to issues with getting the steel on site and that the costs of delay were borne by the contractor. It was anticipated that the stated completion timescales for the project, of the end of the year would be met.

f.     Events – Concerns were raised about the lack of live testing to ascertain the impact of event noise and the implementation of a noise monitoring programme was requested. The Chief Executive agreed to convene a meeting with representatives from the Warner Estate, TARA, Palace View and Palace Gates Residents Associations, as well as the licensing authority and the Noise team at Haringey Council to discuss testing and noise monitoring in relation to upcoming events. (Action: Louise Stewart).

g.    In response to a request for lectures and other exhibitions to mark the 50 year anniversary of the summer of love at the Palace, the Chief Executive advised that she would be more than happy to receive suggestions on this but advised that there was no budget allocated for it.

h.    In relation to the closure of Alexandra Palace Way to all public vehicles for the summer festival, the Committee expressed its support for the decision taken to allow the W3 bus access to Alexandra Palace throughout the day.

i.      The Chief Executive agreed that she would come back to the Committee with details of the location of the zip wire when the information was available. (Action: Louise Stewart).

j.      Park Update – The Chief Executive acknowledged that there were some automatic traffic monitoring counters on site in the park.

k.    Learning and Participation – The Clerk agreed to include a link to the Palace’s YouTube channel in the minutes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCokPPHKEjs_E6ipz549nueQ

l.      The first Big Schools day took place on 20^th June which included 1060 pupils from 19 schools across the borough. The event included use of the organ and showcased different careers within television, it was delivered in partnership with BAFTA kids and Microsoft. The Chief Executive acknowledged that she would like to develop further links with Microsoft in future.

m.   The Chief Executive acknowledged that whilst there was an intern programme, the availability of places was very limited and as a result placements were only agreed if there was a clear business case. The Chief Executive agreed to come back to Cllr Ross on whether the two current placements were paid internships. (Action: Louise Stewart).

n.     New Year’s Eve Road Closure – The Chief Executive advised that the Board was due to receive a report on the potential closure of Alexandra Palace Way on New Year’s Eve due to growing incidents of anti-social behaviour in the Park as large number of people visit to watch the firework displays across London, and the associated reputational risk to the trust from failing control the situation. The JSAC/CC’s views would be sought at the October meeting once the Board had considered the matter. The Chief Executive clarified that the intention was not to prevent local people accessing the Park on foot. It was felt that the majority if issues were caused visitors arriving in cars.