Agenda item

The report provides information to the Statutory Advisory and Consultative Committees on planning and policy issues in relation to Alexandra Park and Palace. It also provides additional information on the events programme and a range of activities of the Charitable Trust.

RECEIVED the report of Louise Stewart, Chief Executive (CE), Alexandra Park and Palace.

The following matters arose from discussion of the report:

a.    In response to a request for further information around the APPB governance review, the CE advised that there was no further information available at present as the Board had reached no decisions. Governance was due to be discussed further at the Board strategy day on 21^st October, at the meeting some consideration would be given to timescales and when consultation would take place with the SAC & CC committees and appropriate stakeholders.

b.    East Wing Restoration Project – The Chief Executive advised that the methodology for the theatre celling was still to be finalised.

c.    The Friends of Alexandra Palace Theatre advised that they were willing to assist with fundraising for community usage of the theatre. 

d.    The planning and listed building conditions submitted for listed building consent discharge were not significant changes but were noted as amendments to existing consents.

e.    West Yard Storage Project – In response to a question about what was being done about temporary storage, it was commented that some storage was off-site as the building was not ready on time. The additional costs to APP were covered by the contractor, in accordance with the contract.

f.     No issues were foreseen with seeking planning permission and listed building consent for relocating the storm water drain attenuation tank from beneath the West Yard to the North Yard.

g.    BBC Tower Mast - In response to a suggestion that the lighting of the mast be undertaken regularly and not just for special events, the CE advised that the planning process was subject to competing priorities and that some stakeholders had raised objections to the proposal. It was agreed that the dates for the planning application would be circulated (Action: Natalie Layton).

h.    Events – The Chair advised that representatives from WERA met with the CE recently and that a number of mitigations were agreed in response to the parks licence. These included how noise complaints would be responded to and an agreement that regular updates would be provided to the Committee on the amount of noise complaints received.

i.      The psychedelic mural was currently in storage and would be used again at future events.

j.      The Trust was continuing to liaise with the Forestry Commission to tackle the Oak Processionary Moth nests found in the park. Low-level nests had been fenced off and would be removed.

k.    Future Events – In response to a question on whether the Palace would have to make any improvements to the building in order to facilitate the zip wire and whether its installation would involve any restrictions to areas of the park; the Committee was advised that arrangements were still to be determined. The CE advised that several potential anchoring points had been identified and that the management team were conscious that they did not want to unnecessarily fence off areas of the park. In response to a follow-up question, the CE reiterated that no decision had been made and that the size and location of a landing platform was still to be determined. The CE stated that it would not necessarily be a permanent installation. 

l.      Park update -  Congratulations to Mark Evison and the Parks team was noted for the three awards that they received. The Committee also acknowledged the work done by the Friends of Alexandra Park.

m.  Volunteers – In response a query, the committee was advised that a general request for volunteers had not been undertaken for some time. However, the team was actively looking into areas that volunteers could become more involved with. The CE advised that the Committee would be advised as-and-when a call for volunteers was made.

n.    Archive and Interpretation – The Committee was advised that the BBC Wing Forward Plan was still being developed by the Trust and that this would be shared in due course. The CE acknowledged that an advisory workshop would be included in the Forward Plan.

o.    The Chief Executive acknowledged that the 3D scans of both basement levels would be accessible to the public, but that the timescales for this were not determined.

*Clerk’s note - Virtual tours of the basements can be found at this link: https://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/beta/streetview/alexandra-palace-solitary-confinement-cell/LwFRdIB4EqKT_w *