Agenda item

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

The following matters arose from the discussion of the report:

a.    Governance report – In response to a suggestion that the SAC should be wound up instead of the CC, the CEO acknowledged this suggestion, advising that the report did not recommend any changes to the composition of the SAC. The CEO advised that the SAC provided a forum to engage with surrounding residents associations and that the Palace valued having a good working relationship with its neighbours.

b.    East Wing Restoration Project – In response to a question, the Deputy CEO advised that the East Wing was due to be ready in summer 2018 but that the public opening would be later than that, possibly autumn.

c.    In response to a question on the Listed Building Consent for the lighting of the mast, the CEO advised that the condition of it being lit no more than 120 times a year was agreed with the Planning Authority and that the Palace was responsible for monitoring this.

d.    The Committee was advised that the majority of the work to the East Court was being done to the inside of the building but that there was some fabric repair being undertaken to the outside.

e.    The Committee noted that the Learning and Participation team were being renamed the Creative Learning Team which seemed to have more resonance with funders. In response to a query, the Committee was advised that the head of the CLT was Mark Civil who had a background as a teacher and had also ran a theatre as well as working as an assessor for the Arts Council.

f.     BBC Studios – The CEO acknowledged the offer from the APP Conservation Area Advisory Committee to assist in the development of the BBC Studios project and agreed to put the offer to the Board.

g.    The Clerk agreed to circulate an electronic version of the BBC Studios Forward Plan to all members of the JSAC/CC. (Action: Clerk).

h.    In response to a query, the CEO advised that the input of other media outlets had been sought in the project and not just the BBC.

i.      West Yard Storage Project – In response to a question, officers were advised that the West Yard was not yet in use, but that any additional costs from the delay and continued off-site storage was being met by the contractor.

j.      Events – Some Members of the Committee advised that they had not received a letter outlining the details of the arts festival.

k.    The CEO acknowledged that there were no plans to pursue zip wire proposals at this time.

l.      In response to a question, the CEO advised that access was monitored during indoor events and that any offensive behaviour or costumes would be dealt with by security staff.

m.  New Year’s Eve Road Closure – In response to a  question from the Committee, it was noted that the overall level of anti-social behaviour experienced was considerably reduced from previous years. However, instances of anti-social behaviour did still occur.

n.    Park Update – The CEO advised that poor drainage was an ongoing issue, particularly during winter but that there had also been a water leak which had exacerbated problems. The leak had now been fixed. The CEO agreed to speak the Parks Manager and feedback on what was being done to address the drainage issues and accumulation of puddles. (Action: Louise Stewart).

o.    Drone Policy – The CEO clarified that although drone competitions had taken place inside the Palace, the policy stipulated that it was not permitted to fly a drone on or over the Park or Palace without the written permission of the Trustees.

p.    A member of the Committee enquired whether drones could be allowed in the park but only in a prescribed area at a prescribed time. The CEO suggested that she would take that feedback to the Board but commented that it was unlikely to be popular with other park users.