Agenda item

To update on Alexandra Park and Palace including Covid-19 impact, reopening and recovery, Wellbeing survey, park management, Creative Learning and Dukes Avenue.

The joint SAC/CC received a report which provided an update on Alexandra Park and Palace; including the impact of COVID-19, reopening and recovery, wellbeing survey, park management, Creative Learning and Dukes Avenue. The report was introduced by Louise Stewart, Chief Executive (CE) of APPCT as set out in the agenda pack at pages 9-27. The following was noted in discussion of this item:

a.         Clarification was sought around whether any conversations had taken place around the likelihood of further road closures and when these might occur. In response, the CE commented that the last few weeks had seen an increase in incidents of dangerous driving and dangerous parking and that APPCT were in conversation with the Police about how best to tackle this.

b.         Clarification was also sought around parking donations and whether there was an indication of how much this brought in. In response, it was noted that the donations were contributing to the costs of managing the car parks and that this could be £5k on a good week but less when the weather was bad. Having CSP on-site provided APPCT with a safe way of managing the car parks.

c.         Concerns were raised with the closure of Grove car park, given the possible impact on those with mobility issues. In response, Louise commented that this was very small car park and it was less economically viable to open than some of the larger car parks. There were also problems with ASB around this location and it was tricky to manage when the overall site is not busy. APPCT were looking at how they could open it more consistently. 

d.         Further information was requested around the application for a Culture Recovery Fund. In response, the CE advised that an application had been submitted but they had not been informed of the decision yet, it was anticipated this would take at least four weeks. In regards to other funding, APPCT had received £250k from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Corporate Trustee have given an additional grant of £500k.

e.         In relation to Dukes Avenue bridge members of the joint meeting expressed concern at the DfT’s seeming desire to demolish the bridge and there was a long historical connection between the bridge and the Palace.

f.          In relation to the litter in the park, an audit was being undertaken of where improvements needed to be made and where signage should be increased. However, the CE emphasised that signage did not necessarily deter litter and that there was always a minority who ignored instructions. 

g.         In regards to litter, the joint meetings and the management team at APPCT acknowledged the phenomenal work done by local volunteers in litter picking and those present wished the record their thanks for all of the work done by the volunteers to keep the park clean.

h.         Concerns were noted with the fact that there had not been a litter communications campaign rolled out over lockdown, like Haringey and Keep Britain Tidy had done. It was suggested that the Royal Parks had erected large signs around fencing and that this could be something for APPCT to consider in future. The CEO pointed out that the campaign had been on social media and that litter prevention signs were in place in the Park having been put in place the previous year.

i.          Cllr Hare requested that the veteran trees that were part of the old Tottenham wood farm be included into the tree survey and a possible tree walk, going forwards. The CE advised that she would raise this with the Parks Manager at APPCT, but cautioned that this would likely cost money. Cllr Hare requested some further information as to how much it might cost as there may be some scope to secure some voluntary funding for it. (Action: Louise Stewart).

j.          The CEO updated the Committee on water leaks in the park in the Grove and lower road.  Thames Water were on site for approximately three months to repair the significant leak in the Lower Road. Thames Water installed new drainage gullies and resurfaced a large area of the lower road, which had resolved some pre-existing problems.

k.         The CE highlighted Council’s consultation on the Bedford Road traffic improvement measures and advised that the Trust would feed into the consultation.

l.          A number of exhibitions were still scheduled to go ahead, including Knit & Stich. The theatre had also been in use during the lockdown.  Further discussions were continuing to take place with the Licensing Authority about the fireworks.  In response to a follow-up question, APPCT advised that they were still some weeks off before having to make a decision on whether to go ahead with the fireworks or not. The event is delivered by APPCT itself with a regular partner so could be brought together quickly. The SAC/CC commented that having a very large space should be an advantage in respect of being able to hold a fireworks event.

m.       In response to a question around holding silent fireworks events, the CE advised that the issue was more about maintaining social distancing rather than noise.

n.         A question was raised around whether there was provision for those without a car to attend drive-in events. In response, the CE advised that the opera were making provision for this. The CE agreed to circulate a note to the SAC/CC on the access arrangements for drive-in events. (Action: Louise Stewart).

RESOLVED

That the contents of the report be noted.