Agenda item

To receive a verbal update from the Chief Executive Officer.

A Verbal update from Emma Dagnes, Chief Executive Alexandra Palace, was noted:

Q1 Summary:

·                    Head of Fundraising Recruitment – Katherine Harding (previously Fundraising Manager) had re-joined as Head and would work with Nicole Newman, fundraising consultant, to implement the fundraising strategy plan presented to Trustees in May.

·                    General recruitment - Policies and processes were in place to ensure recruitment was conducted fairly and the new accessibility policy currently being drafted would be reflected in all recruitment too.

            Strategically, the talent pipeline at leadership level does not exist but the Young Creatives Network were the talent for the future, being invested in now for future leaders. Other sectors were approaching the same challenges.

·                    The new Head of Facilities would be joining in August –from a Director Role at Westminster Abbey with experience of live/ high profile events in a heritage site.

·                    The Car Park Charging infrastructure installation had started and stakeholder communications were regularly updated.

·                    The East Court Restaurant Project was in progress. Following market research and expressions of interest, a tender exercise was being prepared for 2024. Intended to complete during the 150^th year the project has been extended to ensure an appropriate specification for the space.

·                    Vision and goals would include projects to restore other derelict spaces in the East Wing , including opening-up the room currently referred to as the Theatre Archive onto the South Terrace, the spaces beneath the BBC Tower, the South Tower – opposite / mirroring the Outdoor Beer Garden, in accordance with the Farrels Masterplan. There were plans to rehouse the Theatre archive in the upcoming NEOB project.

·                    Creative Learning:

            There would be a fuller report at SAC & CC in Sept.

            The Global Roots exhibition – in Haringey was exploring how to approach diversity in the curriculum and the working with teachers had been successful.

            Creativity Camps were starting on the 31 July – Comic Book making, Experimental Music Group, Film Making, Game Design.

            Café Palais in June – swing dancing for older people.

            Library Lates Event in Coombes Croft Library was on 15 July.

            The successful Library Lates events were coming to Tottenham on 15 July to host a stage at the North London Lates festival.

            The Young Creatives Network was working on a range of projects: Tottenham Stadium curating their own exhibition following the Gazza Exhibition, with the record shop in Wood Green shopping centre for a young people led music space and to learn Dj-ing skills.

·                    Summer series:

            Kaleidoscope – The team had a plan ready to execute once the decision had been made to cancel the Kaleidoscope Festival (due to the high winds forecast)

            Hozier & Ben Howard were preforming at Alexandra Palace on 21 July 2023 for a special headline outdoor show in the Park as part of the Summer Series

·                    Counter Terrorism work:

            FRRAC and APTL Board reports were noted.

            The Head of Health & Safety was working on CT Risk Management Action Plan.

·                    BBC Wing restoration project:

            This project was listed in the Derelict Spaces project goals. The Project Manager had started conversations with stakeholders and potential partners to proceed with phase 1.

·                    Byelaws Review:

            Noted that existing Byelaws 1929 no longer effectively covered the way in which Alexandra Park were used today, making them difficult to rely on in enforcement. In June, the draft new Byelaws were circulated to SAC and CC members for consultation, based on the model from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities.

            Formal public consultation would take place following collation of all feedback.

·                    A Trustee Strategy Day had been arranged for 29 September and would include an induction refresher followed by a Trustee Dinner to showcase the hospitality function.  

·                    Upcoming planning matters:

            The SAC and CC would be consulted by email on Fencing Replacement Works, which was a security measure being undertaken following advice from counter terrorism colleagues.