Agenda item

To consider the general update on activities in the Park and Palace.

The Chief Executive of Alexandra Palace and Park introduced the report, which included updates from Uses and Activities; Access, Safety and Inclusion; Nature, Health and Well-being and Management and Community Involvement.

The Head of Park and Environmental Sustainability, highlighted the good work of multiple volunteer groups including the Alexandra Palace Volunteer Gardening Group and corporate volunteers through theTCV (The Conservation Volunteers).

There was a public engagement exercise on enhancing The Grove, including an event co-created by Alexandra Palace’s Young Creatives Network, which explored ideas for improvements and ended with a family fun day on the 8 June 2024,

The Committee were shown pictures of work that was done to enhance the habitat of The Grove. The pictures showed cleared grass so the pond could be seen, this provided more space to play, with natural or dedicated equipment for indoor play.

Noted the collaboration work with the volunteer group, Friends of the Park, which included sowing some wildflowers to encourage pesticides enlisting a hedge growing expert, trying out a traditional park method. Gardening volunteers’ flowers were funded by the Friends of the park.

The following points were noted in the discussion at this point of the meeting.

-       It was a gradual process in making all bins uniformed.

-       The Park was looking at alternative, practical routes where contractors could take to avoid deep groves on the paths/ parks.

-       It was noted that work had started on notice boards, gate 1 of Alexandra Palace was being renovated and there were around 15 notice boards in need of renovation.

-       Work had been done of the ponds in the park, which had helped with the habitation of the animals.

Maintenance, Repairs and Improvements

The team had submitted an application to Historic England for roof works and were successful and received a six-figure sum. However, the fund provided was to make the space in the roof watertight. It was noted that due to the significant dereliction in the roof area Historic England had given further funds for the project.

There would be a need for a major planning application to fit it out the building and this may take a year or longer to do. It was estimated that the cost may be between £2-2.5 million for this.

The Chief Executive informed the Committee that the double-glazed unit vents would blow open when there were high winds and there was work on this to make the area waterproof and involved an update of the vents.

The legacy project in the Southeast Office Building Refurbishment now enabled Alexandra Palace (AP) staff members to work in the building where previously contractors were working.

The following points were noted in the discussion at this point of the meeting.

-       It was noted that a full-time bricklayer had been secured for brick repairs in the south terrace and it was hoped to employ a bricklayer apprentice. Bricklayers would help with minor jobs within Alexandra Palace, this would ultimately lead to timely completion to repairs and cost savings.

-       The Huskies Ice hockey team had had a great season last year with a crowd reaching capacity of over 1000 people. There was now a women’s ice hockey team that had been created where young women came from all over the country to try out to be a part of the team.

-        Dementia café hosted by AP would be good to publicise.

-       150 years celebration of Alexandra Palace event hosted by MP Catherine West in the House of Parliament.

Noted that there were 14 days of events and some were half day events. Agreed for Natalie Layton to provide John Chilton breakdown of the events (completed)

Creative Learning events outlined were as follows:

-       The North London BookFest - and it was hoped  that this event would return next year.

-       The theatre school has been successful in their productions and had built on their success year on year.

-       Rhythm Stick  was an inclusive club night organised by and for people with disability. This event had a good turnout, with Alexis Taylor attending the event.

RESOLVED:

The Committee to note report.