Agenda item

The report was presented by The CEO of Alexandra Park and Palace. The Committee was asked to note work highlighted below. Planned Repairs and Maintenance.

· The North East Office Building application was approved by Haringey and work on-site had progressed. Emergency works had been funded by Historic England and completion was expected in Mid-November. Further funding would be sought for fitting out the building. Page 2 Page 4 · The Changing Places Facility launch took place. This was viewed as a big step in making the Palace and Park as accessible as possible for all parts of the community. The aim was to move towards the Gold Standard in ‘Attitude is Everything’ accreditation scheme. The facilities were located in the old Ice Rink entrance off the South Terrace.

· The need for bollards on 330 metres of Alexandra Palace Way was discussed. The CEO explained that the bollards stopped cars mounting the pavement and taking part in antisocial behaviour. However, the Committee’s objection to the look of the plastic bollards originally used had been noted and new iron bollards had been sourced. These were yet unfunded however the officers were highlighting to Committee to ensure that there was no objection to the look and feel of the new bollards. No objections were raised. Work could now commence however no timescale had been agreed yet.

· The repairs to the North Yard Bridge nearest the CUFOS building were very significant. Remedial work would be carried out and discussed and approved with Trustees. Repairs and maintenance. · The Palace had employed a full-time bricklayer to improve the look of the exterior of the building.

· Over one hundred electrical distribution boards were upgraded as part of the Environmental Sustainability programme. Fire alarm panels were updated. A question was raised about the safety of the site and the prevention of problems in the future. The CEO responded that as with all heritage sites funding was an issue as well as the volume of maintenance and repairs. She stated that her team did what they could with the resources they had.

· The globe lights on the South Terrace were replaced with LEDs after a successful bid from Haringey’s Green Team. It was noted that the lighting replicated the warm glow of the Victorian era.

 · An 760kg ammonia cooling tank was replaced in the ice rink. · Aesthetic works has been carried out at the Phoenix Bar and Pizzeria. The toilets had been replaced to resolve drainage issues and were the same style as the Theatre toilets. This style would eventually be rolled out across all the toilets on site. It was noted that an economy of scale would be achieved in terms of repairs.

· Repairs in The Phoenix & Pizzeria included the replacement of the wooden bar and sash windows were in the process of being restored. Significant savings had been achieved in restoring and not replacing the bespoke fixtures.

· Work commenced and scoped for a repair to the boundary wall of the boating lake.

· Other minor repairs were being undertaken to the doors in the East Court. Park & Environmental Sustainability.

· The Park’s noticeboards had been refurbished and include a new site map.

· The Park’s team and volunteers had improved areas in the park – including the wildflower display in the summer.

· The North London Hospice Owls trail project had also been a success. Creative Learning. The CEO highlighted the below.

· The high levels of engagement with teachers and young people.

· The Community Radio project for young people was now on the Alexandra Palace website. More funding was being sought to grow the project further.

· Good media coverage had been achieved for the 150 Lifetimes Exhibition.

· Creative camps were held over the summer and were funded through external grants. · Café Palais (an event for those with dementia), Singing for the Brain, a choir for vulnerable and elderly people were held over the summer. Nineteen residential homes were engaged, and the team were looking to expand the programme.

 · The CEO highlighted that the Creative Learning workstream is almost totally reliant on external funding. Events

· Two days of fireworks are planned for the 1st and 2nd of November.

· The volume of noise complaints was relatively stable – there was no upwards or downward trend to note. The Committee were reminded that the most up to date information was listed on the What’s On pages on the Alexandra Palace website. 7 Suggestions for future agendas. A list of the Alexandra Palace and Park Summer Series 2025 was handed out and then discussed. A question was raised about the Theatre and its usage and future plans. The CEO responded that this had been planned for a presentation at the Consultative Meeting, but she would run through this for the APPSAC. The main points are summarised below.

· The CEO noted that the Theatre was going from strength to strength and contributing to the charity. The events were wide ranging and catering to all parts of the community.

· Later with Jools Holland was being hosted at Alexandra Palace and had been for the past three years. The CEO noted that bands who play with Later… tended to rebook the theatre and Palace for tours.

· Recent successes were: o An Inspector Calls which had 21,000 visitors – 92 schools visited. o The Glass Menagerie was critically acclaimed. o The World Squash Tournament was very successful and has rebooked for next year. o Alexandra Palace was to host to Friday Night is Music Night and the BBC Concert Orchestra. o Bibliobuzz – a literary festival for 9–12-year-olds. An event held in partnership with Library Services, which included workshops with children’s authors. o Jamaica Love musical – would be rebooking next year for another run. o Disability Dance, Kids Week, and comedy events. · Future events were discussed. The CEO noted that the Palace was becoming a gateway to the west end for plays and was getting a good reputation for music and comedy.

· A question was raised as to transport for young children attending events as a part of a school trip. The CEO clarified that it would be the school’s remit to ensure that risk assessments and transports were organised.

· Transport for those less able to walk in light of the steep hill at Alexandra Palace was then discussed. The Chair raised that accessibility transport could be arranged for those attending events at the Palace. The CEO emphasised that this would be booked in advance. The Chair suggested that transporting event goers to the station may be a future opportunity.

· Discussion turned to the diversion of the W3. The Residents Working Group was in talks with TfL about communicating information better to bus users.

· The CEO asked the Committee to note the new metal arches constructed for concerts. These were scanners and part of the Palace’s counter terrorism measures.

· Questions were raised about scheduled events in June and August as the tabled paper only included outdoor events in July. However, the CEO responded that the Palace was trying to consolidate all the outdoor events into the month of July.

There would, however, be other events.

 · A further question was asked about access to the gate at the top of Priory Road on the Fireworks Night event. The CEO responded that she would get back with information for the Committee from her team. ACTION.