Agenda item

The CEO of Alexandra Park and Palace introduced the report updating on activities since last reported. The Committee noted:

Planned Repairs and Maintenance.

• The North East Office Building application had been approved by Haringey and the emergency works, funded by Historic England, were expected to complete in Mid- November. Further funding would be sought for fitting out the building.
• The Changing Places Facility had been formally launched. 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 corridor that had previously served as the main Ice Rink entrance from 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 were a mitigation against 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, but feedback was being sought from the Committee to ensure that there were no objections to the look and feel of the proposed bollards.
• A concern was raised that motorbikes could still get through the bollard barriers. The CEO responded that this would always be the case although she emphasised the team had done a lot of work to stop cars and mopeds mounting the pavement.
• The Chair asked about the condition of the North Bridge. The CEO responded that repairs were significant and remedial work would be carried out until a permanent scheme was brough to the 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 have been updated.
• The globe lights on the South Terrace had been replaced with LEDs after a successful award from the Mayor’s Greener London Fund through Haringey Council’s. It was noted that the lighting replicated the warm glow of the Victorian era.
• A 760 kg ammonia cooling tank had been replaced in the Ice Rink.
• Aesthetic work had been carried out in the Phoenix Bar and Pizzeria. The toilets had been upgraded to resolve drainage issues and had been redecorated in 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 if all the bathrooms were the same style.

A further question was raised about the safeguarding and practical challenges to school children when visiting the gender-neutral toilets in the East Court. It was also highlighted that doors of the toilets comply with floor to ceiling safeguarding principles. The CEO acknowledged the issues and responded that these toilets had since been closed for refurbishment. The CEO also clarified that these particular toilets were intended for park visitors and had not been designed for use by large numbers of people. Theatre visitors were directed to the theatre toilets.

The CEO continued to report that:

• Repairs in the Phoenix Bar & Pizzeria included replacement of the wooden bar and, and sash windows were in the process of being restored. Significant savings had been achieved in restoring and not replacing the bespoke fixtures.
• Work had commenced to scope repairs to the boundary wall of the boating lake. Clarification was sought around where the boundary wall was located, and the CEO explained that it was a wall in the actual lake.
• Other minor repairs were being undertaken to the doors in the East Court.
• Despite significant progress, there was still much to be completed.

Park & Environmental Sustainability.

• The Park’s noticeboards were being refurbished one at a time and would 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 had been 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 had been 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.

There was a positive comment form the Committee on The Grove engagement work undertaken in June and attendance had exceeded all expectations. There were particular thanks for the notice board work and also the wildflower displays in the summer.

The Chair commented that he had noticed that the beds in the Thames Water facilities were dry and enquired whether this was the jurisdiction of Alexandra Palace. The CEO replied that the site belonged to Thames Water and were keen to understand any future plans for this area.

Noted the Events update:

• Two days of fireworks are planned on the 1^st and 2^nd 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 on events was listed on the’ What’s On’ pages on the Alexandra Palace website.