The Alexandra Park and Palace Statutory Advisory Committee met on Monday to discuss the chief executive's report, which included updates on the park's financial and environmental sustainability, proposed installations of solar panels and new shutters, and a review of recent events and activities. The committee was also scheduled to approve the minutes from their last meeting.

Here's a summary of the topics that were scheduled to be discussed:

Chief Executive's Report

The committee was scheduled to note and comment on the Chief Executive Report. The report provided an update on the Alexandra Park and Palace Charitable Trust's progress towards its vision to:

Create a Sustainable Home for All That We Do.

The report was broken down into sections based on the trust's goals:

• Provide Great Entertainment and Culture for All
• Build Climate Change Resilience
• Protect Our Heritage Assets
• Safeguard Our Green Lung for London
• Protect Our Archives And Share Our Stories In Innovative Ways
• Inspire And Engage Our Communities
• Strengthen Our Overall Resilience
• Restore Derelict Spaces
• Establish new, Exciting Partnerships

The report also included updates on specific projects and events, such as the Summer Series, theatre productions, and community events. It also mentioned the appointment of Premier PR as Alexandra Palace's new PR agency.

Sustainability Projects

The report mentioned two projects funded by the Haringey Community Carbon Fund: installing solar panels on the boathouse and installing secondary glazing in the CUFOS (old station) building. The solar panel installation requires planning permission.

The report included as appendices to the report pack a heritage statement and drawings relating to the proposed installation of solar panels on the boathouse roof, and designs for proposed shutters at the Alexandra Park Sports Club.

The heritage statement noted that while the Alexandra Palace including its park and gardens is a grade II listed building, and the entire site is listed as a grade II listed Park and Garden, the boathouse itself is not a listed structure. The statement said that the intention of the solar panel installation was to:

make use of the existing structure and flat roof layout of the Boathouse to minimise structural interventions, and to offset the PV panels away from the perimeter of the existing roof to minimise the visual impact on the building and its surrounding setting.

The report also noted that several departments involved in theatre operations have been tackling the Theatre Green Book guidance, which is the industry standard for improving the sustainability of theatres. The events team has been working through the NAA Green Guide, the equivalent guide for event operations.

Park Improvements

The report stated that the annual meadow cutting operation was carried out in mid-August, earlier than usual due to dry conditions. A specialist team cleared around 120,000 square meters. The report stated that longer grass provides more shelter and food sources for birds and insects, helping to increase the biodiversity of the site.

The report also noted that the long spell of hot and dry weather has affected the tree stock, with poplars and chestnut trees dropping their leaves early. The annual safety survey found that ash dieback disease and sooty bark disease (sycamore) have had a big impact, and there are lots of dead trees in the park this year.

Community Engagement

The report stated that three new archive volunteers have enlisted this year, and one has just completed the listing of Val Paley's collection, which was accessioned in 2021. The report stated that the ambition is to create a display and interpretation of Val's contribution as a Trustee since 2017 and her activism dating back to the 1970s.

The report also noted that Alexandra Palace is working with volunteers on articles to be submitted jointly by Hornsey Historical Society to the Ham & High paper for their regular heritage feature.

Minutes

The committee was scheduled to approve the minutes of the Statutory Advisory Committee meeting held on 17th July 2025.