Alexandra Palace leased to Firoka Group

12.52.07pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 17th Nov 2006

Alexandra Palace

Alexandra Palace was leased to the Firoka Group for 125 years last night, as Labour councillors voted to 'sign off' the draft lease and agree to hand over Ally Pally to the private sector. Lib Dem councillors abstained on the vote, saying that while they were not in principle opposed to the leasing of the palace, that Labour had ignored serious concerns that they had raised, meaning they could not support the lease terms proposed.

The current process of selling the Palace began just over a year ago, and early on, Lib Dems were asking questions about the protection of the historical assets of the building. More recently they have voiced their serious concerns over the long-term protection for the world's first public broadcast TV studios and the CUFOS community centre, as well as concerns that the Palace building is poorly protected against the demolition of its internal structures.

Councillor Bob Hare, Lib Dem Spokesperson on Alexandra Palace, said: "We are not opposed to the principle of leasing the Palace, as long as it achieves a good result for the Palace and the people of north London. However, we have numerous concerns about the deal that has been negotiated which we feel have not been adequately answered. We shall be putting our concerns to the Charity Commission during the 30 day period for representations that will be starting now."

Liberal Democrat APP Board Member Councillor Sheila Rainger adds: "Our concerns lead us to believe the deal on offer does not protect some of the key elements of the charitable trust, moreover, we have some doubts about the processes leading to the lease. The Charity Commission must look closely at the details of the proposed sale before it approves this lease. We will be making representations to the Charity Commission, and would encourage anyone else who has concerns to do so."

Lynne Featherstone MP comments: "Everyone, particular the Haringey taxpayer will be relieved to be no longer burdened with the cost of the Palace. That said, the future of the Palace now rests in the hands of the Firoka group for the next 125 years. I wish this new endeavour every success. However, this success still needs to incorporate the aspirations of local people and the preservation of the unique birthplace of television. I will be keeping a keen eye on progress as this take shape."

ENDS

Notes:

Anyone who wishes to make representations on the proposed lease of Alexandra Palace to Firoka for 125 years should write as soon as possible (30 days only) to: Alexandra Palace Representations, Charity Commission Direct, PO Box 1227, Liverpool, L69 3UG, or e-mail:

enquiries@charitycommission.gsi.gov.uk, clearly marking correspondence 'Alexandra Palace' and asking for confirmation of receipt.

Earlier this year, Councillors Wayne Hoban and Bob Hare, Lib Dem members of the APP Board at that time, recorded their concerns when the Board refused to extend the short period, which also included Christmas and New Year, during which the interested companies would have to prepare their detailed bids. We were always concerned that this haste contributed to the Council being left in an invidious negotiating position with only one bidder.

Not least, access to information has been made difficult, in one case, with a wait of 6 weeks despite multiple requests for a copy of just one key letter that Cllr Hare wished to see. The Labour Chair of the Board also refused Cllr Hare's request to see documents relevant to the sale dated prior to January. Cllr Hare commented that "My view (with legal backing) is that as a trustee, I have a right and a duty to see and satisfy myself on all Trust activities irrespective of whether they occurred prior to my becoming a member of the Board."

Lib Dems also believe that the final decision to grant a lease should be taken by Full Council as trustee, not the Board. The Council has delegated all its powers to the Board, but while perfectly valid for day-to-day decisions, we do not believe that the momentous decision to dispose of the major asset of one of the UK's biggest Council charities should be taken by what is a sub-committee, all of whose members other than Cllr Hare were new to the Board in May.