Issue - meetings

A report from the Cabinet Member for Communities is attached.

Councillor Richard Gold, the Cabinet Member for Communities, presented the report regarding the three Civic Venues, all of which currently operated at a loss and were also in need of significant financial investment. It was noted that outside caterers would be permitted at both Ramsbottom and Elizabethan venues.

In response to a question about the dancefloor at the Longfield Suite, it was noted that options for a new location within the Borough were currently being explored, but were still in an early stage.

Decision:

That Cabinet:

1.   Notes the results and feedback generated from the public consultation in respect of the Civic Venues.

2.   Having regard to the views received from the consultation; approve the future of the Civic Venues as follows: -

a)   Ramsbottom Civic Hall to re-open once the Vaccination Centre has ceased, and when covid restrictions allow. Its future to be considered as part of the current planning process in respect of the Place Management and Movement Plan for Ramsbottom.

b)   The Longfield Suite remain closed and be replaced by a new events and community space, to be provided by the redevelopment of Prestwich Town Centre.

c)   That the sprung dancefloor at the Longfield Suite be retained and preserved for future use at an alternative venue in the borough. The memorial wall to be relocated as part of the regeneration and development of Prestwich.

d)   The Elizabethan Suite to re-open, once the Vaccination Centre has ceased, and when covid restrictions allow, however, there will be no catering/beverage function.

e)   That the Chief Executive be requested to convene a cross party working group to consider the options for the future of Bury Town Hall and the Elizabethan Suite and to report with recommendations to a future meeting of the Cabinet.

Reasons for the decision:

Ramsbottom Civic Hall

Option 1 - re-open fully (whilst the Town Plan is being further developed) once the Vaccination Centre has ended, from 1/8/21 (it is feasible that the venue will be required until 2022)

An ongoing minimum subsidy of £83,596pa will be required although this may be higher post COVID recovery. The workforce required to reopen (subject to the implementation of required HR policy and process) would resume in their Civic Venues posts. It is to be noted that due to the continued impact of covid restrictions, there would be a continued impact on income.

The Elizabethan Suite

Option 2 – re-open once the Vaccination Centre has ended, from 1/8/21(it is feasible that the venues will be required until 2022), however there will be no catering/beverage function

Some of the workforce would be at risk of compulsory redundancy (subject to the implementation of required HR policy and process).

Redundancy costs would potentially be incurred at a cost to be determined. The running costs of the venue would remain (i.e., utility costs), and income could be lower than previous levels.

The Longfield Suite

Option 2 –fully close

This will generate a cost saving of £125,205pa, but some of this taken account of in the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 100