Agenda item

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 21/22 budget, and a further budget saving of £23,000 would occur. 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 venue could remain empty until demolished. Alternative options exist for bookers to relocate elsewhere. The memorial wall will be relocated as part of the regeneration and development of Prestwich. In addition, full options will be explored to retain and relocate the existing sprung dance floor.

Other options considered and rejected:

Ramsbottom Civic Hall

Option 2 – re-open in part (no major functions or weddings) once the Vaccination Centre has ended, from 1/8/21 (it is feasible that the venue will be required until 2022)

Re-opening in part will require a subsidy of c£64,000pa. 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 workforce required to re-open in part 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. Alternative options exist for bookers to relocate elsewhere.

Option 3 – fully close once the Vaccination Centre has ended, from 1/8/21(it is feasible that the venues will be required until 2022)

This will generate a net budget saving of £55,500, but much of this has already been taken account of in the budget process. 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 venue could remain empty for 12 months or more in line with the development of the Town Plan. Alternative options exist for bookers to relocate elsewhere.

The Elizabethan Suite

Option 1 – re-open fully once the Vaccination Centre has ended, from 1/8/21(it is feasible that the venues will be required until 2022)

An ongoing minimum subsidy of £4,592pa + £105,891pa civic chef (£110,483) will be required. The workforce required to re-open (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 and a higher overspend.

Option 3 –fully close once the Vaccination Centre has ended, from 1/8/21(it is feasible that the venues will be required until 2022)

This will generate a net saving of £4,592 + £105,891 Civic Chef (£110,483), much of which is already accounted for in the current budget. 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 venue could remain empty for 5 years or more subject to the future of the Town Hall. The venue could not be opened up for use internally without the incurred costs of cleaning /caretaking and the co-ordination of bookings by another Council team etc. The running costs of the venue would remain (i.e., utility costs), however the venue would not be income generating. These costs would have to be absorbed by another Council team due to the infrastructure of the Town Hall utilities regardless of option.

Alternative options exist for bookers to relocate elsewhere.

The Longfield Suite

Option 1 – re-open fully once repairs to the roof, and other minor repairs have been undertaken

An ongoing minimum subsidy of £125,205pa will be required. The workforce required to re-open (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.