Decision details

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hanson)

Cabinet received a report from the Head of Resources to consider the draft emerging options for The Storey’s business plan which sought Cabinet’s direction on the way forward.  Whilst the report attached to the agenda was exempt from publication by virtue of paragraph 3, of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, a public version of the report had been made available on the City Council’s website.

Detailed option analysis, including risk assessment were set out in the exempt report although the options and officer preferred option, were set out in the public report as follows:

The report sought Cabinet’s direction on various Officer proposals, in particular:

(a)        key business planning principles

(b)        business space letting and development

(c)        catering provision

(d)        overall management capacity; and

(e)        consideration of a community interest group

In view of the many proposals, there were various permutations of options but the following broad summary and analysis of options was provided.

In considering progress to date and the financial projections, Cabinet could determine that none of the options represented an acceptable way forward, and it could instruct Officers to consider more radical alternatives for the operation or the building itself.  This might require referral back to Council, depending on what was put forward.

In summary terms Option 1 was the officer preferred way forward.  More specifically and where appropriate, the detailed Officer preferences underpinning Option 1 were set out in the various sections listed above and it was on these detailed aspects that Officers sought specific decisions.

Consideration of this report should help test out the primary role of the Storey.  Members had previously resolved to retain its role as a Creative Industries Centre, which implied that its main focus should be an economic development one.  However, it also provided an important cultural and community role, some of which also had economic benefits.  Furthermore, the direction given by Cabinet would ultimately determine where responsibility for the Storey best fit within the Council’s management and democratic structures.

The report provided a base on which Cabinet could give direction regarding The Storey’s future, in advance of producing a more detailed and fully costed business plan.

The press and public were excluded from the meeting at this point when it became necessary to refer to information in the exempt report.

It was moved by Councillor Hanson and seconded by Councillor Leytham and resolved unanimously:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)        That, in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business, on the grounds that they could involve the possible disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of that Act. 

Councillor Hanson proposed, seconded by Councillor Bryning:-

“That in support of The Storey’s Business Plan, Cabinet approves Option 1 as set out in the report, in that the Council continues with a private operator for the café/bar, but provides specific management capacity and presence, and events programming/support.  More specifically, Cabinet approves:

-        the key business planning principles and supporting business space letting targets and development plans, as set out in the report and as appended to these minutes;

-        the appointment of a dedicated manager for the Storey, with support being provided from other council services as appropriate”

It was moved by Councillor Barry, seconded by Councillor Blamire and accepted as a friendly amendment by the proposer and seconder of the original proposal:

“That market testing for the bar/catering operation be undertaken to inform future provision and lease arrangements with effect from 01 April 2014, the outcome of which be considered by Cabinet later this year.”

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)    That in support of The Storey’s Business Plan, Cabinet approves Option 1 as set out in the report, in that the Council continues with a private operator for the café/bar, but provides specific management capacity and presence, and events programming/support.  More specifically, Cabinet approves:

-        the key business planning principles and supporting business space letting targets and development plans, as set out in the report and as appended to these minutes;

-        the appointment of a dedicated manager for the Storey, with support being provided from other council services as appropriate;

-        market testing for the bar/catering operation to inform future provision and lease arrangements with effect from 01 April 2014, the outcome of which is to be considered by Cabinet later this year.

Officer responsible for effecting the decision:

Head of Resources

Reasons for making the decision:

The future of The Storey should be considered in context of the Council’s regeneration priorities, as well as its core values of providing value for money, drawing on medium term financial and property strategies.