Agenda item

Request from Dukes and Grand Theatres for Grant Support

Meeting of Cabinet, Tuesday, 27th May 2014 10.00 a.m. (Item 6.)

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hanson)

Report of Chief Officer (Regeneration & Planning)

Minutes:

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hanson)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Officer (Regeneration & Planning) to consider requests from the Dukes and Grand theatres for additional funding support.

The options, options analysis, including risk assessment and officer preferred option, were set out in the report as follows:

	Option 1: That neither request be granted.	Option 2: To award grant funding in full to one or both theatres.	Option 3: To award one or both theatres grant funding in part (e.g. lower amount, or for shorter period).
Advantages	No further draw on the Council’s budget at a time of budgetary pressure. Reduces the likelihood of a future conflict of interest with the Canal Corridor redevelopment. May help maintain / encourage financial independence of the theatres, and/or encourage greater financial contribution from British Land.	Supports the theatres at a time when they need to make provision for development proposals.	The draw on the Council’s budget is less than the full cost.
Disadvantages	The theatres may not be able to advance their preparations for developing their offers alongside the Canal Corridor redevelopment.	Additional cost to the Council at a time of increasing budgetary pressure.	As per option 2, albeit a lesser amount.
Risks	Could be perceived as showing a lack of support for well-known cultural facilities in the area and the theatres might not support the council in its ambitions for the Canal Corridor redevelopment.	May raise future expectations. Runs contra to aims for moving towards a commissioning approach. Could lead to other similar applications for grant aid, or perceived unfairness.	As per option 2. May fail to meet either theatre’s objectives.

Option 1 is the officer preferred option. Successful theatres benefit the district in a number of ways and are a key element of the Canal Corridor scheme. The case for providing more financial support must be balanced against the potential for other similar operators to approach the council for support (given the current budgetary climate) and possible conflicts of interest in terms of the Canal Corridor scheme.

Councillor Hanson proposed, seconded by Councillor Sands:-

“(1) That Cabinet recognises and supports the continued importance of The Dukes and The Grand as an essential part of the Arts provision in the district, with both theatres effectively being integral to any future redevelopment of the Canal Corridor North site. Accordingly, Cabinet agrees to the request from The Dukes for £12K as the money is required now to assist with the establishment of their business plan, with the additional £12K being allocated from the Performance Reward Grant Reserve.

(2) That The Grand be invited to make an application for a grant through the Arts commissioning framework once this is in place.”

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved:

(5 Members (Councillors Bryning, Hamilton-Cox, Hanson, Leytham and Sands) voted in favour, and 1 Member (Councillor Barry) abstained.) Councillor Blamire had declared an interest in this item and did not participate in the discussions or vote.

(1) That Cabinet recognises and supports the continued importance of The Dukes and The Grand as an essential part of the Arts provision in the district, with both theatres effectively being integral to any future redevelopment of the Canal Corridor North site. Accordingly, Cabinet agrees to the request from The Dukes for £12K as the money is required now to assist with the establishment of their business plan, with the additional £12K being allocated from the Performance Reward Grant Reserve.

(2) That The Grand be invited to make an application for a grant through the Arts commissioning framework once this is in place.

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

Chief Officer (Regeneration & Planning)

Chief Officer (Resources)

Reasons for making the decision:

The development of the district’s arts offer and its relationship to the Canal Corridor Development is highlighted as a key economic development objective in the Council’s Cultural Heritage Strategy. The decision provides support in line with this objective.

Supporting documents: