The Cabinet meeting has started at County Hall and is being held in the Council Chamber rather than the usual committee room. Perhaps to accommodate the larger anticipated public audience.
Please refresh/reload your browser to see the latest updates. We will endeavour to report presentations and discussions as accurately as possible. Text surrounded by ** and () signifies VB’s comments. [18:13:36] Just arrived. Question occurring
Question about CtK (missed the beginning). Something about checking CtK matches the need of a joint Middle / High school
Barry from Shanklin asking a question. If the theatre is closed, people will have to travel a long way to get culture. Sheila Hancock (born on the Island) gives her support for it to be kept open.
Cllr Pugh: On top the proper stuff
Cllr Brown: Process started 30 months ago. Assessment of ongoing liabilities. Theatres taken in-house. Raised idea of external organisations running them.
Two issues have been hard to resolve. Ryde – majority of income over the bar.
“It is never to bring a long established service to an end”
Update 1: [18:23]
We cannot see anyway of the council operating either building, without unreasonable costs to the council. Resident survey didn’t rate Theatres as important. Shanklin may go to a community asset programme. This is still in a formative stage, Shanklin has to close first.
Cllr Bingham: Reminder that we’re facing difficult times. Shanklin – £93k to keep it running. £800k+ works on the building (Going through costs detailed before to close it). Local interest company is being formed. Transfer can only happen once no council requirements for it.
Transfer process
1) organisation gives an outline as to what it would be used for. This then evaluated by the council.
2) Full business case has to be formed. Council would help with the prep of this.
Ryde £100k. Building £500k. Platform 1 is the bidder
Community use for the first 21 years only. Purchase price £200k – deferred for the first year. Amendment “Along the lines of what’s outlined”
“Terms may need to be varied in negotiation”
Cllr Pugh: Major items will remain the same
Update 2: [18:33]
Cllr Brown: Letter from Theatres Trust arrived today – it confirms that Theatres Trust support items 1 – 5.
There are a number of things we are concerned about. Shanklin – We are concerned about the length of the closure. If over 12 months it may damage. Have an indefinite covenant to ensure theatre use.
Ryde – support the sale. A detail about the organ not detailed.
Cllr Pugh: Intention to keep closed for a minimum period
Cllr Abraham: It’s an exciting time for Shanklin Theatre. Much more secure future. Access to funding that we can’t.
Update 3: [18:43]
Cllr Pugh: (lots of chat about how it’s come about) 100’s of letter been received asking for it to stay open as a theatre. Shanklin Town Council will move itself into the theatre.
(The theatre term for shutting a theatre is – A dark period)
Cllr Pugh still going (I swear that he doesn’t take a breath)
Now Ryde Theatre – Exciting, etc. Platform One is well regarded. There’s been a commitment from them to meet Ryde Council.
Cabinet members to speak now.
Cllr Taylor: IWC shouldn’t be running theatres. Are their any conditions that the organ should be safe-guarded?
Cllr Bingham: Yes, but I can’t recall them.
Update 4: [18:53]
Cllr Williams: Shanklin TC are fully behind the idea. An arts centre will be a benefit to the whole Island.
“Concerned that it shouldn’t become a mill-stone around the neck of Shanklin TC, like the Winter Gardens is to Ventnor”
Update 5: [18:55]
Cllr Lumley: Observation. Saddened that it’s accepted that the council shouldn’t be involved to theatre. We see that you’re walking away from these Island theatres. Question – when will this stop? You’re walking away from everything.
Cllr Pugh: We’re pressured by action by the government such as bus fares – which has made us short of cash
“We cannot do everything as a local authority”
Cllr Brown: (some political jibe)
Cllr Lumley: You haven’t answered the question.
Cllr Pugh: We’ve laid out our core prioritites. We believe that we should do everything ourselves.
Cllr Reg Barry: Concern about it being available in the season.
Cllr Brown: We have to make a clean break for Community asset programme to work.
Cllr Pugh: IWC will end it’s connection around Easter break. Hope it can be turned it around for the Summer season.
Cllr Brown: Local group has been very clear that they don’t want to take on the people that work there.
Cllr Barry: Wouldn’t make much difference if it was to stay open then.
Cllr Bingham: “One of the most exciting thing about this,” body can get access to grant that IWC can’t
Cllr Brown: This has now reached decision time. I believe there are very good reasons for it.
Cllr Stephens: I think we’re doing the right thing. Lots of research has gone into this. Like to give my thanks to the staff who have had to work there during this period of uncertainty. I’ve given a list of concerns – War memorial, toilets, etc – I hope that you take proper consideration of them.
Cllr Pugh: Yes, staff have been great over these two years. Note that objections are from member from outside the immediate area
Cllr Jones-Evans: Praise for the large amount of work put into this. Hope the new teams take heart at how well the Apollo Theatre is run
On to the vote: 8 – Passed
Update 6: [19:15]
(Lots of people leaving)
(Interesting how much of the focus of the meeting was on Shanklin. It’s as if Ryde was an after though)
Next bit –
Cllr Cousins: We’ve a new management team. Children’s services
Cllr Cousins: Move to accept the report from the care commission report.
Passed
Update 7: [19:27]
Next – Building Schools For The Future: IWC given priority for BSF
Letter from Partnership for Schools. Deliver a Readiness report by end of the month. Can now bring forward refurb of Middle schools.
Ryde + Sandown schools have been approved – directly funded. Once in a lifetime opportunity.
Cowes Pathfinder – some poss outside BSF funding. Library, etc. Has to be funded by IWC. Need to set aside £6m
Top slicing a suggestion. Janet Newton (lots of experience with other authorities) Thanks to Keith Simmonds being given. A well deserved retirement
Accepted
Update 8 [19.53]
Something about the School’s adjudicator re the rural schools. Chale Primary – asked for an analysis of the numerous letters.
Delegated decision has not been take yet on future of Chale school.
END OF MEETING
