Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Recreation and Heritage Item 3

23 January 2003

Capital Improvements at Tower Arts Centre, Winchester

Report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage

Contact: Michael Fuller Ext: 6016

1. Summary

1.1 The following Decision is sought:

That the proposals for the access improvement capital scheme at Tower Arts Centre are approved and the proposed scheme be built and installed.

2. Reason

2.1 To allow the Tower Arts Centre to comply with the main parts of the Disability Discrimination Act 1996 thus allowing patrons with mobility impairments to gain access to the facility.

3. Other options considered and rejected - None.

4. Conflicts of interest declared by the decision maker or a member or officer consulted - None.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - Not applicable.

6. Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent - Not applicable.

Approved by: Date: (date of decision)

Councillor J. Waddington

................................. ..............................

(signature)

Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Recreation and Heritage Item 3

23 January 2003

Capital Improvements at Tower Arts Centre, Winchester

Report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage

Contact: Michael Fuller Ext: 6016

1. Introduction

1.1 Following the Access Audit of the Tower Arts Centre, Romsey Road, Winchester undertaken in November 2001 as part of phase one of the PB&R access auditing strategy, a number of access improvements were identified. The proposed work involves physical alterations to improve the accessibility of the Centre. This work is the minimum necessary to ensure that the Tower Arts Centre complies with the legal requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 1996 and it will be achieved by providing both external and internal alterations to ensure that all public areas of the Centre can be physically accessed.

2. The Proposals at Tower Arts Centre

2.1 An external ramp is to be constructed to provide level access to the main entrance of the Centre. This ramp will link to two new tar macadam surfaced accessible car parking spaces on the upper grassed area providing a continuous level route to the main entrance. This new surface will also include the re-surfacing of the existing path to improve the pedestrian route to the main entrance.

2.2 The existing timber ramp to the exhibition studio from the lower car parking area will be replaced with a permanent constructed ramp leading off a new level landing area that provides level egress from the rear fire exit double doors from the exhibition studio and from the single fire exit door from the gallery.

2.3 A folding platform stair lift will be installed on the staircase to the toilets and office accommodation, which will allow access to both the accessible WC and the theatre space from the main entrance and reception area. A platform lift will also be installed to provide access to the gallery and exhibition spaces from the main entrance and reception area.

2.4 Further works are needed to complement these with further tar macadam being applied to the lower car park. This will deal with the problem of the unevenness of the concrete blocks which form the base of this area.

3. Financial Implications

3.1 The cost estimates of the access improvement scheme is £60,000. A cost sharing proposal has been agreed with £30,000 identified from the PBR Access Capital Programme and the difference being funded from the Arts Capital Programme. The Arts Capital Programme contains a £45,000 allocation in 2002/03 for the improvement of the Tower Arts Centre.

3.2 An approach to Southern & South Eastern Arts is being made to fund a local artist to work with a local school to design art work to be displayed within the external grounds and new external access improvement proposals, as part of the European Year of Disabled People, 2003.

3.3 It is recommended that the internal works go ahead as soon as practically possible without affecting the programme of events, with the external works planned to be installed during the summer months of 2003.

Recommendations

1 That the proposals for the access improvement capital scheme at Tower Arts Centre are approved and the proposed scheme be built and installed.

1 That £30,000 of Arts Capital Programme 2002/03 be used with the remaining allocation of £15,000 being reserved for lighting and complementary improvements at the Tower Arts Centre.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

N.B. the list excludes:

1. Published works.

2. Documents that disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

TITLE LOCATION

Feasibility Study for Tower Arts Centre Arts Office File PS 2.7