Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Recreation and Heritage Item 3

29 May 2003

Capital Grant for Hanger Farm Barn, Totton

Report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage

Contact: Michael Fuller Ext: 6016

1. Summary

1.1 The following Decision is sought:

That a capital grant of £50,000 be made to Totton and Eling Town Council for the conversion of Hanger Farm Barn, Totton into an arts centre subject to the provision of a satisfactory business plan as approved by the Director of Recreation and Heritage.

2. Reason

2.1 To allow the Hanger Farm Barn to operate as an arts centre for Totton.

3. Other options considered and rejected - Providing no grant aid support. This was rejected as incompatible with the desire to provide arts facilities across the county accessible to as many residents as possible.

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

29 May 2003

Capital Grant for Hanger Farm Barn, Totton

Report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage

Contact: Michael Fuller Ext: 6016

1. Introduction

1.1 An approach has been made to Hampshire County Council for funding towards the renovation and conversion of Hanger Farm Barn, Totton by Totton and Eling Town Council. This report describes the scheme and recommends financial support for the capital works.

2. The Proposals at Hanger Farm Barn, Totton

2.1 The farmhouse and barn at Hanger Farm date from the 16th and 18th centuries and are Grade 2 listed buildings. Unfortunately, they have fallen into decay and require improvement. They were seen in the 1986 development plan as perfect for community use. However, no purchaser has been found by the Town Council. In a few years' time the entire area around the Farm will be built upon with new housing. An adjoining open space is being landscaped and these buildings need to be developed at the same time or they will be vulnerable to vandalism.

2.2 Surveys have been done into the interest in the town for using such a building if it was converted into a local arts centre. There was strong support for this suggestion and, as Totton is one of the largest parishes in Hampshire, it is felt this is good use for the buildings. One of the organisations which will make good use of the facility is Totton College who are proposing to manage the centre and use it extensively during the daytime when often there is little public demand.

2.3 The proposal includes for the following facilities:

· a theatre with seating for approximately 130 persons

· changing facilities

· an exhibition area

· a bar

· toilets and kitchen space

· parking for approximately 32 cars with overflow spaces

· an open area, landscaped with open air seating

2.4 The plans have been agreed after full consultation with Totton College drama facility and local drama groups including the Totton Drama Festival. The Town Council have been in full consultation with the historic building section of New Forest District Council to ensure that all requirements will be met in the proper renovation of the buildings concerned.

2.5 An outline programme has been drawn up assuming that the centre will offer a flexible and varied range of arts activities. The days will house some of the drama courses run by Totton College for its AS and OCN students with some evening use for classes at this time as well. Showcases will also feature on an occasional basis for work emanating from these courses.

2.6 In summary the weekly usage will be made up of the following:

· drama festivals

· College day time use (26+ hours per week)

· College evening use (4+ hours per week)

· public productions offered by the College

· amateur productions

· touring productions promoted by the Town Council or College

· youth drama workshops and productions

· the promotion of drama as part of the basic skills programmes

· music promotions

· local and regional exhibitions

· community uses for social and artistic events

2.7 The revenue costs and management issues have been negotiated between the Town Council and the College. A management committee will oversee the running of the facility which will probably be formed of representatives of the following organisations:

· Totton College 3

· Totton and Eling Town Council 3

· New Forest District Council 2

· Hampshire County Council 1

· Voluntary groups 1

2.8 The future costs of maintenance and repairs to the structure will be met by the Town Council. The running costs are planned to be met by Totton College which will manage the building and its programme. The Town Council is emphatic that no revenue funding is expected or required from either the District or County Councils.

2.9 This management arrangement has often in the past restricted the availability of facilities under education management depending often on the attitude of the staff involved. This may again be the case here but the financial commitment of the College may mean that it needs the income from the facility to contribute to its finances but if this is insufficient to offset the costs then the availability may be restricted. It might be difficult to impose any restrictions to the capital grant as the operation will be in a different timescale.

3. Capital Funding

3.1 As the project plan currently states, the development might be in two phases. These total £757,000 together which will allow for the renovations of the building making it safe and secure and then will turn the building into a full use theatre and arts centre. Budget costs have been provided and these seem appropriate for the scale of the conversion.

3.2 The other funding for the scheme is coming from a number of sources and these have been identified as follows:

4. Financial Implications

4.1 The cost estimates of the renovation are reasonable for the scale of this project. The Recreation and Heritage Capital Programme contains sufficient funds for a £50,000 allocation in 2003/04 for a capital grant to Totton and Eling Town Council for the works at Hanger Farm.

4.2 It is recommended that the grant is made subject to conditions that the activity programme be inclusive of young people and a public arts programme is managed such that thirty professional events are held each year. This needs to be contained within a suitable business plan approved by the Director of Recreation and Heritage before the grant is given

5. Legal Implications

5.1 The County Council is able to utilise broad powers under the Local Government Act 1972 to provide financial support for the arts. In particular, Section 145 of the Act enables the Council to contribute towards the expenses of doing anything necessary or expedient for any of a number of purposes, including the provision of entertainment of any nature, or the provision of a theatre, concert hall, dance hall or other premises suitable for entertainment. The powers include the ability to contribute towards the expenses of maintaining a band or orchestra and towards the development and improvement of the knowledge, understanding and practice of the arts.

Recommendation

That a capital grant of £50,000 be made to Totton and Eling Town Council for the conversion of Hanger Farm into an arts centre subject to the standard conditions including that a full business plan is approved by the Director of Recreation and Heritage prior to paying the grant.

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

Hanger Farm Business Plan Arts Office file

Letters from Town Clerk to councillors and officers Arts Office file

Records of telephone conversations Arts Office file