Archived decisions

Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Recreation and Heritage Item 12

17 July 2003

Capital Support for the Leigh Park Crafts Initiative, Havant

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 allocation of £40,000 be made for the Leigh Park Crafts Initiative from the Recreation and Heritage Capital Programme 2004/05.

2. Reason

2.1 To support the capital needs of the Leigh Park Crafts Initiative, Havant which is due to be built during 2004.

3. Other options considered and rejected - Making no allocation will mean the project will not achieve enough resources to make it sustainable and reduce the confidence of other funders.

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 12

17 July 2003

Capital Support for the Leigh Park Crafts Initiative, Havant

Report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage

Contact: Michael Fuller Ext: 6016

1. Introduction

1.1 The Leigh Park Crafts Initiative (LPCI) is a new facility planned for a site next to the Community Centre in Leigh Park, Havant. The LPCI will comprise of a series of workshops for crafts people and two training spaces which will be the focus of a varied programme of training activities for the local community, crafts people and arts professionals.

1.2 The LPCI Project is one element of the larger ambitions of the MOMC Project which aims to establish a world class facility for contemporary crafts and a Crafts Development Agency (CDA) for the South East region. The LPCI project has been established by Hampshire County Council in partnership with Arts Council England, South East and Havant Borough Council.

2. The Leigh Park Crafts Initiative Capital Proposal

2.1 The scheme for the LPCI has been developed by Hampshire County Architects. This new build proposes to include a minimum of five crafts workshops, two training rooms and an office for staff. Architectural plans to RIBA stage B have been produced which include preliminary designs and the financial dimensions of the project.

2.2 The site for the proposed development is located behind the community centre, library and newly opened Apex Centre in Leigh Park. The effective site area which has been allocated for this development by Havant Borough Council as their contribution to the project is 930 square metres and has an estimated value of £120,000.

3. Capital Funding

3.1 The current proposal is in accordance with a schedule of accommodation prepared by Hampshire County Architects which details a facility including 5-15 workshops and two training spaces at a cost of £1.2 million. An application has been submitted to Arts Council England by Hampshire County Council for £400,000 and by Havant Borough Council to the Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) for £225,000. Havant Borough Council are also seeking to provide in the region of £30,000 towards the capital costs of this project from SRB receipts. The remaining funding required to meet the £1.32m scheme will be found from other external sources. A professional fundraiser will be appointed to work in conjunction with Hampshire County Council's External Funding Officer.

3.2 This capital project has been designed using a modular approach so that if the total funding gap is not met the project can still proceed on a smaller scale. The table below outlines the identified income streams:

    Funder

    Applied for

    £'000

    To be applied for £'000

    Arts Council England

    400

    SRB

    225

    Hampshire County Council

    40

    Havant Borough Council

        Land value

    30

    120

    Other sources

    505

    Total

    815

    505

    Overall total

    1,320

4. The Leigh Park Crafts Initiative Trust

4.1 The Leigh Park Crafts Initiative Trust Limited was established in 2002 to manage and run the LPCI facility once the building is complete. They were recently awarded a Regional Arts Lottery Programme Grant of £27,000 by Arts Council England, South East to run a Crafts Outreach Programme within the Leigh Park and wider Havant area. This will be a pilot programme of activities including workshops and demonstrations for local residents and will form the basis for the programme of training activities at the LPCI once open. The building will be owned by Havant Borough Council and leased to the LPCI Trust.

5. Financial Implications

5.1 The costs estimated for the project are reasonable for the scale and nature of the development which include 10% towards fixtures, fittings and equipment for the facility. The Recreation and Heritage Capital Programme contains sufficient funds for a £40,000 allocation from 2004/05 which together with funding from Arts Council England, SRB and Havant Borough Council will enable the scheme to be realised. Any additional funding secured through further avenues of fundraising will enable a larger facility to be built.

5.2 It is recommended that the identified funding be allocated to the Leigh Park Crafts Initiative to support the needs of the project and secure the partnership funding of £1.28m.

6. Legal Implications

6.1 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 allocation of £40,000 be made for the Leigh Park Crafts Initiative from the Recreation and Heritage Capital Programme 2004/05.

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

RALP Application 2003 Arts Office file

LPCI Project Team Minutes Arts Office file

Coherent Proposal research report Arts Office file

Market demand research report Arts Office file