Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Recreation and Heritage Item 13

17 July 2003

West End Centre Capital Development

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 scheme worth £60,000 can be implemented at the West End Centre, Aldershot using £55,000 contained within the Arts Capital Programme.

2. Reason

2.1 To allow the West End Centre to improved its facilities and increase its capacity.

3. Other options considered and rejected - Making no improvements would very likely mean that the theatre would be closed as the seating is under threat of causing a Health and Safety hazard.

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:

Councillor J. Waddington (date of decision)

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(signature)

Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Recreation and Heritage Item 13

17 July 2003

West End Centre Capital Development

Report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage

Contact: Michael Fuller Ext: 6016

1. Introduction

1.1 Funding has been raised to implement the second phase of the physical improvements at the West End Centre, Aldershot from the Arts Capital Programme and from Arts Council England. The West End Centre is a Hampshire County Council managed arts facility in a building owned by the County Council.

2. The Proposals at West End Centre, Aldershot

2.1 The scheme developed for the West End Centre is a continuation of that which was approved by Arts Panel in March 1997 when the entrance, foyer and art gallery were improved. As part of that scheme the rear entrance was created with a ramp for wheelchair users. Unfortunately, the funding did not allow for improving the studio theatre. This report deals with a scheme to work towards completion of the original proposal to upgrade the Centre for modern use.

2.2 This scheme seeks to improve the theatre seating bleachers, create a new fire exit from the auditorium and make better provision for the public at standing concerts. It is planned that the works will take place during the summer break and a decision to use the Capital Programme at this meeting will allow for this.

2.3 An application was made to Southern and South East Arts in 2002 for funding for the renewal of the retractable platforms and integrated seating. This resulted in an award of up to £30,140. The scheme design will make best use of this funding at the same time as upgrading some of the facilities in the theatre. The new platforms will obstruct one of the current exits but the scheme creates a new double exit where a window now exists. This double exit will facilitate the increase of the numbers of patrons who can use the theatre for a standing concert from 200 to 240.

2.4 The new exit allows for the access from the rear car park to be improved. At present there is a rather uninviting ramp with heavy doors to open to enter the Centre. The doors will be fitted with an automatic opener, with adjacent push pad. Additionally, the area will be enhanced with a series of landings and altered ramps with clear signs from the car park and additional internal signs for Centre users.

2.5 By creating a double fire exit wheelchair users of the theatre have better means of egress to the car park via ramps. The floor of the theatre also requires replacement and this will be done with a non slip, even surface which will be able to take the weight of the new bleacher seating. This seating will feature, in an integrated way, 101 seats which fold into the platforms. The seating will retract to form a back wall to the studio theatre under electric power. This will be safer for the staff and allow for a quicker turnaround for the space. It will also increase the capacity of the theatre from 100 to 120 as well as making the experience much more comfortable for the audiences.

3. Capital Funding

3.1 The value of the capital works within the Centre is £36,000 plus fees of £4,300. The seating will cost £30,000 and this will use the funding from Arts Council England South East which has taken over the promise from its predecessor. use theatre and arts centre. Budget costs have been provided and these seem appropriate for the scale of the conversion.

3.2 The costs associated with this scheme are listed below along with the identified funding:

Costs	£
Costs for the County Architects:
External ramps and landings	21,600
Double fire exit from theatre	1,400
New theatre floor	6,800
Preliminaries and contingencies	6,200
Fees	4,300
Seating Unit
Series TP85 seating unit	19,500
Aisle Lights	452
Electric control unit	2,525
Dismantle and remove old unit	455
Sign making
Supply of aluminium and PVC signs	1,100
Total	64,282
Sources of funding
Hampshire County Council	34,142
Arts Council England South East	30,140
Total	64,282

4. Financial Implications

4.1 The cost estimates of the works and installations are reasonable for the scale of this project. The Recreation and Heritage Capital Programme contains sufficient funds for a £55,000 allocation from funds previously identified for 1999/00, 2000/01 and 2001/02 in the Arts Capital Programme. Together with the grant from Arts Council England there is sufficient to cover the costs of this scheme.

4.2 It is recommended that the identified funding be used for the improvements at the West End Centre in particular to the seating and the new exit. The remaining funds in the Capital Programme against this Centre will be required for alterations to the lighting rig which will be the subject of a report later in the year.

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 the scheme outlined above to improve the seating, bleachers, floor and exit to the theatre space at the West End Centre, Aldershot be approved with the funding held within the Recreation and Heritage Capital Programme to the extent of £34,142 with the remaining allocation being held for a future scheme.

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

Proposed External Improvements; West End Centre Arts Office file

Emails from architects Arts Office file

Descriptions from suppliers Arts Office file

Offer of grant aid from Southern and South East Arts (Arts Council England)

Arts Office file