Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Recreation and Heritage Item 9

13 May 2004

Capital Grant for The Phoenix Arts Centre, Bordon

Report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage

Contact: Michael Fuller Ext:6016 [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following Decision is sought:

That a capital grant of £20,000 be made to The Phoenix Arts Centre, Bordon for the repair and improvement of the Centre to increase disabled access and repair weather damage.

2. Reason

2.1 To allow The Phoenix to repair its building and work on a bid to gain additional funding from Arts Council England South East so as to provide a better arts service to the people of East Hampshire.

2.2 The work at The Phoenix supports the Corporate Strategy elements of improving the quality of life for residents of the county, maximising life opportunities through its programme with Social Services and building a strong community with local people running the Centre.

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 other Executive Member 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 9

13 May 2004

Capital Grant for The Phoenix Arts Centre, Bordon

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 repair and improvement of The Phoenix Centre in Barbados House, Bordon. This report describes the scheme and recommends financial support for the capital works.

2. The Proposed Improvements at The Phoenix Centre, Bordon

2.1 The Phoenix Centre is the trading name of the Barbados House Association which occupies Barbados House, Bordon. This is a two storey building which used to house an army school and is owned by the Ministry of Defence. The lease on the building has another seven years to run though there are talks already about a further lease or a sale to the lessees. The lessee is an independent charitable company which runs the facility to develop the arts in the Bordon area. It is the purpose of the centre to improve the facilities to make them more in line with those which may be expected by a modern audience.

2.2 The main facilities of the building are:

· the theatre with its 77 raked seats and well equipped lighting and sound facilities.

· costume hire space with the Phoenix Wardrobe, props and accessories available for hire.

· small bar for use with the theatre and a café for other times in the day.

· studio spaces for artists with three currently in residence. There is also a meeting room/rehearsal space for hire.

· exhibition space for local and other artists though this is limited on space.

2.3 The beneficiaries of the Centre are the various people who use the building and those who benefit from the outreach programme. These include the eight members of staff along with the forty freelance actor and artists, four Social Services staff who help with the running of activities for up to thirty adults with learning and physical difficulties over five days per week. Also there is the general public who attend thirty shows per year of seventy five performances and children's activities in art and drama. The amateur group with a membership of forty produce three shows over twenty one evenings.

2.4 The capital improvements currently envisaged will repair the damage caused by wear and tear and the weather. This includes

· replacing the back doors to improve disability access

· renew the gutters and down pipes

· repoint and seal the four corners of the building where there is water penetration. This will include repairs to the internal spaces as well.

· redecoration to the theatre, main hire rooms and the office space.

· upgrade and alarm the fire doors

· link the alarms to a call centre

· replace or refurbish the front doors for easier access

· install an induction loop in the theatre

· resurface the car park with new car park indications

· install a new heating and hot water boiler

3. Capital Funding

3.1 The costings for the items listed in paragraph 2.3 above add up to £85,000. The items are able to be phased in the order as listed depending on the Phoenix's capacity for fundraising. At a meeting of East Hampshire District Council, Arts Council England, South East and Hampshire County Council it was agreed that the four funding bodies would work together on helping the Phoenix improve its facilities. It was agreed that the two councils would help with the emergency improvements and funding the work to examine the best way of improving disability access for users and workers.

3.2 At this stage the spread of funding will be found from these sources. An application to Awards for All will ask for £5,000, East Hampshire District Council will be asked for £15,000, Arts Council England, South East might be able to provide £20,000 which will be a same level of support as that requested from Hampshire County Council. Further stages are needed before Arts Council England, South East can help and these are the access audit and the employment of a consultant to evaluate local people's needs.

4. Financial Implications

4.1 The cost estimates of the renovation are very reasonable for the scale of this project. The Recreation and Heritage Capital Programme contains sufficient funds for a £20,000 allocation in 2004/05 for a capital grant to The Phoenix Centre for the works on the building.

4.2 It is recommended that the grant is made subject to condition that the funding is matched by other funding from East Hampshire District Council and other funding bodies.

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.

6. The Views of the Local Members

6.1 To date two responses have been received from local Members. Councillor John Filer says he is really impressed by the hard work and dedication of the staff for their service to the local people in East Hampshire. He says they deserve as much support as can be given. He urges the Executive Member to do 'all he can to provide adequate financial assistance as possible for this excellent group'. Councillor Cartwright phoned to say he is perfectly happy with the proposal and is very aware of the limited facilities in the town and that the Phoenix is a valuable resource. He is sure any support would be most welcome.

7. Hampshire County Council's Corporate Strategy

7.1 The proposals to repair and improve the facilities at the Phoenix blend well with the overall ambition of the Corporate Strategy in that it intends to increase the quality of life of the people of the county especially those who live near Bordon. The Centre maximises life opportunities through its programme with Social Services with day time classes for adults with learning difficulties which happen on week days. It contributes to the building of strong communities with the opportunity it provides for local people to run the facility by being on the board of directors as well as turning up to help through the week running the bar, café and theatre. There are also chances of joining the participatory programme of drama and music classes. With the Centre being a community arts facility it is possible for many different developments and activities contributing to the Strategy in small but important ways.

Recommendation

That a capital grant of £20,000 be made to The Phoenix Centre for the improvements of the Centre to enable it to continue its programme of arts activities for people in East Hampshire.

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

The Phoenix Centre Application Arts Office file

Note of meeting with

Arts Council England South East and

East Hampshire District Council staff Arts Office file