Archived decisions
Hampshire County Council
Executive Member - Recreation and Heritage Item 2
13 September 2007
Future Proposals for Andover Chapel
Report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage
Contact: Russell Cleaver ext. 6883 e-mail: [email protected]
1. Introduction
1.1 Test Valley Borough Council owns a small Victorian Chapel in the grounds of St. Mary's Church in Andover that has long ceased to be used in a religious capacity. This chapel is in a good state of repair, it is not a listed building. Hampshire County Council have been asked if they would contribute as a partner to the conversion of this chapel into a new use that would benefit the residents of Andover
1.2 The premises ceased to be a working Chapel toward the end of the1940's and from then up until the mid 70's the building had been utilized as office space for council employees. From then until now it has since been maintained as a simple storage space for the Parks Department. Most recently the Chapel has been completely cleared in preparation for its conversion to its proposed use as an arts space and exhibition area.
1.3 The capital costs are estimated at £100,000 and the project seeks a one-off sum of £20,000 from Hampshire County Council as part matching funding for an imminent Arts Council capital grant application. No revenue contribution from HCC is being sought. TVBC state that there is no other dedicated studio spaces for up-coming or professional community artists to work from in the North of Hampshire. Consequently, once a revenue business plan has been approved, it is proposed that this project should be supported.
2. Recommendation
2.1 It is recommended that £20,000 is made available to assist with the capital cost of the refurbishment of Andover Chapel in order for it to be converted into an Arts and Exhibition Studio.
3. Background
3.1 Over the last 3 years Test Valley Borough Council has been working to create partnership support by which the building might again be used by the local community; for the local community.
3.2 A local trust organisation, a registered charity and limited company, known as the Test Valley Arts Foundation have become champions of the idea to reinvigorate and convert the Chapel into a dedicated Arts studio and exhibition space. At the point of seeking further advice and consultation the Foundation approached Hampshire County Council for help and assistance in determining how such a building might be sensitively adapted for such a new purpose.
3.3 To date the Recreation and Heritage Department have supported this project by supplying a plan of how the Chapel could be converted to its new arts use. Another task was to clear the interior of the building to allow close inspection of the large interior. Since its completion, the building has been revealed to be in good structural condition.
4. Strategic Fit
4.1 As part of the HCC's evolving Arts Strategy this project reflects our policies in two ways; by supporting the development of a sustainable Arts & Creative industry infrastructure and also by developing the under-represented area of visual arts and craft practice with appropriate colleagues.
4.2 For Test Valley Borough Council, this Chapel's conversion into an arts studio meets their local priorities. The project is felt to fit well with a more detailed plan of town centre regeneration.
4.3 It is the intention that the Chapel; (with a working title of "Chapel Arts") will complement the community outreach and education programme that is currently being offered at both TVBC's "The Lights" cultural centre and the Hampshire County Council's Andover Museum. A dialogue exists between the staff at each of these facilities and it is felt that the Chapel will build and strengthen the creative opportunities for local community groups and schools to participate.
4.4 The local authority planning service has been consulted and within the next 8 weeks the full planning application goes before members with a recommendation from officers to approve the plans for change of use to an arts space. This action will be the necessary pre-requisite for a subsequent grant aid application to the Arts Council
4.5 A submission for Arts Council grant aid will also require the completion of a revenue business plan.
4.6 The church body itself has been consulted about the proposed new use of the Chapel, the project scheme itself enjoys the full backing from the vicar of St. Mary's' Church.
5. Financial Implications
5.1 The proposed capital budget is suggested as follows: £100,000
EXPENDITURE
Refurbishment: £80,000
Equipment and Fittings: £10,000
Professional Fees: £10,000
£100,000
INCOME
Arts Council £50,000
HCC £20,000
Test Valley Borough Council £14,000
Test Valley Arts Foundation £16,000
£100,000
5.2 Test Valley Borough Council will provide staff time and financial resources to back the project; providing a sum of £14,000 as a one off contribution, whilst also ensuring that an on-going amount of £1,000 per annum is listed within their annual arts budget for general purposes and assisting in any related maintenance costs.
5.3 Similarly; the support from the Test Valley Arts Foundation is to be matched by a one off grant of £16,000 to help pay for capital costs.
5.4 The main financial support is to be sought from Arts Council England - South East; under the Grants for the Arts scheme; to which an application of £50,000 is to be submitted within the next month. Initial discussions have taken place with Arts Council staff and the advice was received to proceed with the bid. Although no guarantees can be made, early signs offer promising and positive feedback.
5.5 The Recreation & Heritage Department contribution would come from existing budgets: Arts Grant, £5,000; Andover Community Budget, £5,000; Policy Fund, £5,000 and Capital, £5,000. No further request for funding is anticipated. A condition of providing this contribution will be the satisfactory completion of an Andover Chapel business plan by the Test Valley Arts Foundation
5.6 Test Valley Arts Foundation will obtain advice and support from "Making Space" in Havant in producing the business plan for the Chapel. Revenue is to be primarily generated by the rent of space for up to 4 artists using the Chapel, based on a similar hiring schedule introduced at "Making Space". This can provide a model for detailing hire schedule rates and for recruiting and advertising for artists and craftspeople to use the studio.
6. Legal Implications
6.1 A legal agreement will be established between Test Valley Borough Council and Test Valley Arts Foundation Trust; to which a peppercorn rent will be agreed. The ownership of The Chapel will remain with Test Valley Borough Council; however the running and management of the building will be with the Trust.
6.2 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 expendient 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 development and improvement of the knowledge, understanding and practice of the arts.
7. Impact Assessment
7.1 No group or organisation should be excluded from any benefit arising from this recommendation.
8. Local Member Consultation
8.1 Councillor David Kirk is very supportive of the proposal. Councillor Robin Hughes has made the following comment:
"I have read the draft report and looked at the planning application concerning this proposal. I am fully supportive of the Chapel Arts - Andover Project. The conversion of this chapel into a new use, that of an arts space and exhibition area will benefit the residents of Andover. The partnership approach is to be encouraged and I would ask that Councillor Snaith, Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage, award in full the £20,000 requested. I would very much hope that the commitment demonstrated by the partnership of Hampshire County Council, Test Valley Arts Foundation and Test Valley Borough Council will also persuade the Arts Council to award in full the £50,000 requested of them".
LINKS TO THE CORPORATE STRATEGY
Yes No
Hampshire safer and more secure for all
Maximising well-being _
Enhancing our quality of place _
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.
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2. Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.
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