Issue - meetings

This report provides initial findings from the community consultation exercise undertaken in respect of Victoria Hall, Radstock and considers opportunities and possible options to take forward for the future use of the building.

Sue Hill in a statement [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix 4] asked Cabinet to bring Victoria Hall back into use so that her company could offer weekend dance classes, as they had once been able to do in the Hall.

Councillor Eleanor Jackson in a statement [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix 5] emphasised the impressive exterior of Victoria Hall despite its internal dilapidation.  She appealed to Cabinet to recognise it as a heritage asset and as a jewel in the crown of the town.  She was not sure that the report fully reflected this.

Amanda Leon (Radstock Action Group) in a statement [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix 6] urged the Cabinet to ensure that Victoria Hall would become a building fit for future use so that the community could take pride in a building which it helps to develop and run.

Bruce Shearn in a statement reminded the Cabinet of the Victoria Hall’s historical problems with disability access.  He felt that the funds being proposed to be spent on the Hall would be better spent on improving another facility.

Colin Currie in a statement [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix 7] said that it was ironic that the Cabinet were meeting in a venue so near to the Victoria Hall, which if it were suitably renovated, would have served so much better as a venue.  He felt that the Hall should be seen as a valuable asset and that the cost of refurbishment would be an excellent investment in the community.

Oliver Bevan read a statement on behalf of Rupert Bevan (Chair, Friends of Radstock Victoria Hall) [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix 8] which explained the history behind Victoria Hall and the determination of the townspeople to save it.  He believed the Hall could be self-financing, but would need a capital investment to save it.

Heather Chipperfield (Radstock Action Group) in a statement reminded Cabinet that the Victoria Hall had in the past provided very good facilities for young people to play snooker without the availability of alcohol, and had been used for so many other activities.  She acknowledged that disability access was a problem but said that with the right investment all its problems could be overcome and it could again become a great asset for the community who held it very dear.

Terry Weakes in an ad hoc statement said that, just as Churchill had wanted to save St Paul’s Cathedral because of its significance to the community, so the same must be said for Victoria Hall.  He reminded the Cabinet that the Hall had been built with miners’ hard-earned wages, and now must be saved by the Council as a community facility into the future.

Irene Burchill, a resident of Radstock,said in an ad hoc statement  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36