Agenda item

The following members of the public made statements to the Panel:

1 Andrew Ellison - Director Next Stage Theatre Company. A copy of this statement is held on the Council minute book.

Councillor Furse asked what would be the desired length of the lease. Mr Ellison stated that it would need to be at least 60 years to generate the hypothetical value for the balance sheet.

Councillor Elliott referred to the 99-year lease and asked about succession planning. Mr Ellison explained that there is a steering group and succession planning is part of their work. The shares would pass to our daughter, but the functions would be taken on by others.

In response to a question from Councillor Hodge, Mr Ellison confirmed that the Company is registered at Companies House under ‘Charitable Purposes’.

In response to a question from Councillor Hughes, Mr Ellison explained that if at any time, anyone wanted to change the aims of the company, they would have to change the Corporate Objectives. Michael Hewitt, Council Monitoring Officer, explained that this would entail the dissolution of one company and transferal to another.

2 Alison Paine - steering group member. A copy of this statement is held on the Council minute book.

In response to a question from Councillor Dr Kumar, Ms Paine confirmed that £30,000 had been raised for repairs to the roof and that this was all from small donations. She further explained that Capital funding required security of tenure which the CAT (Community Asset Transfer) would provide.

3 Barbara Ingeldew - Next Stage member and Drama Chair of the Mid-Somerset Festival. A copy of this statement is held on the Council minute book.

4. Jackie Herring - Artistic Director of the Jane Austen Festival. A copy of this statement is held on the Council minute book.

Councillor Dr Kumar mentioned that there were other theatres in Bath such as the Edge Theatre at the University. Ms Herring explained that the Mission Theatre is in the centre of the city and that many people arrive in regency costume and are photographed in the city centre. She further explained that the Mission building was versatile in the seats can be moved and it can be used for mid-week events.

5. Lily Styles - ex-Next Stage Youth Group. A copy of this statement is held on the Council minute book.

Councillor Furse asked about the background of the young people that attend in terms of inclusiveness and diversity. Ms Styles explained that in her experience, the group was wonderfully diverse and that members come from further afield than Bath such as Wiltshire and Bristol.

6. Ann Ellison - Artistic Director Next Stage and The Mission Theatre. A copy of this statement is held on the Council minute book.

Councillor Furse asked how the community outreach programme engages with young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. Ms Ellison explained that her background is in teaching largely in schools in Bristol that have pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds, and this led her to create a theatre that is accessible and  relatable. She further explained how the theatre runs workshops and also offers discounted tickets.

In response to a question from Councillor Hodge, Ms Ellison explained that there is a bursary fund of up to £1,000 per year that youth group members can apply for. She further explained that if the CAT is awarded then they hope to extend the outreach work and employ a youth co-ordinator.

The following Councillors made statements to the Panel:

1.  Councillor Jackson made a statement in support of the call in. A copy of this statement is held on the Council minute book.

2.  Councillor May’s statement in support of the callin was read by Councillor Blackburn. A copy of this statement is held on the Council minute book.