Agenda item

This is a routine report for an update on Project Delivery activity.

Councillor Eleanor Jackson addressed the Panel on the options for the future use of the Victoria Hall, Radstock. A copy of her statement can be found on the Panel’s Minute Book, a summary is set out below.

She stated that two years ago the Major Projects department tried to get the building converted into a business hub on the strength of money allocated in the 2011 budget for economic regeneration in Radstock. 

She said that this plan was abandoned in the face of general outrage, channelled by her, and a decision was taken at Cabinet on 11 July 2012 that it should remain in community use with ‘meeting rooms, exhibition space and relocation of the town library into the building’. She welcomed the decision and waited for the full results of the public consultation (316 responses) which never came.

She informed them that on 14 November 2012 (Ref E2458) Cabinet authorised the necessary measures to achieve this, following a feasibility study, with the installation of a new lift, and relocation of the library and the sale of the caretaker’s house. In December she said that she met the architect with Cllr Crossley and Cllr Bellotti and reminded them that Radstock Town Council were interested in moving back into the library.

She added that refurbishment to this plan would have cost about £875,000 and that she had found two potential purchasers for the library when she was told that community groups would be contacted ‘in due course’.

She questioned why Cllr Crossley was mysteriously afflicted with amnesia and declared there was no alternative to the commercialisation of the priceless heritage building.

She acknowledged that a revenue stream from a commercial rent was an attractive proposition, but still felt that Radstock was the loser as the hours of availability and the facilities would be very limited compared with previous use.

She stated that there had been a total absence of any consideration of an Equalities Impact (especially on the young people using the garden, some of whom are disabled) and it was not right to switch suddenly to a totally different (commercial) plan without reference to the community.

She concluded by requesting the Panel to monitor the project carefully – and for the Cabinet and officers to apologise for the destruction of a unique Victorian interior in the name of progress.

Councillor Gerry Curran asked why new bus shelters were not put in place while the previous work on the High Street, Bath took place.

The Senior Project Manager replied that they were subject to a separate future planning application.

Councillor Mathew Blankley asked if the plans for the extension to the Newbridge Park & Ride were due to be submitted by the end of the month.

The Senior Project Manager replied that they were.

Councillor Ben Stevens, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Development commented that the Co-working Hub situated at The Guildhall had 12 businesses currently using the facilities and were aiming to raise that number to 30. He added that a launch event was being planned for September.