Agenda item

Scrutiny Committee will be reviewing and providing feedback on the draft Cabinet report considering the Future Direction of The Beacon, Wantage. (Cabinet report and appendices are attached).

The chair agreed a two-minute break for attendees, ahead of beginning discussion of the following item.

Cabinet member for Community Health and Wellbeing opened the item and described a brief history of the centre over recent years, including Covid closure and redeployed staff, leading to reviews of operational changes and use, resulting in the report today. The report sets out future options and an action plan for Cabinet approval.

The centre provided contribution to community health and wellbeing, but also there was financial responsibility to consider. The team had created an action plan to maximise income opportunities and reduce any further funding required.

There were several measures to improve performance, some had already begun to ensure the in-house model operated as best as possible. The Beacon team would be giving updates to the officer team, Cabinet members and key stakeholders to monitor progress.

Supporting the Cabinet member was the Head of Development and Corporate Landlord (Head of Service), and The Arts Centre Manager and the Deputy Chief Executive for Place were online.

Members raised the following comments and questions:

·       A member questioned whether there were alternative ownership strategies? It was felt the report mentioned different ownership options but gave reasons not to do that. Cabinet member felt that although in Wantage, the centre did service other surrounding areas, and this was confirmed by other member’s experience and expressed that it was a well-loved resource. She stressed the importance of getting the in-house model in better shape to see what can happen next. She explained that some of the information was outdated post-pandemic, but she was optimistic that the action plan would progress improvements.

·       Fundraising was raised as being important. It was explained by Cabinet member that £22k was budgeted mainly for a fundraising officer.

·       A member asked about engaging with the community, a vibrant community existed that may be willing to help turn around the facility or are doing similar activities. Head of Service explained that consultation with local groups was included in the action plan. The Arts Centre Director explained that many consultation activities had been conducted already and would continue. There were other teams that would be involved – community engagement team and enablement teams.

·       A member considered that it was expensive to keep going, a cost to residents, especially those that don’t use it or know of it. Felt that fundraising should have been done much sooner. Cabinet member responded that we needed to use the action plan to help bring the in-house service where it needed to be in the meantime, and decisions needed to be made on what was adequate funding.

·       A member asked whether previous transfers to Town Council ownership had worked well and could there be something to learn from. From committee members who had some knowledge, it was suggested that it was mixed. A member suggested a private operator would be an option and that he felt the building needed some refurbishment.

·       Was it the case that the action plan was the only option until any ownership discussions were had? It was responded that those discussions with Town Council were key.

Just before 9pm, chair asked members if they wished to extend the meeting by the allowable 30 minutes as per the Constitution. All agreed by a vote.

·       A member expressed concern over the age of the building. New housing developments mean that new infrastructure was built around developments, therefore further outdating the Beacon. Another member suggested an opposite view that we should look to work with what we already have.

·       A member considered that a time-limit was required to move things forward meaningfully.

·       Climate bond fundraising was mentioned as an option.

·       Can ward members be involved in a brainstorming exercise as they will know groups who may want involvement.

·       A member considered that there were many plans within the action plan for the next 12 months, so another 12 months’ time may show some positive news and seemed a reasonable expectation.

·       Best value considerations – officer confirmed that this was considered.

·       Members felt that the fundraising aspect should be for larger sums and schemes.

·       A member asked what was different this time around, in terms of the plans to improve the service. Officer explained that baseline data and reflection from consultation reports was incorporated into the action plan.

·       A member asked about the 18-month timeline for revisiting decarbonisation, and the 12-month timeline for discussions with Wantage Town Council. Officer explained that fire safety was being addressed through CIL, decarbonisation would be revisited.

In summary:

There was some caution shown by members regarding the finances of the arts centre, but overall the committee agreed that accelerated progress of the action plan and discussions with stakeholders would bring results in 12 months with clear options for going forward being wanted. Chair did check whether committee wanted any confidential discussion (from confidential appendices), but members felt it wasn’t needed.

Recommendations:

Scrutiny committee asked Cabinet to consider the following:

1. Request that Cabinet accelerate work on the action plan, particularly focussing on fundraising efforts, future commercial options, revisiting decarbonisation timescales, ownership structure and discussions with Wantage Town Council, with clear time parameters for the whole action plan.
2. Scrutiny were in support of revisiting consultation with local ward members - to meet, share ideas and contacts – will any community action groups want to be involved in the Beacon’s future? (Officer added that there was an action to set up a Community Board.)

Action: Scrutiny Committee would like an update brought to a meeting of scrutiny in quarter three as stated in the report.

Thanks were given to those involved in the project.