Agenda Item No. 9
THE VALE OF GLAMORGAN COUNCIL
CABINET 19TH SEPTEMBER 2007
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC REGENERATION
BARRY TOWN HALL - EXHIBITION AREA
Purpose of Report
1. To consider additional information relating to the proposal to introduce a Coffee Bar facility within the Exhibition area of Barry Town Hall.
Background
2. Cabinet considered a report on this proposal at its meeting on 25th July 2007. It was resolved:
(1) THAT the option to introduce a Coffee Shop/Bar facility within the Exhibition area be agreed in principle.
(2) THAT a marketing exercise be carried out to gauge the quality of potential providers of a Coffee Shop/Bar facility.
(3) THAT an examination be made of the Library service taking responsibility for the remaining Exhibition area.
(4) THAT the capital and revenue costs of operating the Exhibition/Coffee Shop/Bar area be identified in full and reported back to Cabinet.
(5) THAT the further report to Cabinet include consideration of the additional information that had arisen since the original report had been proposed.
(Cabinet Minute C3156 refers)
Relevant Issues and Options
3. Work has already commenced on Resolutions (1) to (4). In relation to Resolution (5), attached to this report as an Appendix (PDF) are some points of consideration received from the Arts Council of Wales.
4. With specific reference to the income generation part of the Arts Council document, the suggestions made are all useful but the necessity remains to provide core funding to underwrite the organisation and supervision of the Gallery, including dealing with the hire fees (if agreed), the sale commissions etc. There is no provision for such costs in the Directorate’s revenue budget. In terms of the Arts Council Grants, these still require the Council to continue full funding following the expiry of the Grant. Again no such funding has been identified. In any case many of the ideas proposed by the Arts Council can still be pursued within the context of the remaining Exhibition area, which will still be substantial.
5. In addition to the above attachment, information relating to the Citizen’s Panel research of Barry residents is also attached (PDF). Whilst this survey was carried out prior to the opening of the Library in November 2006, its findings would appear to indicate that, on the basis of the sample, a Coffee facility would be welcome at the Town Hall. In respect of the Coffee Bar, interest has already been received from one private sector business.
Resource Implications (Financial and Employment)
6. All options will require the identification of additional resources with or without the Arts Council Grant. The likely cost is around £20,000 p.a., including on costs, further information will need to be identified once a preferred option is finalised.
Legal Implications (to include Human Rights Implications)
7. In order to protect the Council’s interests, a suitable Agreement would need to be entered into with an appropriate private sector company for the provision of a Coffee Bar.
Crime and Disorder Implications
8. There are no specific implications to this proposal.
Equal Opportunities Implications (to include Welsh Language Issues)
9. The facility will be open to all sectors of society.
Corporate/Service Objectives
10. Encouraging the regeneration of town centres is an important part of the Council’s Corporate Plan.
Policy Framework and Budget
11. This report is a matter for Executive decision by Cabinet.
Consultation (including Ward Member Consultation)
12. This is a broad town centre issue affecting the whole of Barry and therefore no specific Ward Member has been consulted.
Appropriate Scrutiny Committee
13. Corporate Resources
Recommendations
It is recommended that Cabinet reaffirm its previous recommendations.
Reasons
(1) To agree a way forward
Background Papers
Attached
Contact Officer: Rob Quick – Telephone 01446 704610
Officers consulted:
Head of Economic Development and Leisure
Operational Manager Leisure and Tourism
Director of Learning and Development
Legal Services – Committee Reports
Principal Accountant
Town Centre Manager
Rob Quick
Director of Environmental and Economic Regeneration