This report seeks approval for funding to make improvements to the Hexagon Theatre.

The Committee considered a report which set out the details of funding applied to the Arts Council England’s (ACE) Creative Foundations Fund for £2,068,000 of grant funding, with match funding of £230,500 being provided by the Council (consisting of: £109,000 in-kind contribution, £71,500 fundraising and £50,000 capital funding). The funding would be for improvements to the Hexagon Theatre seating, drainage, fire stopping and fire door remedial works. 

If successful the Director of Culture, Leisure and Skills would accept the grant offer and, the Executive Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services in consultation with the Director of Legal and Governance and the Director of Finance would progress the procurement and enter into the necessary contracts to carry out the works.

In the event of the Arts Council England (ACE) bid being unsuccessful, a capital supplementary budget of £564,000 was requested to replace the stall and arena seating in the Hexagon Theatre’s main auditorium and for the costs of this investment to be met through revenue savings of £18,800 per year.  The drainage, fire stopping and fire door remedial work would remain unfunded and either required funding through existing budgets or required a  Capital Bid submitted via the usual budget setting process. 

Resolved –

(1)       That if the Arts Council England bid was successful for £2,068,000 of grant funding with match funding of £230,500, the grants spend be approved and the Executive Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services in consultation with the Director of Legal & Democratic Services and the Director of Finance be authorised to enter into all necessary contracts to deliver the outputs of the bid;

(2)       That if the Arts Council England grant was unsuccessful, that spend for £564,000 be approved to replace the arena and stall seating at the Hexagon and the Executive Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services in consultation with the Director of Legal & Democratic Services and the Director of Finance be authorised to enter into all necessary contracts to supply and install new arena and stall seating in the Hexagon main auditorium.