This report presents the Community & Wellbeing Committee with the Report of the Scrutiny Review Task Group on its Review of Venues – Bourne Hall and Hook Road Arena, approved by the Audit, Crime & Disorder and Scrutiny Committee.

Following consideration, the Committee:

(1)          Received the Report of the Scrutiny Review Task Group on Bourne Hall and Hook Road Arena (approved by the Audit, Crime & Disorder and Scrutiny Committee 11 October 2016);

(2)          Agreed to establish a working party comprising the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Community & Wellbeing Committee and Officers to undertake any agreed further investigations into securing improvements at Bourne Hall and Hook Road Arena;

(3)          Supported the £82,000 refurbishment of the kitchen at Bourne Hall from the repairs and renewals fund as contained within the 2016/17 revenue budget and noted that the Strategy and Resources Committee would be requested to consider this release of funds;

(4)          Agreed to receive a fully costed business case identifying the funding sources for each project prior to the commencement of any improvement works at Bourne Hall.

The Committee received a report produced by the Scrutiny Review Task Group with regard to its review of venues – Bourne Hall and Hook Road Arena. The Scrutiny Review Task Group’s report had been approved by the Audit, Crime & Disorder and Scrutiny Committee at its meeting of 27 October 2016.

The Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Audit, Crime & Disorder and Scrutiny Committee were in attendance, and provided the meeting with a verbal summary of the Scrutiny Review Task Group’s report.

The Committee considered the report and the following matters were noted:

a)            Scrutiny Reviews of Epsom Playhouse and Ewell Court House. It was noted that the Scrutiny Review Task Group would undertake reviews of Epsom Playhouse and Ewell Court House during 2017.

b)            Bourne Hall Museum. It was noted that the Scrutiny Review Task Group had recommended that the Bourne Hall Museum should continue to be operated as it was under current arrangements, and felt that it was a valuable asset to the Borough. The Committee noted that it was not currently possible to accurately measure the number of visitors to the museum. The possibility of introducing a voluntary donation for visitors was raised.

c)            Bourne Hall catering contract  arrangements. The Committee considered that confirmation of event and banquet catering arrangements for Bourne Hall was of great importance to the commercial success of the venue. Officers informed the Committee that it was intended to have new catering arrangements formalised and in place by April 2017.

d)            Bourne Hall kitchen refurbishment. The Committee was informed that works to refurbish the kitchen at Bourne Hall would cost £32,000 more than the initial estimate included within the committee report, of £50,000. The cost of the works were therefore estimated to be £82,000. The Committee was informed that this additional cost was due to the need to replace the wiring, extraction and drainage systems for the kitchen and undertake asbestos removal. It was noted that if the Committee supported the proposed refurbishment of the kitchen at £82,000, it would be necessary to request the Strategy and Resources Committee to approve the release of the additional funding required.

It was noted that if the refurbishment was approved, a formal tender exercise would be undertaken, and that the works would be project managed by the Council’s Head of Venues and Facilities. It was anticipated that if approved, the works would begin in January 2017 and be completed by the end of February 2017.

Following consideration, the Committee:

(1)          Received the Report of the Scrutiny Review Task Group on Bourne Hall and Hook Road Arena (approved by the Audit, Crime & Disorder and Scrutiny Committee 11 October 2016);

(2)          Agreed to establish a working party comprising the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Community & Wellbeing Committee and Officers to undertake any agreed further investigations into securing improvements at Bourne Hall and Hook Road Arena;

(3)          Supported the £82,000 refurbishment of the kitchen at Bourne Hall from the repairs and renewals fund as contained within the 2016/17 revenue budget and noted that the Strategy and Resources Committee would be requested to consider this release of funds;

(4)          Agreed to receive a fully costed business case identifying the funding sources for each project prior to the commencement of any improvement works at Bourne Hall.