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Shrewsbury Conference, 4th October 2004, The Music Hall
Issues Raised
Click on a topic to jump down the page to that section.
General Issues - Robin Hooper
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Question/Issue |
Response |
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How much privatisation has the Council done? e.g. facilities management + elsewhere. |
Civic works. Management of markets. Housing administration although that is coming back to Council. |
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Borough of Environmental Excellence: Do you have a clear vision for this - What about traffic? |
Yes - encouraging use of green cars under green transport plan. Identifying this acting upon Air Quality Management areas. Enhancing planting etc. in Borough |
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Sale of Property: How much was paid for:- Guildhall by Morris Oakley Manor by Shropshire Homes Gay Meadow by Jennings? |
These figures are not in the public domain. |
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Is there an objective to spend all the money on projects at once? |
No. The Council has wanted to undertake these projects for many years. There will be £30M or more left after the schemes have been completed. |
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Gay Meadow: The Football Club takes no prisoners. Am I right in thinking that Council leaders, planners and councillors are all subject to the greater need of the Football Club and its bosses? |
There was a public survey in July 2001 in which nearly 70% of people who replied supported the Club and Council working in partnership to facilitate the relocation. |
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Why are Councillors so free to talk to the press? Why doesn't the Council have a press officer for Councillors? |
The Council will not pay for a press officer. It is not a priority. The Councillors and officers all provide information to the press. The press like this as well. |
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Casino: If the Government passes the Gaming Bill this month, will the Borough take advantage of the concession, included in June of this year, to veto the advent of a Casino in this town? Public opinion, as by a recent NOP, is hugely against a change in the present Law. |
The Council will consider any applications for a casino on their merits |
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Raised by Robin Hooper: Possibility of a Casino coming to the town
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A casino as a leisure use would be appropriate in planning terms in a town centre |
Rowley's House/Museums etc - Geraint Morgan
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Question/Issue |
Response |
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Why not put contents of Museum in a refurbished Music Hall, along with a refurbished TIC? (Rowley's House is currently a poor place for a Museum). |
Detailed discussions via a Working Group are already under way which are addressing this very issue. |
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Concerned about how our museums collections will be handled on reorganisation of museums - no damage during moving and storing. How long in store before they can be displayed again? Understand art collections and others in storage at minute - no sign of more space in foreseeable future. Also suggestions that part of collection be disposed of - is this legal? Please clarify! |
This issue is a major part of the brief of the Working Group - see above. Interested parties such as Civic Society, Residents' Association, West Midlands Museums etc are members of this Group. Like all museums, at any one time we have some items on display, many others not. Things in store are constantly being documented, researched, photographed or prepared for our programme of short-term special exhibitions. Care of the collections is the single most important part of the museum professional's job, both day-to-day and during a major project such as a move, which is a long process involving both our own staff and the services of a team of specialist removers. SABC museums work within a national code of conduct for museums and the Council has adopted formally an Acquisition and Disposal Policy, which lays down rigorous procedures. Museum collections do change and develop but disposals are rare and never undertaken for financial gain. |
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Rowley's House - What a wonderful building! It is such a pity that it is spoilt by being surrounded by car parks. It should be enhanced by gardens. |
The future of Rowley's House and its immediate environs is currently being considered. |
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There has been much made about the Sundorne Sports Village which is a welcome addition to our facilities. However, it was disappointing to read in Friday's Star that the indoor bowls centre has been dropped from the project due to lack of funds. The report also indicates that it could possibly be built elsewhere. This is a project which would have benefited many age groups of the population and it is a great disappointment to see it so readily dropped at the eleventh hour. Could we please be given more information regarding this regrettable decision and how money will be available to fund a separate location? |
Officers of the Council are in detailed discussions with the "Bowling Interests" as to alternative ways of providing an indoor bowling centre - not necessarily at Sundorne. The project has not been "dropped", but alternative methods of provision are being investigated in full consultation with the "Bowlers". Officers and Members are fully aware of the immense benefits to all age groups of an indoor bowls facility, but such "benefits" are not being supported by national sporting organisations in the form of grant aid, whilst in other sports they are! A balanced project is being drawn up bearing all these issues in mind. |
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Move to Old Market Hall - disappointed with end use. |
The conversion and end use of the Old Market Hall has been commended by organisations such as English Heritage, The Arts Council, RIBA etc as well as by the many visitors we receive each day. Over 25,000 film goers and over 100,000 visitors have been to the OMH since it opened in Jan 04. |
Quarry/Sports Village - Geraint Morgan
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Question/Issue |
Response |
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Quarry: What happened to all the plans for the Quarry? I thought some money had been allocated for modernisation. |
Major works are continuing in the Quarry in accordance with a Quarry Heritage Plan. A total capital sum of over £2m is allocated and much "visual" work will take place this year. |
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Sports Village: Tennis Centre entrance is a problem. Sold to community but what about cost of running? Facility will be a white elephant. Football pitches are great, but what about financial viability? Tendering? |
The Tennis Centre is a private development at no cost to the taxpayer. The Sports Village is Borough Council led and all monies in both revenue and capital terms have been secured. Tenders will be let in accordance with Financial Regulations. (G Morgan) Tennis Centre is a private provision which has gone through the normal planning process. Road improvements currently underway should negate potential access/egress problems. Sports Village - Revenue plans drawn up provide for investment of capital and potential receipt of annual ground rent allied to provision of a primary care centre which renders the sports village costs neutral in operational terms (A Wallin) |
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Sports Village: Please confirm that in the new Sports Village there will definitely be an indoor long bowls rinks, not short mat. Both flat green bowlers and crown green bowlers enjoy indoor bowls in the winter season. |
There is no provision for indoor bowls, either short or long, in the current Sports Village proposals. (G Morgan) The Sundorne Sports Village will not include an indoor (long rink) bowling arena. The project has not however been "dropped". Alternative methods of provision are currently being investigated in full consultation with the Bowling Steering Committee. (A Wallin) |
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Quarry: Could there possibly be another play area within the Quarry as existing play area gets extremely crowded - possibly at the other end of the Quarry. |
Major monies have recently been spent on the current children's play area. There are no plans to provide another. |
Livestock Market/Tesco/Flaxmill - Peter Jarratt
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Question/Issue |
Response |
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Livestock Market: Why don't they give the land to private auctioneers rather than spending £4 million on it - it should be for the benefit of the farming community. |
The Council is working in partnership with Halls Auctioneers to construct a new livestock market to meet the needs of the industry and with a proposed opening date of January 2006. |
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How much of Tesco money will be invested in North Shrewsbury? |
Capital receipts are utilised to achieve the Council's investment priorities. |
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Flax Mill: How can we let it fall down?
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The Council has used its statutory powers to secure the protection of the listed buildings, including compulsory purchase. |
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Flax Mill: What plans for the Flax Mill after Compulsory Purchase Order? How does it fit into the picture - with New Entertainment Venue etc? |
New supplementary planning guidance has been prepared to guide future development. The Council is working closely with English Heritage and Advantage West Midlands to secure the permanent sustainable future of the Flax Mill. |
Young people and affordable housing - Andy Goldsmith
Young people and affordable housing - Andy Goldsmith
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Question/Issue |
Response |
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Instead of a university the business community want a centre of vocational training. To train and create work for the youth of the town who are leaving at a very high rate. |
The Borough Council is working in partnership to maximise access to opportunities for learning and development and to extend the range of further and higher education provided locally. This includes vocational training opportunities. |
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Bearing in mind the average age of the participants tonight, how much consultation and support was undertaken with youths. |
The Council uses a number of methods to consult including the Shrewsbury Conference. This format however is not attractive to young people and therefore consultation with young people is normally done on the street and at places they attend e.g. youth clubs. |
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Is the Council satisfied with the provision of affordable housing. |
No. The local housing needs survey has identified a big need for more affordable housing. The Council is committed to provide 500 units by the end of 2006 and will continue to provide affordable housing. |
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Housing for youngsters. Expensive/exclusive homes for the rich, but nothing for first time buyers. |
The Council is reviewing its policies in partnership with all the Councils in Shropshire to develop policies and initiatives to maximise the provision of affordable housing much of which will be targeted towards first time buyers. |
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Will the Council be providing informal facilities for children who do not want to use the Mary Webb Sports Centre in Pontesbury? What about the other villages? |
Council officers are in discussions with Young People and the Parish Council in Pontesbury to identify young peoples needs and to develop facilities that meet their needs. Discussions currently centre on a meeting point and BMX track. |
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Provision for young people 14-18 years. Lack of facilities for young people in and around the town i.e. Pontesbury. Youths congregate, but this is unnerving for older generation. Not enough buses into town and to return to the rural areas. They need venues and activities so they do not annoy residents. This could include venues within the town centre. |
Council officers are in discussions with Young People and the Parish Council in Pontesbury to identify young peoples needs and to develop facilities that meet their needs. Discussions currently centre on a meeting point and BMX track. The Council has developed 6 new BMX tracks in the last 3 years in response to young peoples demands. A number of youth clubs also operate in the town and rural areas although a lack of volunteer helpers causes difficulties. |
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Curfews for under 16's - how does it affect policy - have they considered impact on out of school activities. |
There is no curfew on under 16's. The orders in place around the town are dispersal orders. They do not effect the legitimate movement of young people only applying if their gathering is giving rise to alarm distress or nuisance. |
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Is there going to be a curfew order in Bayston Hill? What happens when a curfew is put in place and how will it affect young people? |
No. A Dispersal order has been made for the area around the Parade at Lansdowne Road. The Dispersal Order does not effect the legitimate movement of young people only applying if their gathering is giving rise to alarm distress or nuisance. |
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Young people on the town - what facilities are to be offered at Sundorne Sports Village? |
The Sports village will include mini and junior football pitches, a climbing wall, and cycle track available for use by all the community. In addition a free use BMX/skateboard area is being developed and multi sports games area. (A Goldsmith) A multi-sports court BMX track and skateboard park will be provided offering free and informal access. The sports village general will provide for multi-sport use and multi-generational access. (A Wallin) |
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Age Structure. Conference is not attractive to young people. How many people under 35? Publicity? How many retired? |
The Council uses a number of methods to consult including the Shrewsbury Conference. This format however is not attractive to young people and therefore consultation with young people is normally done on the street and at places they attend e.g. youth clubs. |
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Young People - more and better facilities needed for youngsters. Need for the right facilities to help reduce the amount of under age drinking. Feel this will help to reduce it. Need things for them to do. |
Council officers are in discussions with Young People to identify young peoples needs and to develop facilities that meet their needs. Discussions have led to the development of 6 new BMX tracks in the last 3 years in response to young peoples demands. A number of youth clubs also operate in the town and rural areas although a lack of volunteer helpers causes difficulties. |
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Affordable House - If £4m provided 137 dwellings, how will £6M be used to provide the remaining 363 or is Shrewsbury going to fail? |
The Council is committed to providing 500 units of affordable housing. Around 250 of these units will be provided through planning conditions requiring affordable housing on larger developments. The remaining units will be delivered by a combination of Housing Corporation funding and use of Council resources including land. |
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Is the Council satisfied with the provision of affordable housing? |
No. The local housing needs survey has identified a big need for more affordable housing. The Council is committed to provide 500 units by the end of 2006 and will continue to provide affordable housing. |
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Identity cards for young people to prove age - pursue government on this to combat under age drinking. |
The Council through the Shrewsbury and Atcham Community Safety Partnership supports the use of proof of age cards and is actively encouraging their use by young people and retailers. |
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Concern over - hidden homelessness - young people who cannot leave parental home because of cost of houses - any information or statistics? |
The 2004 housing needs survey identified 2078 concealed households in the Borough of which 90% cannot afford to access the housing market. Last year the Council accepted 146 people as being homeless at home. |
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Young people - measures to attract and keep young people in Shrewsbury - provision of affordable housing a key element to this. |
The Council is committed to provide 500 units by the end of 2006 and will continue to provide affordable housing. |
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The Gay Meadow site - cause for concern - too large - too many houses on the site. More affordable housing required in and around the town. Covenant at the Gay Meadow should be respected. |
The Planning permission to develop the Gay Meadow includes for the provision of 30% affordable housing. Other schemes in town which include affordable housing include the H2O development, and Furrows site redevelopment Coton Hill. |
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Derfald House closes. What's happened to the homeless? Actions to be taken. |
Derfald House provided inadequate temporary accommodation for homeless men. Homeless people are now accommodated in furnished general needs housing with floating support. The Council has developed a Homelessness strategy and is working on prevention of homelessness as a priority. |
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What policy does the Council have to seek to enable people seeking accommodation for the first time, to be able to get on the ladder to hopefully get their own accommodation? |
The Council is enabling the development of affordable housing which includes shared ownership property. The Council is also considering other initiatives including an assisted purchase scheme. |
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What progress is Council making towards targets on homelessness? Does £28m on New Entertainment Venue push homelessness down the agenda? |
Homelessness referrals continue to rise, primarily due to the housing market. The Council has increased resources for homelessness including more prevention work. The Council has developed a Homelessness strategy and is working on prevention of homelessness as a priority. |
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When Initiative Grant money stops - how will the borough continue to support group? |
At the current time no further funding is available. This will be re considered upon completion of the New Entertainment Venue and the completion of the Tesco's deal. The Council will continue to support groups to access funding from other sources. |
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Voluntary Groups - How will funding be consistent through the coming years? |
All applications for funding are assessed against the Community Strategy. Applications are forecast to outstrip available resources and therefore priorities will need to be set. |
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Is the Council able to say how much it appreciates the service to people of the Borough which so many local voluntary organisations give? Shrewsbury Furniture Scheme has twelve people - many with excellent qualifications such as the three volunteers who give free service too and often three days a week to enable local people on a low income and in need of household and electrical goods and furniture to choose what they need and secure them at a small charge and have the goods delivered free to any address in the Borough. Our expenses each are about £40,000 a year. We receive from the people who request the goods about £3,000. Costs go up each year, but we have been told the £10,000 we are receiving in grant this year will probably be reduced next year. |
All applications for funding are assessed against the Community Strategy. Applications are forecast to outstrip available resources and therefore priorities will need to be set. Not all funding requests can be met and therefore the Council will support and assist groups to seek funding from other sources. |
Community Safety - Andy Goldsmith
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Question/Issue |
Response |
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Vandalism - what are the Police/Council doing about this? |
The Council has adopted new powers to deal with graffiti and is working with Statutory Undertakers (e.g. British Telecom) to remove graffiti quickly. The Council is also working with the Police to address anti social behaviour through Anti Social Behaviour orders and to encourage pro social behaviour through a Police based Community Projects Co-ordinator. |
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Community Safety Need to pursue More police on the street particularly in respect of the evening economy in town. |
The deployment of police resources is a decision of the Local Police Commander. The Council has a good relationship with the Police and supports town centre policing with CCTV. A task group has been established to develop a safer evening economy. |
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What future provisions are you making to enhance community safety in rural villages? |
The Council is currently undertaking a detailed crime audit to identify to road level crime and disorder hotspots. From this we will develop a community safety strategy in partnership with the police and other agencies to target resources at priority areas. |
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The borough council along with some private investors are currently investing a great deal of money on sport, leisure and recreation facilities in and around Shrewsbury. Whilst these facilities are likely to boost the tourist economy, could the Council give some indication of the impact a new £28 million theatre, cinema in the square, tourist info. centre, new soccer stadium, tennis centre and indoor bowls centre will have in reducing anti social behaviour, currently on the increase in our local communities, for example Meole Brace, Monkmoor, Sutton, Harlescott etc etc. |
It is hoped that by providing affordable and accessible facilities for all people covering a number of interest that we are working towards a more vibrant and inclusive community. The developments are not primarily for tourists but for the people of the Borough. By providing facilities and activities boredom (the main cause of anti social behaviour) may be reduced. |
Town Centre - David Griffiths
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Question/Issue |
Response |
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Councillor Nutting said 2000 visitors had been to Old Market Hall - please define visitor - how many have paid to go to cinema. |
Over 25,000 film goers and over 100,000 visitors have been to the OMH since it opened in Jan 04. |
Public amenities/Litter - Derek Caddy
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Question/Issue |
Response |
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Dog Fouling: Needs to be addressed more strongly. |
Active enforcement takes place and fixed penalties are applied when offenders are spotted. |
River/Public Footpaths /Engineering /Parking / Travel - Eddie McGrath
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Question/Issue |
Response |
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Using river as a resource. Issues - such a river is main artery and nothing appears to be done. It is an under utilised resource. |
The Council has provided funding of £150,000 to be spent over a 3 year period on river related projects, as determined by the independent River Users Group. |
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Bearing in mind the budget for this - would the Council consider a dredging project out of budget money for 2005/2006? |
One of the schemes considered in 2003 was dredging to enable boats like the River King to use the river. Full scale dredging would be very expensive, short lived and is not presently being considered. |
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Flood Defences: Properties not near stage one are being ignored. The whole catchment area should be controlled. By controlling all the way along the catchment area rather than building defences. |
The issue of flood control and flood defences is being very seriously considered by the Environment Agency and this proposal is already part of their considerations. |
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What is going to happen to the silting of the River Severn at the English Bridge? Concern over proliferation of mini-islands. |
This is both expensive and difficult to deal with, especially as their removal will in itself cause pollution. |
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Dana Footbridge - falling into a poor state of repair - poor lighting, paint peeling etc. |
This issue is currently being discussed between Network Rail and Shropshire County Council to achieve a satisfactory solution. |
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Social Behaviour in town centre: Need for night buses to enable revellers to leave town centre promptly when venues close. |
The Shrewsbury and Atcham Community safety Partnership has set the provision of evening buses as a priority for 2004/05 and has made resources available to achieve this. Discussions have been opened with Arriva. (A Goldsmith) |
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Transport arrangements: Improving services in and out of the town to outlying areas particularly at evenings and weekends. |
Bus services are an issue for Shropshire County Council, not SABC and this issue is being referred on to them. |
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Comment on getting access into town right - when will we see a coherent access travel strategy - to make this equal for all. |
The Borough is working on a Car Parking Strategy and is co-operating with the County Council on Park and Ride issues, to achieve a better long-term solution. |
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The lack of adequate cycle paths round Shrewsbury (in the town). |
This issue has been passed to Shropshire County Council as Highway Authority. |
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Cycle Routes in Town: Smithfield Road scary for cyclists, could one footpath be a cycle path? Cycle routes seem to start in the middle of nowhere. |
(As previous answer above). |
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(i) When - Castlefields Residents Parking Scheme? (ii) What progress on community wardens? (iii) Plans to expand to deploy Police community officers in the town. |
(i) This is unlikely to happen until the enforcement of on-street parking becomes the responsibility of the County & Borough Councils, rather than the Police. Issues (ii) & (iii) have been referred on to West Mercia Police. |
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Council missing opportunity in Gay Meadow - for car parking and access for station via a bridge and public open space |
Scope for - car parking now gone, but latter issues still under discussion. |
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Old Complaint! Buses on routes 20 and 22 no longer able to stop after Frankwell Island until reaching the bus station. What about old people, in particular, having to walk over Welsh Bridge and along Barker Street or Mardol to reach town centre shops, Square, etc etc? |
This is an issue for Shropshire County Council and has been forwarded to them. |
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Parking: What is the Council and their colleagues at County Hall doing about PARKING - double yellow lines are being ignored - pedestrian only areas are being flouted - double parking is rife - parking wardens are idle - Sunday is especially bad - you said you were looking into this last year - no progress - quite the reverse. |
The County Council is currently doing a feasibility study into the introduction of Decriminalised Party to Shropshire. The implementation of this should assist in enforcement, and could still (likely) be under the jurisdiction of Shrewsbury & Atcham Borough Council. However this is about 2 years away, although we are pressing for a speedier implementation. The traffic wardens are under the control of the Police, not the Councils, but this will eventually change. |
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Bus Drop-Off Point in Frankwell car park is needed, to give residents access to new Guildhall. |
There is a bus drop-off point but the problem relates to accessibility for buses crossing the Frankwell Quay/Welsh Bridge junction. |
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With an increase in the ageing population and the proliferation of electric buggies what provision - if any - is being made for the accommodation of these on the borough streets? |
Streets are kept level and safe for pedestrians and users of wheelchairs and other motorised transport. The opportunity for widening footpaths further is limited by available space. Comments passed to Shropshire County Council as Highway Authority. |
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It has been proposed to narrow the roadway in Barker Street. Now there is talk of the tourist coaches coming into Barker Street to off-load at the old S1 Bus Stop. Will Barker Street still be 2 way, and if so, will there be room for large coaches on a narrower roadway? |
Yes |
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What is the Council's policy on car parking in Shrewsbury? |
This is currently being reviewed and will be considered by Cabinet in November. |
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Cyclist - cycle on pavements, ignore traffic lights and one way. No police presence in town. Skateboarders behave same as cyclists. Do we have to wait for someone to be killed? |
This comment has been passed to West Mercia Police. |
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Residents' Parking: Mountfields is a prime example of a commuter's "car park", much to the detriment of its residents, who watch these commuters arrive and depart on a daily basis with monotonous regularity. Park and ride plus fee paying car parking facilities obviously do not have the desired effect - this has been an ongoing problem for too long. Please - grasp the nettle and introduce a residents' only parking scheme. |
The County Council is currently doing a feasibility study into the introduction of Decriminalised Parking to Shropshire. The implementation of this should assist in enforcement, and could still (likely) be under the jurisdiction of Shrewsbury & Atcham Borough Council. However this is about 2 years away, although we are pressing for a speedier implementation. The traffic wardens are under the control of the Police, not the Councils, but this will eventually change. |
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Who pays for theatre? Where does revenue come from, who benefits? Cost of entry - will ordinary people with families be able to afford to go? Will it be aimed at tourists? If tourists raise economy will prices rise above local people's level? What will Council policy be for local people - cheap concessionary tickets. |
The Music Hall, and in the future the New Entertainment Venue, receives a revenue subsidy from the Borough Council. The service strives for affordability not just with ticket prices but also venue hire for local groups etc. The new venue is not aimed solely at tourists we will of course welcome them to the new venue but it is primarily for the people of Shrewsbury & Atcham. |
Sustainability and Tree Preservation - Geoff Harrison
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Question/Issue |
Response |
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Why have SABC not signed up for the Nottingham Convention on sustainable energy and recycling etc? |
Officers are not familiar with the 'Nottingham Convention' but would be pleased to receive details if this is evidence of best practise in relation to sustainable energy and recycling. |
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Why are more officers getting delegated powers, e.g. trees? |
The system of delegation to officers is contained within the Council's constitution and in respect of trees extends to the creation of Tree Preservation Orders and the determination of notices for works to trees in Conservation Areas. Where no representations are received in respect of Tree Preservation Orders the Tree and Landscape Officer has delegated authority to confirm the TPO. Where representations are received in respect of applications for works to TPO trees, these are delegated only where such representations accord with the officer recommendation. In all other instances, such matters have to be determined by Committee. |
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Are the Borough going to revitalise the tree and landscape strategy initiated in 1997? |
It is hoped that a revised Tree and Landscape Strategy will be prepared at some future time, though it should be acknowledged that many of the recommendations put forward in the 1997 strategy have either been implemented or are being addressed. Any revision will be subject to resources becoming available. |
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Can we plant more trees in the town centre? |
Opportunities for additional tree planting in the town centre are somewhat limited by the tight urban form of Shrewsbury, but the need to soften the urban environment are addressed in all new initiatives such as The Square regeneration, Pride Hill Enhancement, St Alkmund's Square and any other areas that are considered for redevelopment or environmental enhancement. |
Leisure - Alan Wallin
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Question/Issue |
Response |
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Swimming Pool: Need rails to aid older people to access pool. Keeping older people fit is a preventative measure. |
Improvements currently under investigation allied to recent completion of a detailed access audit. Age Concern has been invited to make recommendations on improvements specifically advantageous to elderly/infirm clients. |
Music Hall/New Entertainment Venue - Lezley Picton
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Question/Issue |
Response |
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Music Hall: What plans are there for the Music Hall when the theatre is built? Will anyone take on this type of building? |
A review is being undertaken regarding the future of the Music Hall and it is likely that the building will remain in public ownership. |
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Music Hall: School Resource Centre + 1 art gallery + museum + science investigations - Small theatre for schools. Centre for visiting schools/eat lunch etc. Centre for extra curricular events for school, fencing/dance etc. University - Administration centre and cultural centre for students. University is great idea. |
A review is being undertaken regarding the future of the Music Hall and it is likely that the building will remain in public ownership. |
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Theatre - University If we don't have theatre and university may lose young educated people from area. May move to the cities. Looking ahead to next 100 years. |
It is very important for our County Town to have good cultural provision hence Council's decision to build the New Entertainment Venue. |
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Will the Council for the foreseeable future remain as the Museums Authority and continue to care for the collections currently held by the Museums Service and to make acquisitions when desirable? |
A review of the current Museum Service is underway which will determine whether the Museum remains a Museum Authority. Regular updates will be issued to ensure the public are kept informed of progress. |
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The Tourist Information Centre and Music Hall: Now that the new theatre has been approved, what are the Council's long term plans for the Music Hall and in particular the TIC? Does the Council really understand the role of the TIC to the town, its need to stay centrally located and accessible to all people? |
A review is being undertaken regarding the future of the Music Hall and it is likely that the building will remain in public ownership. (L Picton) Yes, it is recognised that a prominent and accessible location in the town centre is important and that any relocation proposals would need to be carefully considered (D Griffiths) |
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Location of theatre - Gay Meadow rather than Frankwell (Question sent by e-mail on 1 October). |
It is Council Policy that the New Entertainment Venue be built on land at Frankwell. |
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Music Hall: As a county town Shrewsbury needs a good museum and art gallery. As the local Council has seen fit to spend millions on a new theatre, the Music Hall seems an excellent venue for this purpose. |
A review is being undertaken regarding the future of the Music Hall and it is likely that the building will remain in public ownership. Part of this review is to look at the possibility of transferring the Museums to the Music Hall. |
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Music Hall + New Entertainment Venue: 2 feasibility studies in 1991 and 2001 had good and imaginative ideas for keeping going - seems to have been ignored. Funding should be spent on Music Hall (rather than NEV). NEV will be costly. |
The Music Hall has been subject to many studies and although improvements could be made there would still be major issues that cannot be resolved. Issues that will prevent the Music Hall from continuing success. |
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The capital cost of the NEV rises every meeting at which it is discussed and is currently £28m. Experience of new venues elsewhere in UK shows estimates are always exceeded and even doubled. What is the capital limit the SABC has in mind before abandoning the scheme? Also what is the maximum revenue cost considered acceptable? |
The maximum capital limit has been set at 28M this includes the cost of the construction and fitting out, the land assembly, all fees and amount set aside to offset the increased revenue costs. The revenue costs are currently estimated at £750,000, £250,000 of which is for maintenance and equipment renewal, monies that are not included within the Music Hall's current budget. |
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Can we have assurances that the Music Hall remains open to the public whatever is decided? The new use must be for the people. |
A review is being undertaken regarding the future of the Music Hall and it is likely that the building will remain in public ownership. |
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Music Hall: Performing Arts College? Educational? Community Use? Important to retain public ownership. Young persons' use. Museum. |
A review is being undertaken regarding the future of the Music Hall and it is likely that the building will remain in public ownership. |
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Music Hall: Can it become a Trust? Can it be a community resource? Can the SCC be involved? Can the Museum showcase Shropshire/ Shrewsbury? |
A review is being undertaken regarding the future of the Music Hall and it is likely that the building will remain in public ownership. |
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Given the problems of site assembly at Frankwell, the unsatisfactory nature of the proposed housing development at Gay Meadow and the requirements of the covenant on that land, should the Council now reconsider the possibility of buying the Gay Meadow with a view to locating the theatre there ? |
There are no problems with land assembly at Frankwell. It is Council Policy that the New Entertainment Venue be built on land at Frankwell. |
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THE FUTURE OF GAY MEADOW The Shrewsbury Business Chamber are concerned that Shrewsbury & Atcham Borough Council appear determined to lift the covenant on the Gay Meadow and in turn transfer it to Sutton on the proposed New Gay Meadow Site.This move appears to be a "cop out" and will, in reality, prevent the People of Shrewsbury ever taking advantage of any monetary value attached to the covenant. It also concerns us that the covenant, which effectively reserved the land for leisure purposes for the People of Shrewsbury, will be brushed aside preventing any further use of the site except for a privileged few who purchase the new homes. The Chamber's view is that the verbal advice currently being offered by SABC to the effect that the covenant is of little value, is very dubious and that if there is a legal opinion prepared by Counsel, it should be brought in to the public domain now to enable a proper view to be taken. Our Question is, therefore, in two parts: 1. Why is the Council so determined to lift/transfer the covenant and, in doing so, taking away the future opportunity to provide in-town leisure facilities for all the People of Shrewsbury? 2. Can we please see the Legal Opinion relating to this matter now. |
The advice is exempt information within the meaning of paragraph 13 schedule 12A LGA 1972. To reveal the information would harm the Borough's position in relation to the current or any future negotiations. Indeed making this very public invites a developer to flout the covenant and build anyway, to the detriment of the Borough Council and its residents. (Response from Gareth Owens, Democratic & Legal Services Manager). |
Council Tax/Concessionary Travel - Paul Pennell
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Question/Issue |
Response |
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Concessionary Travel: Under the latest SABC proposals - at present on hold - how are the majority of the elderly or disabled who are NOT car-owners supposed to access a park-and-ride park in order to benefit from the free off-peak bus trips? As for the provision of free half-fare bus passes for travel within the borough, is not this already a legal requirement imposed by Government on all local authorities two or three years ago? |
The Council has to offer Senior Citizens and residents with disabilities in the Borough a Half Fare Bus Card which entitles the recipient to half fare travel on local bus services in the Borough Area. This card is not affected by the current proposals. The Council's current Concessionary Travel Scheme also offers a choice of another two Bus Cards, Travel Tokens or Senior Rail Card as an alternative to the Half Fare Bus Card. Only one concession can be claimed per year and once a choice has been made it cannot be changed until the following year. The Council is currently reviewing the scheme and in response to requests for some free travel for Senior Citizens it has been proposed that free travel on the Park and Ride Service at off-peak periods, Monday to Friday, be added to the Concessionary Travel Scheme. The benefits of the proposal are that it will enhance the Concessionary Travel Scheme, will increase the options available to those who qualify for the scheme and enable them to choose whichever form of bus travel is most appropriate to their circumstances. A decision on the Concessionary Travel Scheme to operate from 1April 2005 has been deferred to enable further consultation on the proposals to be carried out. A report will be considered by the Council on 15 November 2004. |