To consider approving changes to the previously awarded community grant to the Roses Theatre. 

That, subject to the Trust completing a lease of the Roses Theatre with the Council, the amendments to the grant for the Roses Theatre Trust be AGREED on the basis that the grant be used for the items specified in Paragraph 2.1B of the report.

102.1         The report of the Head of Development Services, circulated at Pages No. 53-57, set out a request from the Roses Theatre Trust to use a grant provided by the Borough Council for a different purpose than that for which it had been granted. Members were asked to consider the request and agree whether the amendments should be approved, subject to the Trust completing a lease of the Roses Theatre with the Council.

102.2         The Head of Development Services explained that, in September 2016, the Roses Theatre had been awarded a community grant of £19,950 towards the refurbishment of the Morecambe Room and a hearing loop for the café. However, in January 2018, the Roses Theatre had approached the Council to request a change to the application to upgrade the seating in the auditorium to bring it up to the standard expected for a Theatre; and for the refurbishment of the stage and backstage area to make it appropriate for the Theatre’s needs and to meet the expectations of performers. In addition, there was a necessity to upgrade the technical equipment such as the hanging bars from which the lighting and drapes were suspended along with the sound and lighting equipment.

102.3         A Member questioned whether the grant allocated would be enough for the works under discussion. In response, the Committee was advised that the Theatre had also applied to the LEADER Programme and had previously been awarded a grant; however, that funding worked in a different way so, to change the purpose for the grant, the original application had to be withdrawn and a new one submitted. The Theatre was also working with the Council’s Community Funding Officer to secure other match funding. A Member queried whether the Council could provide the grant for a specific part of the Theatre’s improvements, i.e. the stage and backstage area, that way it could use the LEADER funding for the seating. Another Member questioned whether planning permission would be required for any of the works and whether a contribution was required from the private sector in order for the LEADER funding bid to be successful. In response, the Head of Development Services indicated that the Council was in contact with the Theatre about the improvement plan so if planning permission was required that would be advised in a timely manner. In terms of the LEADER funding, she would have to check the specifics of the application as there were different requirements for different elements.

102.4         Members agreed that they would like the Council’s grant to be used specifically for the stage and backstage improvements. Accordingly, upon being put to the vote, it was