Decision details
Grant agreement between Cheltenham Borough Council and Gloucestershire Everyman Theatre Company Ltd for the financial year 2025/26
Decision Maker: Cabinet Member Economic Development, Wellbeing, Culture and Public Open Space
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: No
Is subject to call in?: Yes
Decision:
That the Council enters into a grant agreement with Gloucestershire Everyman Theatre Company Ltd for the period 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026.
Reasons for the decision:
The council pays an annual grant of £122,300 to the Gloucestershire Everyman Theatre Company Limited.
In line with the Council’s recently adopted grant policy, an agreement has been drafted that sets out the terms by which the grant is offered.
This includes the outcomes that the Council expects the theatre to deliver and a range of corresponding performance measures.
These are set out below:
|
Outcome |
KPI |
|
Protect, conserve and improve the fabric of the Everyman Theatre building. |
£110k spent annually to maintain the building and keep it in compliance with H&S standards. |
|
Attract visitors and improve the economic vitality of the town.
|
100,000 visitors from Cheltenham attending shows at the Everyman Theatre.
120,000 visitors from outside of Cheltenham attending shows at the Everyman Theatre. |
|
Enhance the quality of life and wellbeing of Cheltenham residents through inclusive access to creative and cultural opportunities |
200 hours of free meeting/delivery space for community groups.
100 activities/events/workshops delivered by Everyman Theatre education and community department.
2,000 people (all ages) engaging with Everyman Theatre education and community opportunities. |
|
Engage Cheltenham children and young people in positive activities that enrich their social and emotional development
|
1,000 children and young people engaging with Everyman Theatre Education and Community opportunities.
40 young people achieving an Arts Award (accredited qualification).
15 creative or performing arts projects and/or groups for children and young people in Cheltenham. |
|
Deliver community-based performing arts productions, for the benefit of Cheltenham residents |
5 community-based productions
50 children and young people taking part community-based productions. |
|
Improve the accessibility of the venue
|
To explore the feasibility of creating a minimum of two wheelchair spaces side by side in an accessible row to address the issue that two wheelchair users cannot sit together. |
Alternative options considered:
None.
Finance Comments: The grant of £122,300 is made up of the following components: Community investment grant £148,800 Rent grant (Market rent is £72,750 and theatre is liable to pay £44,500) £28,250 Repair contribution £15,000 Engineering insurance £3,000 TOTAL £195,050 Actual amount paid over to theatre is £122,300 Amount retained by CBC for market rent is £72,750 TOTAL £195,050
Other reasons / organisations consulted
The agreement has been subject to consultation with the Gloucestershire Everyman Theatre Company Ltd.
Contact: Richard Gibson, Head of Communities, Wellbeing and Partnerships Email: [email protected].
Publication date: 02/09/2025
Date of decision: 02/09/2025
Effective from: 10/09/2025