Issue - meetings

Report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Assets, Councillor Peter Jeffries

RESOLVED THAT:

1.    a rent support grant of 74% of current market rent to the Gardens Gallery, Proscenium Building, Montpellier Gardens is agreed;

2.    authority is delegated to the Participation and Engagement Team Leader, in consultation with the Director: One Legal to agree the terms of a rent support grant agreement with the applicant. 

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Assets introduced the report, which set out the level of rent support as assessed and proposed for the Gardens Gallery in Montpellier. He said that supporting voluntary and community organisations through the council’s sizable property portfolio is always a pleasure, even sometimes, when the policy has been applied and the rent calculation assessed, organisations are not prepared for the level of rent, however small a contribution it might be.  In such cases, he always endeavours to meet with organisations to have a more in-depth conversation and gain an understanding of any specifics, as with this case.  At their request, there will be some changes which will enable the Gardens Gallery to be a little more commercial whilst still supporting new and unknown artists.

As these changes will take time to have a positive financial benefit for the Gardens Gallery, he said that he has, with Members’ support, applied the 10% discretionary element of the policy, as mentioned in the report.  He hoped that colleagues would be able to support the recommendations as laid out.

Members welcomed the report and the agreement, and made the following comments:

-       Cheltenham is lucky to have this fantastic gallery in the middle of a public space, supporting local art and artists, and giving them the opportunity to exhibit their work.  It is booked up for months, even years, in advance, which shows what a popular and successful formula it is. It is a credit to our many talented and dedicated local artists, and also owes much to volunteers;

-       the Gardens Gallery has become an institution, and it is good to note the improvements being made to the building to make it more environmentally friendly and sustainable.

RESOLVED THAT:

1.    a rent support grant of 74% of current market rent to the Gardens Gallery, Proscenium Building, Montpellier Gardens is agreed;

2.    authority is delegated to the Participation and Engagement Team Leader, in consultation with the Director: One Legal to agree the terms of a rent support grant agreement with the applicant.