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Agenda item

Questions and answer session for members of the public

Minutes:

There were eleven questions from Members of the Public.

 

Question from Ms Kate Hammond to the Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee

 

How much has Maidstone Borough Council spent on their Heathlands Council-Led Garden Community to date?’

 

The Chairman responded to the question.

 

Ms Hammond asked the following supplementary question:

 

‘That is roughly the same amount of money as the annual subsidy for the much loved Hazlitt Theatre. Do you think £305,645 is a prudent investment of public funds for what is essentially a high-risk investment?’

The Chairman responded to the supplementary question.

Question from Mr Steve Heeley to the Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee

 

How much has Maidstone Borough Council made budget provision for over the next five years for their Heathlands Garden Community?’

 

The Chairman responded to the question.

 

Mr Heeley asked the following supplementary question:

 

‘Last week you said to the press that you find yourselves in a situation where you have to decide on the best use of your resources at the moment. Do you think Maidstone Council’s pursuit to be a property developer is the best use of your scant finances and resources in the current climate, given the severe pressures on other services and the threat to institutions like the Hazlitt Theatre?’

 

The Chairman responded to the supplementary question.

 

Question from Mr David Finch to the Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee

 

As Mr Finch was not in attendance, the question was read out on his behalf by the Democratic Services Officer.

 

‘MBC’s own Report shows that the Hazlitt Theatre brings in over £5m of direct and indirect business to the Town for a modest subsidy of £243k to Parkwood Theatres – a staggering return of over 2,000 percent per annum.  With at least three Covid vaccines of over 90% success rates due to start coming onstream from next month and with mass vaccination planned for 2021, we are on the cusp of recovery and returning to normal social life from early/mid next year – which will enable the current Hazlitt management team to re-introduce its full programme of income generating events far sooner than the Council anticipate.  Rather than mothball the Theatre with the resultant loss of experienced Theatre staff whilst still incurring the ongoing maintenance cost of £100,000 pa, what avenues have been explored with Parkwood to reduce the current Management Fee during the course of this pandemic to ensure a “win-win” situation – and thereby ensuring the Theatre remains well placed for the social and economic upturn expected in 2021?’

 

The Chairman responded to the question.

 

Question from Ms Becky Roberts to the Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee

 

‘I would like to know how MBC intend to generate the 5 million pounds income per annum that The Hazlitt Theatre brings into the county in normal circumstances?  This would on the basis if you're intending to run the venue without the current experienced team being Parkwood Theatres, whom know this unique old building better than anyone’.

 

The Chairman responded to the question.

 

Ms Roberts asked the following supplementary question:

 

‘With the vaccine reportedly being administered shortly, whilst the Hazlitt has quite a small capacity in relation to some other theatres, I personally think, coming from a theatre background, potentially as early as Easter time this situation could well turn around. It seems a pity to bring things to an abrupt closure as I don’t personally think it will take as much as a year?’

 

The Chairman responded to the supplementary question.

 

Question from Mr Chris Perree to the Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee

 

‘What alternate options for continuing the future of the Hazlitt Theatre to severing the Parkwood contract have MBC actually researched, considered and costed?’

 

The Chairman responded to the question.

 

Mr Perree asked the following supplementary question:

 

‘Can you confirm that you have actually been in discussion with Parkwood this week?’

 

The Chairman responded to the supplementary question.

 

Question from Ms Julie Hutchings to the Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee

 

As Ms Hutchings was unable to attend, the question was read out on her behalf by the Democratic Services Officer.

 

‘When things go back to normal, can you offer reassurance that the theatre will run with the same efficiency as Parkwood’s management under your control?  We need a fully functioning theatre in Maidstone, not a glorified village hall set up’.

 

The Chairman responded to the question.

 

Question from Ms Fuscia Webb to the Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee

 

The Hazlitt Youth Theatre looks after young people's mental health and enables those from different backgrounds to mix in an accepting environment. With mental health funding being so overstretched, and with Maidstone being an area where class divides are so prevalent among young people, how will the council ensure that this necessary part of our lives is not lost?’

 

The Chairman responded to the question.

 

Ms Webb asked the following supplementary question:

 

‘To a lot of people at the Hazlitt, the youth theatre hasn’t been open since march but the dance company has been which involves a lot of the same young people and I think to a lot of us the Hazlitt is more than just a venue for us to meet up in. It’s a consistent safe space that young people can have. What do you think about the prospect of that safe space being taken away from young people?’

 

The Chairman responded to the supplementary question.

 

Question from Ms Niki Bish to the Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee

 

As Ms Bish was unable to attend, the question was read out on her behalf by the Democratic Services Officer.

 

‘In light of recent press statements by MBC confirming they have "ended the contract" with Parkwood Theatres, please could you explain what your strategy is to keep the Hazlitt running as a profitable theatre? Parkwood Theatres have turned the Hazlitt around in the last 5 years bringing in a revenue of over £5 million to Maidstone town centre. They have over 300 young people in their dance company and youth theatre companies, with more people involved in the Hazlitt Choir. They have a huge network of user groups and Parkwood Theatres have the professional expertise to run these’.

 

The Chairman responded to the question.

 

 

 

Question from Ms Joanne Gubbins to the Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee

 

‘Have Parkwood been approached to ask if they would consider reducing their cost whilst it is closed? To of course then resume their full contribution when the theatre can fully re-open’.

 

The Chairman responded to the question.

 

Ms Gubbins asked the following supplementary question:

 

‘You said about speaking with other management companies. Would they [Parkwood] be able to be reconsidered? From what I’ve heard you’ve actually ended contracts with them’

 

The Chairman responded to the supplementary question.

 

Question from Mr Nicholas Mowat to the Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee

 

‘In ending the contract with Parkwood earlier than the full term, what is the cost to the Council of ending this agreement and how much consultation has there been with Parkwood in order to endeavour to find a more affordable way forward?’

 

The Chairman responded to the question.

 

Question from Ms Michelle Harris to the Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee

 

‘For what valid reason are you proposing to close the Hazlitt Theatre?

This is a very important community service supporting the Arts and members of the Public and should not be closed. If this is indeed a democracy and the council represent the people of Maidstone and of Kent you can find a solution around this.  If you fail to, then it is clear that Maidstone council do not represent the people’.

 

The Chairman responded to the question.

 

Ms Harris asked the following supplementary question:

 

‘Would the council consider private funding to take over the whole of the Hazlitt in its entirety?’

 

The Chairman responded to the supplementary question.

 

The full responses were recorded on the webcast and made available to view on the Maidstone Borough Council website.

 

To access the webcast recording, please use the link below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8_mVU-iSY8