Agenda item

The District Executive was addressed by three members of the public (representatives from Yeovil Community Arts Association and Yeovil Literary Festival, Helen Laxton School of Dance and Somerset Independents).  Points raised included the following:

·         This necessary enhancement of a much envied theatre with the prospect of offering additional excellent, versatile facilities was admirable and had been much requested in the past.

·         Many more local groups would benefit and the café development would become the place to meet.

·         The theatre created an atmosphere of belonging and would be the place for likeminded people to come together.

·         Enhancing facilities would bring more interest and visitors.

·         The project would deliver health and wellbeing benefits to residents.

·         A bigger and better theatre in Yeovil would be a boost to the local economy.

·         Already many of the big shows, comedians etc. that perform sell out extremely quickly.  Extra capacity would mean more audiences resulting in increased income.

·         A larger theatre with better facilities and rehearsal spaces would attract bigger artists and companies to the area.

·         A cinema within the theatre would be well used.

·         The theatre had an incredible following and the programme included events for all ages.

·         Concerns expressed over the funding of the project and the spending of public money that could be spent on other areas.

The Portfolio Holder for Health and Wellbeing advised that the main purpose of the report was to seek member’s approval in principle to progress the project and a further report would be brought back to the District Executive once financial implications were confirmed.  He noted that the Octagon Theatre continued to grow in reputation, drawing audiences from throughout the region as well as locally delivering a varied quality programme.  The project looked to address the current challenges of the building, which did not meet the environmental or accessibility standards required and improve the user experience.

The Lead Specialist, Arts & Entertainment Venues Manager provided members with an overview of the Project, which included the following:

·         The aspiration to transform the Octagon Theatre;

·         The theatre had a strong catchment in place bringing visitors into the district;

·         There was a desire to bring more national funding into the area;

·         Inadequacies of the current facilities including lack of access throughout the building particularly backstage;

·         The proposals would see the transformation of the Octagon to a Centre of Excellence for Culture, Entertainment and the Arts;

·         The proposal included a link between the Yeovil Country Park and the town centre.

·         The Octagon would become a much improved facility for the arts and would assist in improving the lives of local residents.

·         The programme would evolve and include bigger and better shows.

·         The project would provide facilities to meet the ambitions of amateur and community groups and attract businesses.

·         The project would support the local economy.

·         With the use of the ticket levy the project could be delivered and paid for largely by the users of the facility.

The Director of Commercial Services and Income Regeneration commented that the project was ambitious and evidence suggested that it would also assist with the regeneration of the town. Whilst the Octagon Theatre was based in Yeovil, the project could attract other grant monies, which could filter out across the district and also benefit other small organisations.  She advised that members were being asked to consider an agreement in principle to progress with the project further and that a detailed business case would be brought back to the District Executive and Full Council if necessary. She confirmed that although members were being asked to approve funding in advance, the project would look to pay itself back.

During discussion, points made by members included:-

·         A member fully endorsed the proposal and the effect the project would have on the local economy and regeneration of the town centre.

·         There were significant benefits in delivering the project including social, financial, the wider economy as well as the performing arts sector both regionally and locally.

·         It was hoped that the project could bring several environmental benefits including carbon reduction initiatives and it was questioned whether the installation of solar panels could be investigated to provide electricity for use in the evening.

·         The work undertaken by officers to date had supported the need for the project to be progressed.

At the conclusion of the debate, Members agreed in principle to progress the development of the project and approved the recommendations of the report.