Purpose

To decide on options for future service
delivery of the Harlequin Theatre, Redhill.

Decision

RESOLVED –
that Executive AGREED to:
 
i.              
Support previous community hirers with alternative rehearsal /
performance space solutions where appropriate through small
enabling grants, subject to annual budget approval.
ii.            
Support the expansion of the Council’s existing arts
development offer, supporting arts development opportunities in
Redhill and borough-wide, subject to annual budget
approval.
iii.           
Agree to maintain the Harlequin service’s net revenue
budget for 2025/26 at £360k.
iv.           
Agree to allocate up to £10 million for the Harlequin
Theatre and cultural offering in the borough.
v.            
Agree to receive a further report on the future of the Harlequin
in the Warwick Quadrant in June 2025 with the report seeking
budgetary approval and authority to appoint a client design team to
work up costed implementation plans; and delegating discussions
with the head leaseholder of the Warwick Quadrant in order to agree
costs and responsibilities and timeline to the Director, Property
Services Manager, Legal Services Manager and Chief Finance Officer
in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Portfolio
Holder for Finance and Assets.
vi.           
Agree to receiving a further report in June 2025 on the detailed
costed feasibility and potential operator analysis for a circa
200-seater Redhill performance venue, which could cater for
commercial and community hirers, including capital and revenue
budgetary recommendations.
vii.         
Delegate decisions regarding the operational implications to the
Strategic Head of Communities and Wellbeing and Head of
Greenspaces, Leisure and Culture, in consultation with the Chief
Finance Officer, the Leader of the Council, the Portfolio Holder
for Leisure and Sustainability and the Portfolio Holder for Finance
and Assets.
viii.       
Note the motion that was deferred by Executive at their meeting
on 15th August 2024 and conclude that where possible the principles
of the motion are being addressed in the recommendations set out in
this report.