NGA isn't being 'ditched'. The idea was to move it to a more suitable location.
ie not on an industrial estate / technology park.
The council has nothing to do with NGP, NGA or GCT.
Perhaps not yet but soon to change if a certain few get their way? How much money will this project cost the taxpayers?
Any way of finding the financial figures for the last couple of years for the present arts centre to determine the viabiltiy of an arts centre without being subsidised by the taxpayer?
Perhaps not yet but soon to change if a certain few get their way? How much money will this project cost the taxpayers?
Any way of finding the financial figures for the last couple of years for the present arts centre to determine the viabiltiy of an arts centre without being subsidised by the taxpayer?
Referring to NGA it notes (2009-10) that 16,000 visitors used NGA and that they (GCT) spent £212,000 on NGA. Moving NGA into town would not significantly alter this support from GCT as they are committed to supporting it to the tune of £200,000 pa and there is no obvious reason for them to cease doing so.
The Pavillion, as planned, was to house several functions currently funded by NTC (storage), WBC (Waterside part-replacement) and GCT (NGA). On top of this a bar/restaurant/cafe would be a new function, presumably contracted out to the highest bidder. As such I would expect local taxpayers would continue to contribute to the funding of these functions but the bulk of the running costs would probably be met by GCT. The whole thing is not that bad an idea in concept - except for the proposed location and the naff design.
Referring to NGA it notes (2009-10) that 16,000 visitors used NGA and that they (GCT) spent £212,000 on NGA. Moving NGA into town would not significantly alter this support from GCT as they are committed to supporting it to the tune of £200,000 pa and there is no obvious reason for them to cease doing so.
The Pavillion, as planned, was to house several functions currently funded by NTC (storage), WBC (Waterside part-replacement) and GCT (NGA). On top of this a bar/restaurant/cafe would be a new function, presumably contracted out to the highest bidder. As such I would expect local taxpayers would continue to contribute to the funding of these functions but the bulk of the running costs would probably be met by GCT. The whole thing is not that bad an idea in concept - except for the proposed location and the naff design.
Thanks Blackdog very interesting. Is there any sort of guarantee from GCT that they will indeed carry on supporting it do you know? I agree with you rotten location and design turns the stomach to say the least. Seems to be rather a small building to cover all the proposed uses you have listed though and access to it if it does go into Victoria Park is not ideal. Totally against building on the park. I am confident there should be plenty of empty buildings elsewhere in Newbury that would be more suitable when Parkway drains the rest of the town. Would still like a consultation with all relevant taxpayers to see if it is actually wanted though before any more action taken.
Perhaps not yet but soon to change if a certain few get their way? How much money will this project cost the taxpayers?
Any way of finding the financial figures for the last couple of years for the present arts centre to determine the viabiltiy of an arts centre without being subsidised by the taxpayer?
Are you paranoid? anyway,
Luckily Blackdog has taken the trouble to explain the current situation to you - saving me the bother.
Greenham Common Trust was set up to stop the land once occupied by RAF Greenham being sold off in bits & pieces & developed. GCT purchased the 1000 acre site & restored 750+ acres to common land & used the 250 acres covered by old RAF buildings & hangars to create New Greenham Park. The reason for this is that NGP - with all those tennants - generates pots of cash which GCT can then spend on local 'good causes'. Almost £15 million spent so far, part of which will be the funding for New Greenham Arts. So as NGA is funded by GCT which has a rather healthy revenus stream from NGP - the tax payer won't be having to pay for much.
Not that tax payers funding this sort of local ammenity is a bad thing.
Thanks Blackdog very interesting. Is there any sort of guarantee from GCT that they will indeed carry on supporting it do you know? I agree with you rotten location and design turns the stomach to say the least. Seems to be rather a small building to cover all the proposed uses you have listed though and access to it if it does go into Victoria Park is not ideal. Totally against building on the park. I am confident there should be plenty of empty buildings elsewhere in Newbury that would be more suitable when Parkway drains the rest of the town. Would still like a consultation with all relevant taxpayers to see if it is actually wanted though before any more action taken.
No guarantee is forever, but GCT was certainly up for funding the pavillion for years to come - as well as putting a million or so into the building fund. RG has recently stated that they have decided to spend that additional money elsewhere - effectively killing off the Pavillion for the time being. I have no idea if he is right.
You can see from the acconts that GCT has plenty of cash, earning considerably more than it spent in 09/10. It has spent £4 million buying properties in the area for use by charities and may well opt to buy an existing building to relocate NGA at some point. If, as they say, the current NGA buildings are about to fall down they may even do this soon.
As for the space - the plans are available on WBC's website. The main thing to bear in mind is that the Waterside's largest element (climbing wall & water sports) would not move to the Pavillion but to a new location in Northcroft.
Unless WBC come clean on the demise of the Pavillion in the Park very soon NTC's latest bid for lottery cash to revamp the park will collapse like the previous attempt (more taxpayer cash down the drain).
Luckily Blackdog has taken the trouble to explain the current situation to you - saving me the bother.
Greenham Common Trust was set up to stop the land once occupied by RAF Greenham being sold off in bits & pieces & developed. GCT purchased the 1000 acre site & restored 750+ acres to common land & used the 250 acres covered by old RAF buildings & hangars to create New Greenham Park. The reason for this is that NGP - with all those tennants - generates pots of cash which GCT can then spend on local 'good causes'. Almost £15 million spent so far, part of which will be the funding for New Greenham Arts. So as NGA is funded by GCT which has a rather healthy revenus stream from NGP - the tax payer won't be having to pay for much.
Not that tax payers funding this sort of local ammenity is a bad thing.
Do I have experience of the local councils... then you know why I need to be sceptical?
Just how much is not much? If GCT has so much spare cash from their revenue then they should not mind the extra cost for purchasing or leasing a property in the town centre rather than building on the rapidly dwindling green open spaces in Newbury. Especially if the stated hundreds that use the existing NGA Centre are going to carry on using it. Or perhaps using a small section of Greenham Common to build an arts centre on. Or would this be sacrelidge as building on Victoria Park would not be?
As long as the taxpayers are given all the facts, not spin, and are given the chance of a referendum on do they actually want an arts centre.
No guarantee is forever, but GCT was certainly up for funding the pavillion for years to come - as well as putting a million or so into the building fund. RG has recently stated that they have decided to spend that additional money elsewhere - effectively killing off the Pavillion for the time being. I have no idea if he is right.
You can see from the acconts that GCT has plenty of cash, earning considerably more than it spent in 09/10. It has spent £4 million buying properties in the area for use by charities and may well opt to buy an existing building to relocate NGA at some point. If, as they say, the current NGA buildings are about to fall down they may even do this soon.
As for the space - the plans are available on WBC's website. The main thing to bear in mind is that the Waterside's largest element (climbing wall & water sports) would not move to the Pavillion but to a new location in Northcroft.
Unless WBC come clean on the demise of the Pavillion in the Park very soon NTC's latest bid for lottery cash to revamp the park will collapse like the previous attempt (more taxpayer cash down the drain).
Absolutely. Despite there being no viable plan to build the pavilion now, the reluctance to admit it's dead in the water could kill off the NTC bif for £1m+ funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund. If that bid fails, heads should certainly roll at WBDC.
No guarantee is forever, but GCT was certainly up for funding the pavillion for years to come - as well as putting a million or so into the building fund. RG has recently stated that they have decided to spend that additional money elsewhere - effectively killing off the Pavillion for the time being. I have no idea if he is right.
You can see from the acconts that GCT has plenty of cash, earning considerably more than it spent in 09/10. It has spent £4 million buying properties in the area for use by charities and may well opt to buy an existing building to relocate NGA at some point. If, as they say, the current NGA buildings are about to fall down they may even do this soon.
As for the space - the plans are available on WBC's website. The main thing to bear in mind is that the Waterside's largest element (climbing wall & water sports) would not move to the Pavillion but to a new location in Northcroft.
Unless WBC come clean on the demise of the Pavillion in the Park very soon NTC's latest bid for lottery cash to revamp the park will collapse like the previous attempt (more taxpayer cash down the drain).
Absolutely. Despite there being no viable plan to build the pavilion now, the reluctance to admit it's dead in the water could kill off the NTC bif for £1m+ funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund. If that bid fails, heads should certainly roll at WBDC.
Absolutely. Despite there being no viable plan to build the pavilion now, the reluctance to admit it's dead in the water could kill off the NTC bif for £1m+ funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund. If that bid fails, heads should certainly roll at WBDC.
You're fast becoming the boy who cried "heads should roll".
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