Arts Hub Unanimously Clears Final Council Hurdle (With Wishlist)

Wrexham’s Arts Hub plans were given the expected rubber stamp yesterday by Wrexham Council’s Executive Board, formalising the decision to press ahead made in Scrutiny last week.

The debate had an odd element with a continuation of Scrutiny style questions by Cllr Dana Davies, who clearly felt that she was cut off at the previous meeting and unable to complete her queries. Due to this the Councillor questions element was dominated by her queries in the unusual ‘carrying on’ of Scrutiny.

In our report from last week we noted the haste of the Scrutiny meeting meant that the vote itself was a confused affair, with a 7pm meeting closing time appearing to be the target rather than covering all questions.

Councillor Hugh Jones recounted his now familiar overview of the proposals, with some added flavour to keep long term observers interested, namely highlighting a consultants (4th Street) client list (Heritage Lottery Fund, Historic England, BBC, National Trust, Historic Royal Palaces etc.) to back up the validity and quality of the Arts Hub business plan, with 4th Street ‘not going to put reputation at risk by presenting a flawed report’.

Cllr Jones also gave more detail to the beginnings of the project citing a Wrexham Leader front page from around 2009 that highlighted the decline in business in town with Eagles Meadow and the ‘Credit Crunch’ being blamed.

Meetings in 2010 were referenced discussing the future of the Markets, and in June 2010 a ‘review’ was carried out. From there the now well documented path through to ‘Quaterbridge’ was explained, with the debate surrounding the decisions and routes taken ongoing. This context was placed with Cllr Jones trying to explain that the Arts Hub plan was a longer evolved process and ‘a result of a number of factors’ and ‘not a result of anything we have done ourselves recently’.

Reiterating the desire to leverage £1.5m of Council spending to attract £3m of outside funding Cllr Jones said he ‘believes financially this project makes economic sense’, and that it would send a message that ‘we as a council agree with Arts Council Wales assumption that Wrexham has the potential to become a regional centre for arts and culture’, and ‘It says to the owners of TJ Hughes that we are investing in life and vitality in this part of town, which is what they have said is vital for the success of that building.”

The lengthy introduction by Cllr Jones was described as Cllr Rogers as ‘setting the record straight’ in terms of the background of the Arts Hub plans and on consultations, with meetings ongoing as recently as Friday to ‘take questions and give answers to members of the community and traders’.

Clr Dana Davies says the Scrutiny ‘ran out of time’ and now goes on to ask Scrutiny questions ‘left over’ at this Exec Board on Arts Hub.

— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) January 12, 2016

Cllr Dana Davies queried if there was due to be a Trust running the Arts Hub, would that also control and run the other two indoor markets. The meeting was told no, independence would be maintained for the other two markets.

Cllr Davies also asked if the reduction of parking prices also announced in the same meeting could impact the business plan. Cllr Jones replied that the goal was £1.55 per space per day, and indicated there would not be an issue.

Several other points were made, including a query over if Wrexham Council would be funding the Arts Hub in 10 years. Cllr Davies was told the Council was making a decision to invest, ‘Will we be doing it in 10 years time? I can’t guarantee anything.”

Clr Phil Wynn also up to ask Arts Hub Q, but more of a comment saying he hopes the work does not adversely impact on traders in the markets.

— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) January 12, 2016

The recommendations to be voted on had an extra section added to contain ‘six assurances’ given to the Scrutiny Committee last week. Although at the time we reported that ‘assurances’ had been added on they were not listed, debated nor confirmed at the time.

Appears contains notes from the Scrutiny compiled into a more formal wishlist afterwards – appears not formalised at the Scrutiny meeting.

— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) January 12, 2016

Appears formal ‘reassurance’ note was only circulated this afternoon and therefore is not in the public documentation ahead of this meeting.

— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) January 12, 2016

Cllr Bill Baldwin read the assurances to the meeting which included consideration of ‘Plan B’ proposals in to the final Arts Hub plan, a ‘package of care’ for traders, accommodation for traders, future ‘investment’ in the Peoples Market carpark if there is Vibrant & Viable Places funding slippage and assurances to the viability of the General and Butchers Market.

There is no detail on the funding, make up or detail of the assurances. There is no indication if the assurances are single listed items as above, or contain further details, definitions and timescales.

Today it was said that the list of assurances had been circulated the same day, however after the meeting we asked a couple of Councillors if they had a full copy. One Councillor helpfully checked their email and was unable to find a copy, and we have requested a copy from Wrexham Council direct. Due to the meeting entering a private ‘Part 2’ we were unable to ask the Clerk or others inside for a copy.

Arts Hub PASSED unanimously by Council’s Exec Board. Will try & get sight of ‘assurances’ list that was tacked on to recommendation today.

— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) January 12, 2016

(An alternative reality report is available on BBC iPlayer of Wales Today national news bulletin, that says the plans approved today include a roof top cinema. There is a £145.50 prize to anyone who can prove that is accurate.)

UPDATE WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON:
Following the meeting yesterday Wrexham Council has kindly sent over the ‘assurances’ document referenced in the above article, which is copied below in full for those readers who are interested. The ‘Plan B’ referenced can be found via this article earlier this month.

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SCRUTINY COMMENTS
The proposals set out in this report were considered by the Employment, Business & Investment Scrutiny Committee at the meeting held on 6 January 2016. Representatives of the Markets Board were also present at the meeting and were invited to present their views on the proposals.

The Committee supported the recommendations which are set out in the report, subject to the following assurances which were provided at the Scrutiny meeting:-

• Consideration would be given as to how some of the proposals set out in the ‘Plan B’ which had recently been submitted to him by a members of the Town Centre Forum, Business Group and Market Traders, could be incorporated into the proposed redevelopment of the existing People’s Market building as an arts, cultural and market space.
• Proposals for the creation of a new arts, cultural and market space would include a package of care to all market traders (i.e. events promotion, ways to increase footfall in the interim period, provision of accommodation during the build phase).
• All existing traders who wished to be part of the redevelopment of the existing People’s Market building as an Arts, Cultural and Market Space could be accommodated.
• If the proposal to redevelop the People’s Market building as an Arts, Cultural and Market Space were progressed, the Butchers Market and the General Market, together with the town centre shops and outdoor market, would remain viable and as long as the expenditure is reviewed and controlled they could generate a surplus which could be re-invested in the markets.
• Future investment in the People’s Market car park would remain high on the agenda if there were any slippage on VVP funding going forward.
• The proposal for the redevelopment of the existing People’s Market would result in a loss of 20 spaces in the Market car park and not the loss of a whole floor.

Recommendation (iv) regarding any potential loss of income from car parking was not included in the report which was submitted to the Scrutiny Committee.

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