Lib Dems Pose Questions on Civic Hall

10.55.13am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 25th May 2006

The Liberal Democrats believe there are questions which must be answered in public before any decision is made about whether or not to enter into the Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Surrey and other partners concerning the possible replacement of the Civic with a multi-agency arts facility on the University campus at Stag Hill.

Liberal Democrat Leader Cllr Fiona White says "The information provided to councillors and the public is disgracefully skimpy. The Conservatives cannot afford to make another mistake on the Civic. The Council must make its decision based on full information."

Cllr White has submitted a list of 20 questions for the Borough Council's Executive meeting on Thursday:

1. Who are the un-named partners? (It is inappropriate for the Council to enter into such an agreement with anonymous partners.)

2. Is the principle of the proposal in terms of building, car-parking and traffic generation acceptable to Planning Officers?

3. What would be the impact of traffic generation in surrounding wards, particularly Onslow and Westborough?

4. What would be the likely effect on town centre businesses (particularly shops and restaurants) of locating the Civic replacement away from the town centre?

5. What proportion of the estimated £200,000 annual rent would the Council have to pay?

6. In view of the statement by the University representative at the live music discussion that they did not have any money available but their contribution would be the land, why is it necessary to pay rent to the University for the use of the site?

7. What kinds of uses do the University and other potential partners expect to accommodate in the facility and, given the University's security policies, what access would be available to Civic users?

8. Will the facility offer all the uses previously available at the Civic, including community uses and day-time events?

9. Who will control usage of the facility, and what will be the extent of the Council's control over programming?

10. Is there any truth in the rumour that the University would wish to use the centre during the day, and if so what would happen to the multitude of activities that used to book the Civic during the day?

11. What are the benefits and disbenefits for the borough community, both social and economic?

12. What do borough residents think of the proposal?

13. What assumptions are being made about the use of the London Road site ?

14. What is the cost comparison, both capital and revenue, compared with refurbishment or new-build at the London Road site?

15. What would be the financial contribution of the other partners?

16. What grants are expected to be available for such a shared facility? /continues

17. What liabilities would the council face should any of the other partners be unable to meet their obligations under the Memorandum of Understanding?

18. What will be the membership of the proposed Steering Committee for management of the project, and how will decisions on future budgets be made?

19. What are the views of organisations previously using the Civic about relocation to the university campus?

20. What would be the effect of the loss of student accommodation, both for students themselves and in its impact on availability of rented accommodation in the town?