Resolved: That

the exempt appendix be noted.

The Assistant Director – Leisure, Libraries and Customer Engagement presented the report of the Director of Neighbourhood Services which provided an update and information on the proposed short term and medium to long term operational proposals for the future of the Floral Pavilion Theatre & Conference Centre in New Brighton following concerns expressed at the July 2023 meeting of this Committee at the estimated budgeted out-turn for the Floral Pavilion of circa £1.4m. The forecasted net cost of provision for the Floral Pavilion at year end 2023/4 was estimated to be circa £803k. The operational net subsidy for the 2024/5 financial year had been set at £500k, with plans in place for monitoring of the budget.

Members asked questions about the actions taken and opportunities to increase revenue and praised the more diverse programme of events being offered.

Resolved: That the Director of Neighbourhoods be authorised to:-

1. Continue to operate the Floral Pavilion as a Council asset for the 2024/5 financial year the within a net operational budget of £500,000, whilst continuing to identify and implement any efficiency or operational savings as are required to remain within this budget.
2. Implement the immediate efficiency measures identified in the Section 4.2 to 4.4 of this report; and

3.  Continue with the process of market engagement to establish an alternative operating model to protect the future provision and retention of the venue including the appointment of a commercial operator or the establishment of a charitable trust.