Andrew Proudfoot

Eleven months on, this council has still not done the essential intrusive rack survey or even got ahead with planning for our future theatre provision. And what of all the important interim plans for facilities to bridge those months of construction works? Furthermore, this paper proposes cuts to the Harlequin's professional staff

Eleven months on, this council has still not done the essential intrusive rack survey or even got ahead with planning for our future theatre provision. And what of all the important interim plans for facilities to bridge those months of construction works? Furthermore, this paper proposes cuts to the Harlequin's professional staff

and add yet more to the mountain of difficulties faced by the arts in this borough.

and add yet more to the mountain of difficulties faced by the arts in this borough.

Residents want our council to secure an indoor space for major choral works that require a large choir and orchestra and for operatic and drama groups that need a backstage set-up more elaborate than any church hall can provide.

Residents want our council to secure an indoor space for major choral works that require a large choir and orchestra and for operatic and drama groups that need a backstage set-up more elaborate than any church hall can provide.

Finally, we urge the management to investigate the big space of the Harlequin stage for photography and art exhibitions, for a literary festival in conjunction with a refurbished library next door, for trade fairs or even a Christmas market or a beer festival. The list is very long.

Finally, we urge the management to investigate the big space of the Harlequin stage for photography and art exhibitions, for a literary festival in conjunction with a refurbished library next door, for trade fairs or even a Christmas market or a beer festival. The list is very long.

Let's increase the seating capacity of our theatre in a refurbished Harlequin so that bigger and more ambitious shows can agree to come here in the future. It is disappointing to note that this motion is being referred to council without the opportunity for democratic debate.

Let's increase the seating capacity of our theatre in a refurbished Harlequin so that bigger and more ambitious shows can agree to come here in the future. It is disappointing to note that this motion is being referred to council without the opportunity for democratic debate.

I would urge the council's executive to reverse its current reduced provision for the arts and set about providing residents with a cast iron commitment to bring back a better facility as quickly as possible. Please can we be assured that there will be carefully thought out interim measures and a substantial long term plan before our Harlequin Theatre is reopened. Thank you Mr Mack.

I would urge the council's executive to reverse its current reduced provision for the arts and set about providing residents with a cast iron commitment to bring back a better facility as quickly as possible. Please can we be assured that there will be carefully thought out interim measures and a substantial long term plan before our Harlequin Theatre is reopened. Thank you Mr Mack.