Peter Stewart

Over the course of the next hour, you will hear a cut down version of some of the comments, the questions, the debate, the discussions and sometimes the disagreements as well amongst various councillors and the council leader. And also you'll hear from council staff too. You'll hear the results of what they voted on and also the background as well.

Over the course of the next hour, you will hear a cut down version of some of the comments, the questions, the debate, the discussions and sometimes the disagreements as well amongst various councillors and the council leader. And also you'll hear from council staff too. You'll hear the results of what they voted on and also the background as well.

Not all of the questions, not all of the answers. I've taken out all of the boring bits, but also given you a commentary explainer as we go through, so you know the background to the discussion taking place and the decisions that were made.

Not all of the questions, not all of the answers. I've taken out all of the boring bits, but also given you a commentary explainer as we go through, so you know the background to the discussion taking place and the decisions that were made.

This is the Planet Reigate podcast with Peter Stewart.

This is the Planet Reigate podcast with Peter Stewart.

So thank you very much indeed for listening to this special edition of the show. OK, so this is what they were voting on. And this is what they actually ended up voting through. I mean, you probably know the results by now. So hopefully this isn't too much of a spoiler for you.

So thank you very much indeed for listening to this special edition of the show. OK, so this is what they were voting on. And this is what they actually ended up voting through. I mean, you probably know the results by now. So hopefully this isn't too much of a spoiler for you.

To support groups that previously hired the Harlequin with alternative rehearsal performance spaces through small grants. To expand arts opportunities in Redhill and Boroughwide. To keep the Harlequin services net revenue budget for 25-26 at £360,000.

To support groups that previously hired the Harlequin with alternative rehearsal performance spaces through small grants. To expand arts opportunities in Redhill and Boroughwide. To keep the Harlequin services net revenue budget for 25-26 at £360,000.

to agree to allocate up to £10 million for what they call the Harlequin Theatre and cultural offering in the borough, to get another report, another one, on the future of the Harlequin in June. So this one will be around getting approval for the budget and then getting authority to appoint a design team for new Harlequin plans.

to agree to allocate up to £10 million for what they call the Harlequin Theatre and cultural offering in the borough, to get another report, another one, on the future of the Harlequin in June. So this one will be around getting approval for the budget and then getting authority to appoint a design team for new Harlequin plans.

to agree costs and responsibilities with the head leaseholder of the Warwick Quadrant and sort out a time frame as well. And also, in June, the Council will get another report on the detailed costed feasibility and potential for a 200-seater performance venue in Redhill. while the Harlequin is being rebuilt. Now, that would cater for commercial and community hirers.

to agree costs and responsibilities with the head leaseholder of the Warwick Quadrant and sort out a time frame as well. And also, in June, the Council will get another report on the detailed costed feasibility and potential for a 200-seater performance venue in Redhill. while the Harlequin is being rebuilt. Now, that would cater for commercial and community hirers.

In total, eight different items they were being asked to vote on. And you'll hear the full list of those towards the end of the programme when they actually vote on those. So, that's what happened on the night of Thursday, the 30th of January, 2025. Now... That part of the council meeting started around five to eight. It went on until five to ten.

In total, eight different items they were being asked to vote on. And you'll hear the full list of those towards the end of the programme when they actually vote on those. So, that's what happened on the night of Thursday, the 30th of January, 2025. Now... That part of the council meeting started around five to eight. It went on until five to ten.

So obviously it was a really big commitment to sit through it all, either online or in person. But you know what? You don't have to because I did it for you. We now present the edited highlights from the council meeting with explainer commentary. It's what you need to know without the boring bits in the next dramatic act of our much loved beleaguered theatre space.

So obviously it was a really big commitment to sit through it all, either online or in person. But you know what? You don't have to because I did it for you. We now present the edited highlights from the council meeting with explainer commentary. It's what you need to know without the boring bits in the next dramatic act of our much loved beleaguered theatre space.

So that council meeting was about what they called the future service delivery of arts and culture in the borough. It's because, of course, of that crumbly concrete rack which has forced the closure of the building since September 2023.

So that council meeting was about what they called the future service delivery of arts and culture in the borough. It's because, of course, of that crumbly concrete rack which has forced the closure of the building since September 2023.