Richard Bigg

Thank you. We had to get the full survey done to get a full understanding of the situation. And because it's not an individual ownership building, it was, to be honest, complicated and took some time. And we regret the time that it takes. We've said that at the August meeting. We said at the July meeting. What I can do is work as fast as we can going forward to get things sorted.

Thank you. We had to get the full survey done to get a full understanding of the situation. And because it's not an individual ownership building, it was, to be honest, complicated and took some time. And we regret the time that it takes. We've said that at the August meeting. We said at the July meeting. What I can do is work as fast as we can going forward to get things sorted.

And now we have the full report. Now we understand. the obviously quite serious nature of the RAC that we have in the theatre and in the auditorium, we can move forward. So, yes, it's not perfect, but we did need all that information before we can move forward. Now we've got that, we move forward at the quickest pace we can. So, thank you, Chair.

And now we have the full report. Now we understand. the obviously quite serious nature of the RAC that we have in the theatre and in the auditorium, we can move forward. So, yes, it's not perfect, but we did need all that information before we can move forward. Now we've got that, we move forward at the quickest pace we can. So, thank you, Chair.

to help with the Hunt for a Temporary Event? A great suggestion, Councillor Green. Thank you very much. And yes, absolutely. The more we can do, the more we can help these groups. And they all have, and that is one thing I realised in my conversations, was they all have different needs. And so there's no one-size-fits-all.

to help with the Hunt for a Temporary Event? A great suggestion, Councillor Green. Thank you very much. And yes, absolutely. The more we can do, the more we can help these groups. And they all have, and that is one thing I realised in my conversations, was they all have different needs. And so there's no one-size-fits-all.

And I think we have to remember that the Harlequin wasn't just a theatre event. It was a lot more than that. There was rehearsal space, there was office space, there was the bar, there was the cafe, there was meeting rooms. All of those things, all used by the community, but all were quite different.

And I think we have to remember that the Harlequin wasn't just a theatre event. It was a lot more than that. There was rehearsal space, there was office space, there was the bar, there was the cafe, there was meeting rooms. All of those things, all used by the community, but all were quite different.

And they don't have to be in one place, but we have to meet the needs of as many of those community groups as we can for all different reasons. And I spoke to one that's a group of 20 people that meet once a month to have coffee and have a chat and talk, and they're in a church at the moment, and the church has accommodated them just over the road, and they're carrying on with their meeting.

And they don't have to be in one place, but we have to meet the needs of as many of those community groups as we can for all different reasons. And I spoke to one that's a group of 20 people that meet once a month to have coffee and have a chat and talk, and they're in a church at the moment, and the church has accommodated them just over the road, and they're carrying on with their meeting.

But absolutely, that venue and more like that can make a difference. So absolutely, I appreciate your comment. Councillor Walsh?

But absolutely, that venue and more like that can make a difference. So absolutely, I appreciate your comment. Councillor Walsh?

It's important that we find ways of keeping you informed of progress, but also we really need to understand, while we've got this opportunity, what we do going forward and we want your input on that. And that's why that October engagement session has been done. It may be an evening, it may be over a weekend, we're still working on it.

It's important that we find ways of keeping you informed of progress, but also we really need to understand, while we've got this opportunity, what we do going forward and we want your input on that. And that's why that October engagement session has been done. It may be an evening, it may be over a weekend, we're still working on it.

But we want as many people as possible to come and tell us what they feel the future of live theatre arts culture in our borough would be.

But we want as many people as possible to come and tell us what they feel the future of live theatre arts culture in our borough would be.

I'd urge every member of the public to write to the government and the Arts Council to ask them for funding, because the more funding we can pull together, we know we're going to need money. There is no question. It's going to cost money.

I'd urge every member of the public to write to the government and the Arts Council to ask them for funding, because the more funding we can pull together, we know we're going to need money. There is no question. It's going to cost money.

Myself and all the executive have been pushing for the survey. We want to know what we're dealing with and what the cost implications are. I think it's well understood... Sorry. Sorry. We've been pushing for the survey. We obviously haven't got a survey yet. As soon as we've got... Sorry, if you keep in track, I will have to ask you to be quiet, please, while I'm speaking. Please.

Myself and all the executive have been pushing for the survey. We want to know what we're dealing with and what the cost implications are. I think it's well understood... Sorry. Sorry. We've been pushing for the survey. We obviously haven't got a survey yet. As soon as we've got... Sorry, if you keep in track, I will have to ask you to be quiet, please, while I'm speaking. Please.