Issue - meetings

The Cabinet Member considered a report on the future delivery options for the operational management of the Old Town Hall, Macclesfield.

The current refurbishment of the Old Town Hall, Macclesfield would address the longstanding issue of the decline in the quality of the fabric of the building and provide a high quality environment for the provision of a wider variety of functions ranging from much needed conference facilities, theatre productions and weddings to small music recitals, exhibitions and community group meetings.

However, a high quality environment alone would not secure the Old Town Hall’s place as the cultural centre of a redeveloped Macclesfield Town Centre. A high quality operational and service delivery model was central to the future success of the facility.

It was for this reason that the Council proposed to extend the approach adopted in respect of the Lyceum Theatre and other facilities and seek to appoint a specialist operator to take full operational control of the management of the Old Town Hall. Such an approach would ensure the provision of a service which would put the Old Town Hall at the centre of the community and provide a venue which could cater for all.

RESOLVED

That

(1)  the vision and objectives for management of the Old Town Hall be approved as outlined in Section 10 of the report;

(2)  Cheshire East Council seek to procure a service provider to deliver the operational management of the Old Town Hall, Macclesfield;

(3)  the appointment of the service provider be undertaken in accordance with the obligations imposed on public bodies by the public procurement regime; and

(4)  delegated authority be given to the Strategic Director for Places and Organisational Capacity to award a contract and grant a lease to the preferred bidder, in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holder(s).