New pavilion funding proposed

An agreement of up to 567,000 in 2008/09, with a possible increase to 579,000 by 2010/11, has been proposed by Rother District Council.

But some of the money will come with 'strings attached' subject to public satisfaction with the building.

Rother's pavilion working group will take its report to the council's overview and scrutiny committee on Monday (January 28).

The new funding agreement will last for a six year term from April 1 2008 to March 31 2014, with a review of stakeholder's finances after three years.

They have proposed a fixed yearly grant of 500,000 for the pavilion.

Subject to council approval, a 40,000 annual capital grant, increasing by 2.5 per cent each year, will be made available for the maintenance of the building.

An annual discretionary sum of 15,000, increasing by 5,000 each year, will be paid if the organisation meets targets set from an annual survey of Rother residents.

Community groups will be able to apply for money from a 12,000 fixed grant to help them utilise De La Warr Pavilion facilities.

Rother's package would match Arts Council England funding of 538,025 a year, increasing to 567,471 by 2010/11, subject to final approval this week.

Rother head of service, Madeleine Gorman, says risks remain outside the council's control, such as the pavilion achieving its forecast financial position, continued Arts Council England funding and the views of the media.

In a risk assessment to members, she said: "The biggest single risk to Rother District Council if we get the funding package wrong is that the pavilion passes back to Rother.

"While it is recognised that the council wishes to re-focus its financial commitment so that specific benefits are achieved through the funding agreement we need to be cautious.

"The partnership between the key funders is at risk if the funding balance is shifted to the extent that it impacts upon the funding decisions of Arts Council England South East and subsequently the financial position of the De La Warr Pavilion Charitable Trust. Action by Rother District Council to significantly reduce its overall level of funding for the De La Warr Pavilion will have a 'double impact' as the Arts Council England South East will then also reduce funding.

"The De La Warr Pavilion Charitable Trust while having achieved a number of successes is still relatively 'young' and has existing financial commitments (a significant overdraft to pay off over four years).

"If the council makes the discretionary (reward) element of the funding package too high then payment administration throughout the year will be essential to minimise the cashflow risk to the De La Warr Pavilion. This would necessitate higher council client costs in order to assess performance and make regular payments accordingly."