Decision details

To propose an Expression of Interest and application to the Arts Council England’s Creative Foundations Fund for investment in new, energy efficient LED lighting for the Palace Theatre stage, to futureproof this historic, grade II listed venue and support improved sustainability in the long-term.

AGREED that

1.      The Portfolio Holder approves the proposal to submit an Expression of Interest in July and a full application in October to the Creative Foundations Fund should the EoI be successful;

2.      The Portfolio Holder approves a capital commitment in principle of between £50,000 and £80,000 (that being 10% of the total cost of the project, for which 5% minimum is required), dependant on the outcome of the application; and

3.      Should the application be successful, the Portfolio Holder will recommend an increase to the capital programme for the total cost of the project, estimated at between £500,000 and £800,000 including the NSDC contribution as detailed above to Cabinet for approval, together with formal approval for use of reserves for the Council’s capital commitment.

The Palace Theatre has been working on plans for a programme of smaller scale interventions to convert its extensive lighting scheme to LED both in the auditorium and on stage over time. A Management Carry Forward request was approved in April to fund the upgrade of the auditorium chandeliers; however the main lighting rig remains the biggest intervention required to improve our environmental responsibility, sustainability and efficiency.

This work will become essential at a point in the future as lamps become more difficult to source and more costly to ship into the country, therefore it is prudent to capitalise on applications that can support the cost of this.