Issue - meetings

The Leader reported on proposed new arrangements with Barking and Dagenham College in respect of the Broadway Theatre, which would also see the Barbican Guildhall London using the venue as the base of its operations in east London.

The Leader explained that the venue would continue to serve communities of all ages while the involvement of the Barbican Guildhall would specifically enable more young people to have the best opportunities to work alongside industry professionals as part of their progression into vocational training, higher education and employment. 

The new arrangements would involve the lease of the venue to the College who would, in turn, provide the Barbican Guildhall with a long term residency.  The Leader commented that the arrangement would not only create an exciting new partnership in the Borough but would also mean that the Council could redirect the revenue support that it had been providing towards the Broadway Theatre, which at approximately £250,000 per annum was the equivalent of operating three libraries.

Cabinet resolved:

(i)  To approve, in principle, the lease of the Broadway Theatre to Barking and Dagenham College on a commercial rent and full repairing base; and

(ii)  That a further report be presented to Cabinet to seek approval to formally assign the lease, which may include a variation of the rental terms.