Agenda item - Written Questions from Councillors

Foredown Tower – Written question from Councillor Davis (copy attached).

78.1    The Cabinet Member reported that one written question had been received from Councillor Davis as follows:-

“Could the Cabinet Member update me on the Foredown Tower in relation to negotiations with the Sea Cadets for use and upkeep of the building, the application for Heritage Lottery funding and plans for the centenary celebrations this year.”

78.2    The Cabinet Member reported that Councillor Davis had been updated on the latest position at the Culture Tourism and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 5 February 2009 as follows:-  

            Hove and Adur Sea Cadets

78.3    Meetings have been held with the Hove and Adur Sea Cadets to draw up Heads of Terms for the lease of the Tower. These would be sent by the City Council to the Sea Cadets in the next few weeks. 

78.4    Mike Feist had joined the management committee of the Hove and Adur Sea Cadets and was able to provide advice on the Tower as a visitor facility. It was the intention of the Cadets to open the Tower as a visitor attraction as well as use it as their base for sea cadet training activities.

78.5    The council and the Sea Cadets were continuing to look into the feasibility for the establishment of a Community Trust for the Tower.

Astronomy

78.6    The Foredown Tower Astronomy groups, which was an adult education class had now established itself as an astronomical society, Foredown Tower Astronomers. It had its inaugural meeting at the Tower on 15^th January and now meets at the Tower every Thursday of the month. It would continue to meet at the Tower under the new arrangements with the cadets.

Centenary

78.7    The Tower would be opening to the public at the beginning of March.

A weekend event to mark the centenary was being planned for August and details for event were being worked out at present. The Royal Pavilion and Museums was planning to work with the rangers and local historians, amongst others on this event.

78.8    The Astronomers were planning a series of monthly events to mark the Tower’s centenary and the International Year of Astronomy. These events were being publicised through the museums’ service publicity. There would also be a programme of family activities during 2009 which would mark the centenary of the Tower.

78.9    Councillor Davis asked about progress on the negotiations for the lease of the Foredown Tower.  The Principal Solicitor explained that he and the Head of Museums & Royal Pavilion had met with the council’s internal estates team to discuss the Heads of Terms.  He was waiting for amendments to clarify points from the estates team.  The Sea Cadets had appointed a lawyer to represent them.  Discussions had gone well with the Sea Cadets.  It had been agreed by a previous Cabinet Member Meeting that there could be temporary use by the Sea Cadets.  

78.10  Councillor Davis asked for clarification on the application to the Lottery Fund.  The Director replied that following an application to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), the Fund had raised some concerns about capacity to deliver a one year programme, particularly alongside the “My Pavilion” heritage project.  It had been decided to work with Sea Cadets on a 3 year plan for a revised Heritage Lottery Bid.