Borough backs 'sustainable future' for Norden Farm - concerns and questions as centre works through its financial difficulties

The Royal Borough has pledged its support and encouragement for Norden Farm Centre for the Arts as it works to find solutions to its financial difficulties.

The message was spelled out at last night's cabinet meeting when members received a report from the Norden Farm Task and Finish Group set up by the council to identify the challenges faced by the Maidenhead centre following the withdrawal of Arts Council England funding and make recommendations about future borough support.

However, cabinet expressed concern about the centre's long term financial deficit, its inadequate level of reserves and the lack of public and arts community representation on the Norden Farm board. Members also highlighted the need for a programme that appealed to wider audiences throughout the year.

Cllr Simon Dudley, cabinet member for adult and community services, thanked the task and finish group for its work to help set a clear picture of the situation at Norden Farm.

He said: "Everyone agrees that Norden Farm is a valuable facility for the community and we are totally supportive as the centre brings forward its new business plan to take it towards a sustainable future.

"We believe the trustees and the board have an obligation to make the centre more inclusive and to ensure that our vibrant local arts community is fully represented.

"The council will continue to encourage and support Norden Farm in its efforts to find solutions to its financial difficulties so that it will flourish as a true community arts centre with wide appeal."

Cabinet members underlined their commitment to providing Norden Farm with 'no less financial support than we do today in the current service level agreement' - £100,000 in 2011/12 - but agreed six recommendations* to help the centre find its way to a more secure future.

Notes:

The recommendations agreed by cabinet are as follows:

Cabinet commend the Norden Farm Task & Finish Group (NF T&FG) on a thorough and helpful paper, whilst maintaining our commitment to provide NF with no less financial support than we do today in the current service level agreement (SLA). Recommendations from cabinet:

1. Cabinet would like further details as to the proposed charge from 2004 for £867K and what this related to and whether it was ever registered?
2. Cabinet notes with concern the loss of local Maidenhead arts stakeholder and RBWM representation on the Board of NF in 2002 and resolves to write to the Trustees of NF for an explanation
3. Cabinet notes with concern the potentially inadequate level of reserves/sinking fund balances for required lifecycle maintenance provision of NF and would want to see this as part of the new Business Plan for FY 2012/13 onwards
4. Cabinet looks forward to the new Business Plan from NF as part of the 2012 onwards SLA grant application process and our manifesto commitment to maintain support for our arts centres
5. Cabinet delegates responsibility to the Strategic Director of Adult and Community Services and Lead Member for Adult and Community Services in consultation with the Members of the NF T&FG to negotiate and conclude a new SLA with NF commencing at expiry of the existing SLA; and
6. The Members of the NF T&FG work with NF to address concerns relating to governance and community engagement and representation and look to ensure they form part of the new SLA.

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