WATFORD MUSICAL HERITAGE

Watford Borough Council

Policy Development Scrutiny Committee – Development Project

 Scope and terms of reference for the Colosseum building

 Introduction

 At its meeting on 11 July 2006 the Policy Development Scrutiny Committee resolved to undertake a review of the future of the Colosseum both as a building and a facility.

 Why undertake this review?

 Members understand that the Colosseum is a major Council asset that has a doubtful future because of question marks over its use and funding.  Members are conscious that there is significant public interest in the future of the Colosseum, following the failure of the contract operator two years ago.   

Objectives & Outcomes

 Objectives 

1)      To determine the extent to which current use meets the needs of people who live in Watford.

2)      To assess the potential for increasing the use of the Colosseum and the resulting benefits for the town.

3)      To assess a range of potential uses for this capital asset.

4)      To determine how the Colosseum relates with the Council’s Cultural Strategy.

5)      To examine options of the operational alternatives for ownership, management of the Colosseum for the maximum benefit of the people of Watford.

6)      In the case of an “in-house” option, to assess the current and future costs to the Council of supporting the Colosseum under the options available to it and whether they represent value for money.

Outcome

 To provide a recommendation on the best future use of the Colosseum taking into account the building and the facility.  In this context “best” is defined as making a judgment based on costs, demand and long term potential.

Tasks/Terms of Reference 

• To conduct a scrutiny review of all issues surrounding the Colosseum. 
• To look at past and current uses of the Colosseum and compare to its capacity and potential.
• To examine current and assess potential uses for the Colosseum – including making a visit to a council which successfully operates or owns has a similar facility. 
• To review the place of the Colosseum in the Council’s cultural strategy.
• To examine Council plans for the maintenance and renovation of the Colosseum.
• To examine the consultants report (November 2004) on the Colosseum and to assess the progress of its recommendations.
• To examine the current funding for the Colosseum and longer term funding issues.
• To consider alternative forms of finance.
• To examine public opinion on the options, uses and costs for the Colosseum.

• To consider existing and future policy for subsidised use of the Colosseum by community organisations.