Agenda item

To receive an update from Councillor Dan Adams on his work during 2019/20 in his capacity as Portfolio Holder for Places and Strategy.

(Note: A more indepth report from Camberley Theatre’s Manager is attached as an Annex to the Portfolio Holder’s report.)

Councillor Dan Adams presented an update on the work carried out to date during the 2019/20 municipal year in his capacity as Executive Portfolio Holder for Places and Strategy.  The portfolio covered four main service areas:

·         Recreation and Business

·         Parking Services

·         Commercial and Community Development

·         Camberley Theatre

Analysis of theatre ticket sales showed that the majority of those visiting the theatre lived in the GU15 area however a number of recent show from national acts had brought visitors in from further afield.  Whilst efforts were made to ensure that the price of theatre tickets was consistent, ticket prices were set by a visiting act’s agent and there were limited opportunities for more flexible pricing.  Discounts were available for those in receipt of Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payments and the possibility of introducing other discount schemes for example a ‘Pay what you like’ scheme for certain performances was being explored.

The Theatre had benefited from the increased resourcing available from the Council’s Communications and Marketing Team which had resulted in a significant reduction in the costs associated with producing high quality promotional materials. 

The 2019 Pantomime had been the biggest selling pantomime in the theatre’s history, generating ticket sales of £229,804.90.  Analysis of those attending the pantomime had found that audience members were coming to Camberley Theatre’s pantomime in preference to those performances at larger venues for example Woking.  A new initiative in 2019, was the development of a special performance of the pantomime where sign language was taught to the cast and then fully integrated into the performance.  The feedback from this performance had been overwhelmingly positive and it was hoped to be able to continue these special performances in future years. 

Funding for the refurbishment of the theatre’s frontage had been approved and the Council would shortly being going out to tender for a contractor to take this work forward.  It was agreed that the possibility of extending this work to improve the appearance of the landscaping immediately outside the theatre would be explored.

It was clarified that the introduction of a new booking system for the Borough’s publically owned tennis courts was part of a scheme to ensure that they became self-financing and sustainable in the future. Pricing had been set so that it was competitive with similar courts in neighbouring areas and the funds raised would be used to supplement the budget available for maintenance.  A rolling programme of maintenance and upgrade work for all the Borough’s public tennis courts was being developed and where courts had been identified as being under used alternative uses were being explored for example converting them for other sports.

It was acknowledged that the increase in traffic at Watchetts Recreation Ground had contributed to the breakdown of the access road and a funding request to cover the cost of resurfacing work would be considered by the Executive in the near future.

It was noted that it was too early to ascertain the impact that closing the High Street to vehicular traffic was having.  However the one hour’s free parking offer in the Knoll Road multi-storey car park was being monitored.

The Committee was informed that the cleaning of public toilets would be reviewed as part of work to retender the Grounds Maintenance Contract.

The Commercial and Community Development Team were commended for the development of the targeted health and well-being scheme and the expansion of the range of activities that were accessible to residents through the scheme.

The Committee thanked Councillor Adams for his update.