Next Steps Agreed

ROCHFORD District Council has agreed the next steps for the future of the Mill Hall Arts & Events Centre and the Freight House.
The next steps were aggreged at a meeting of the Strategy, Finance, Policy & Economic Development Committee on Tuesday 21 July. The decisions will help move forward plans for both buildings and ensure they continue to serve local residents and communities.
Members agreed that the Council will continue to run the Mill Hall Arts & Events Centre for the time being after a process to find an external operator did not result in a suitable appointment. While organisations were interested in the venue, feedback showed that the proposed contract placed too much financial and operational risk on a future operator.
The Council will now continue to run the venue while looking at other partnership and operational opportunities and will explore improvements to reduce costs, increase income and strengthen its long-term future.
The Committee also agreed to continue work on identifying the best long-term operating model for the Freight House. Members approved a two-month extension to allow further discussions with Rochford Town Council about a possible Community Asset Transfer and to carry out more detailed work with the two strongest organisations that came forward through the Expression of Interest process. This work will help the Council decide on the most suitable and sustainable way to run the building in the future.
In addition, councillors agreed to establish task and finish groups to oversee progress on both the Mill Hall and the Freight House. The groups will monitor the development of proposals for the two Council-owned assets and help ensure momentum is maintained. Members also agreed that officers and the task and finish groups should report back to the Committee within two months with viable options and recommendations for both sites.
Coun Adi Malviya, Leader of Rochford District Council and Chair of the Strategy, Finance, Policy & Economic Development Committee, said: “I know there is a long history behind both the Mill Hall and the Freight House and I am keen that we continue to make progress on plans for these important community assets.
“These decisions allow us to keep moving forward, explore the opportunities available and make sure we secure the best possible operational model and occupiers to protect these important community assets into the future so they can continue to benefit residents, support local people and play an important role in the district for many years to come.
“Last night at the Committee we heard what was important to councillors but I have also been very clear that the priorities and views of residents are very important when the council are making decisions. This month, the Council’s budget survey opens and it will be one of the way that residents can tell us what is important to them, especially when it comes to council assets and what services they want to see investment in.”
Further reports on both projects will be brought back to Members as the next stages of work are completed.
Picture: Mill Hall
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