Leader’s statement regarding the Subscription Rooms review 10 November 2017
Published: Monday, 13 November, 2017
As local councillors who have tried to serve the best interests of our community for years, we understand the concern felt by the people of Stroud about the fate of the Subscription Rooms, which is such an iconic building at the heart of the town. The report of our task and finish group is to be published on 13 November. The Strategy and Resources Committee will meet on 5 December to consider the group’s report and additional consultation responses.
I wish to make it clear that no decision has yet been made.
In October 2016 all political parties at Stroud District Council agreed to a review of the Subscription Rooms as the council is no longer able to afford to continue the venue’s yearly subsidy of hundreds of thousands of pounds of tax payers' money.
An all-party task and finish group was set up to investigate possible options. In September 2017 the council received three bids, one in-house and two from external organisations.
The group considered the bids according to the criteria agreed at the Strategy and Resources Committee in January 2017: “any solution should not only improve the cost effectiveness for the public but also seek to retain its availability to the public for cultural use.”
Full details of the bids received, along with the group’s report setting out its findings and recommendations are also included and are available via this link from Monday 13 November www.stroud.gov.uk/subroomsreview.
The advance publication of the report, as always planned, will give an opportunity for anyone to comment on the report. In addition there is a public consultation event at the Subscription Rooms on 18 November 9.30am to 1pm.
Leader Stroud District Council