Issue - meetings

Hornsey Town Hall

Councillor Strang declared a personal interest in this item by virtue of being one of the Council’s representatives on the Hornsey Town Hall Creative Trust.

At the invitation of our Chair Councillor Strang responded to the points raised earlier at the Area Forum in relation to plans for Hornsey Town Hall and the interim Hornsey Town Hall users committee. 

The Council had been working in partnership with the Hornsey Town Hall Community Trust to find a solution for the Town Hall which met the objectives of restoring this historically important building and using it in a financially viable way that also had strong community benefits. The Council and the Trust believed that leasing the building to Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts was the option that most fulfilled these aims and objectives.

Under the proposals, Mountview would occupy the Town Hall; surrounding land would be sold by the Council and developed for housing to cover some of the costs of restoring the historic features of the building while Mountview would take responsibility for repairs and maintenance throughout the lease. A number of conditions would be attached to the lease to ensure the ongoing maintenance of the Town Hall and a range of community benefits.

Having noted the position we were of the view that a number of issues required further clarification, including –

·        Role of the Hornsey Town Hall Community Trust vis a vis Mountview both in the future and in the interim

·        Extension of the education and community programme

·        Community access to the asset

·        What role if any there was for the Area Committee

RESOLVED:

That a presentation be made to the next meeting of the Area Committee providing an update on the Hornsey Town Hall including on those specific issues identified above.