Parties attack ?100k Colston Hall plan

Party leaders from across Bristol’s political divide have united to question mayor George Ferguson’s plans to spend £100,000 on the project to redevelop Colston Hall.

Earlier this month, Ferguson asked for the public’s views on how to spend a £3.9m windfall next year, which Bristol City Council has raised through a crackdown on single person council tax discounts.

Among the list for how this cash could be spent was a proposal to spend £100,000 on “a fresh feasibility study into the restoration and further development of the hall, plus examining the ability to secure third party external funding”.

But today the leaders of Labour, Liberal Democrat, Conservative and Green parties released a joint statement to collectively “raise concerns with the mayor’s proposal”.

The leaders said the “unnecessary” feasibility study into the £45m redevelopment plans had already been paid for and that the £100,000 identified should be “used towards a more useful aspect of the programme”.

Among changes to Colston Hall proposed for are a larger stage in the main auditorium, new balconies and the original Victorian windows brought back into use, creating what venue bosses hope to be one of Europe’s leading concert halls.

What the party leaders said:

“A full Options Appraisal, Economic Impact Assessment and Feasibility Study have already been commissioned and carried out for the redevelopment of the hall, funded by Bristol City Council. The hall does not need another feasibility study – what it needs is a commitment to support the transformation programme.”
Labour leader, councillor Helen Holland

“All political parties are in absolute agreement that the future of Colston Hall needs to be secured, and that means vital funding to carry out restorative works. As the building owners, Bristol City Council need to play a part in securing this future, but we are extremely alarmed that this offer of money for a feasibility study is just a delaying tactic, allowing the mayor to avoid committing any real funding for a number of years. A clear and specific committal from the mayor will lever in so much extra funding for Bristol.”
Lib Dem leader, councillor Gary Hopkins

“Colston Hall has developed an ambitious £45m transformation programme that will ensure the vital restorative work is carried out to secure its future and also position the hall as a national centre for entertainment and music education. The city council needs to show its support for this work and agree that the £100,000 identified in the mayor’s proposals is used towards a more useful aspect of the programme and not for an unnecessary feasibility study.”
Conservative leader, councillor Mark Weston

“I am pleased that Colston Hall has been mentioned in the budget consultation, but I understand that a feasibility study has already been completed. The hall has suggested that the money is spent to reduce its future running costs and make it more sustainable, which I support. Colston Hall would like to install solar PV, LED lighting, improve insulation and double glazing. All political leaders in the city need to continue to work together to help Colston Hall get the funding it needs for its future transformation.” 
Green Party leader, councillor Daniella Radice