Lighthouse : Renewed Ideas - Page 2

M_Riaz · November 20th, 2009, 05:36 PM

Will the Glasgow Lighthouse thrive in public hands?

20 November 2009

Peter Wilson says, no, it has long ceased to deliver any genuine national function, but Page Park founder David Page argues that it is time a national institution found a setting in Scotland’s biggest city

'No'

Peter Wilson

Architect and criticThe Lighthouse used to proclaim its activities were “informed” by the Scottish government’s policy for architecture and design. So when the 2005-8 “National Programme” ended, so too did the Lighthouse’s case for substantial public funding.

In truth, the venue had long ceased to deliver any genuine national function and, with much of its activity Glasgow-centric and design rather than architecture oriented, it failed over a decade to build a strong constituency among what should have been its natural primary audience, the Scottish architectural profession.

As a result, few tears have been shed over its descent into administration, but the lack of any post-mortem into the reasons for its decline is likely to ensure that the rump that lingers — far from being a phoenix capable of rising from the ashes — will simply complicate the functions of Architecture and Design Scotland, itself currently seeking a clear raison d’etre.

In addressing the Lighthouse’s future, it is important to distinguish between the role of a national centre for architecture and design, and the building.

The former does not require these particular premises to operate from, and the latter desperately needs its “national” status to continue if it is to have any presence at all.

The hastily thrown together plan to salvage a few jobs is unlikely to survive beyond the next Scottish Parliament election and has little to do with the development of a new, and very necessary, strategy for architecture in Scotland.

'Yes'

David Page

Founder, Page Park ArchitectsThere is a curious strain of thought that heavyweight architectural debate should sit outside the remit of public patronage. It is probably a hangover reaction to the last mid-century’s overweening state paternalism. But you would have thought such attitudes had been overwhelmed by the outpouring of more recent free wheeling, private, self-interest that is steam rollering the overall sense of public good in stockyards of car parking, spic sheds, spray on green and monopoly houses.

However, the view pervades that the Lighthouse will not be able to speak its mind. Whether it can present shows as cutting edge as those frequently staged at Edinburgh’s National Portrait Gallery, National Gallery of Modern Art or National Museum of Scotland, while at the same time acting as the public face for the Royal Commission’s architectural drawing collection will be a question of courageous leadership rather than censorship. It is probably about time a national institution found a setting in Scotland’s biggest city.

OK, it is an embryonic start, but at least it will free the management from the squalid day-to-day struggle to survive in a not particularly supportive economy.

With the right curatorship it should be able to grow to have the equivalent provocative architectural voice of the Netherlands Institute of Architecture in Rotterdam. It will need guts, of course, and will need to be guided with a sense of politic, but there are many who embody such tact. That skill is not the sole ownership of the arts community.

Read more: http://www.bdonline.co.uk/story.asp?...#ixzz0XPk8PoHt

New review for Lighthouse

20 November, 2009

Glasgow City Council has said it will come up with a long-term plan for the future of the Lighthouse architecture centre by next spring

It has now taken over running the building after the Lighthouse charity collapsed into administration at the end of August.

The council’s executive director for development and regeneration Steve Inch and city design adviser Gerry Grams have begun a review that is expected to be completed within four months. The intention is to keep the Lighthouse as an architectural centre for Scotland.

This week, administrator PricewaterhouseCoopers revealed the Lighthouse had posted a £700,000 loss at the end of March 2009.

Read more: http://www.bdonline.co.uk/story.asp?...#ixzz0XPjjzhGs

M_Riaz · November 22nd, 2009, 06:12 PM

Casual catch up for the cross-platformers out there

We meet at 12.30 and natter for an hour. Some eat, some don't!

With a renewed interest the Thursday Glasgow meets at the Doocot are back in action. Join the group to stay updated with the weekly events.

38minutes

Location: Doocot, The Lighthouse, Mitchell Lane, Glasgow

M_Riaz · March 15th, 2010, 07:11 PM

Item 4 (5 pages)

Lighthouse 2010/11

Purpose of Report:

To advise members of proposals for the continued operation of the Lighthouse during 2010/11.

It is recommended that the Committee:

a) Approves the retention of the Lighthouse, under direct Council management, as the
National Centre For Architecture And Design;
b) Notes that Architecture and Design Scotland (A&DS) will contribute approximately
£59,000 and £106,000 towards the operating costs of the building in 2009/10 and
2010/11 respectively;
c) Agrees that the annual income of £250,000 from the basement and ground floor tenants
should be transferred to City Property LLP in return for the provision of a full property
management and letting service
d) Notes that Cordia LLP are now providing all cleansing and catering services for the
building
e) Notes that provision has already been made in the DRS budget to cover the balance of
the Lighthouse running costs for 2010/11;
f) Notes that preliminary discussions are underway with a view to Culture and Sport
Glasgow (CSG) becoming the potential principal lease-holder for the Lighthouse;
g) Notes that a 3 year business plan for the Lighthouse is under preparation; and
h) Notes that if the Lighthouse does not remain in use as a Centre for Architecture and
Design the Council would potentially be liable for repayment of grant funding of at least
£3.5m which was provided towards the original refurbishment programme.

1. BACKGROUND

1.1 Committee has already considered reports on the trading difficulties faced by the
Lighthouse Trust in 2008 and 2009. The range of difficulties which led to this situation
included:
a) Cancellation of the proposed 2nd Six Cities Festival by the Scottish Executive;
b) The costs of participation in the Venice Biennale in 2008 being significantly in excess
of the budget available;
c) Loss of trading income as a result in the general reduction in conference and event
income in 2009,
d) Cancellation of many corporate events during 2009.
1.2 The board of the Lighthouse took a number of contingency measures to react to these
circumstances including:
a) A significant redundancy programme
b) The termination of a number of Lighthouse programmes; and
c) A reduction in opening hours.
1.3 These measures were insufficient to deal with a deteriorating financial position during 2009,
and the Trustees put the business into administration in August 2009. The administration
process was completed in November 2009 and the Lighthouse Trust ceased to operate.
1.4 The financial consequences of the administration to the Council are both negative and
positive, including :-
a) The loss of a long term loan of £230,000 (approx) which had been made to the Trust;
b) The loss of approximately £180,000 which was due to the Council in wage reclaim;
and
c) New income to the Council of approximately £250,000 per annum from the existing
commercial tenants in the building

2.0 CURRENT ACTIONS

2.1 At the time of the administration the Lighthouse had obligations to :
• deliver a programme of exhibitions and events running through to March 2010 - which
involved a range of commercial sponsorships;
• the sub tenants of the building through their individual leasehold entitlements; and
• the Scottish Executive through advance funding paid for a range of design and
architecture related programmes and events, and a programme of capital
improvements, delivered from the Lighthouse.
2.2 On completion of the Administration the Administrator renounced the Lighthouse Trust
lease, and the property reverted to the direct Council management through DRS. At that
point all sub-tenants of the lighthouse Trust became tenants of the Council and all rental
income became payable to the Council. DRS has continued to operate the building at a
‘base’ level.
2.3 Cordia have taken over the cleansing and catering services and the Bistro/Café will reopen
(provisionally) on 8 March.
2.4 In discussion with the Scottish Executive provisional agreement has been reached the :
a) They would fund Architecture and Design Scotland (A&DS) to employ all of the staff
working on their educational and access programmes delivered from the Lighthouse
under TUPE transfer regulations; and
b) The Council would recruit the remaining members of staff (now 5 full time/ 6 part time)
who undertake all of the operational functions of the building, on temporary contracts,
to meet the obligations to events and tenants.
2.5 The Council has also undertaken a full audit of the running costs of the property. These
total approximately £500,000 per annum, with an additional £200,000 per annum in NDR
rate liability unless the property can be leased to an appropriate charitable organisation
who would qualify for NDR exemption for the appropriate parts of the building which
accommodate charitable activities.
2.6 A range of activities are therefore still running within the building, including :
• The two main exhibitions (until the end March)
• Smaller temporary ‘landing’ exhibitions
• The permanent Mackintosh exhibition
• The A&DS Education SUST and Access projects
• Conferences and meetings programme.
3.0 PROPOSALS FOR 2010/11
3.1 Discussions have been underway with the Scottish Executive and A&DS regarding their
request to continue operating within the building, with a view to expanding their presence
and activities. Agreement has now been reached that A & DS will occupy one entire floor
of the building during 2010/11 for which they will contribute £106,000 towards property
costs. This represents a full pro rata share of the operating costs of the building. A&DS
are currently recruiting new staff who will operate an expanded programme of activities in
the lighthouse.
3.2 The current commercial tenants in the building are covered by existing lease arrangements
which will generate approximately £250,000 during 2010/11. This income will transfer to
City Property (Glasgow) LLP who will, in return, provide the full range of property
management and letting services for the building. A number of other organisations have
indicated an interest in locating within the building and discussions are underway which will
increase both trading and rental income.
3.3 Following the completion of the administration, and the renunciation of the lease with the
Lighthouse Trust, bookings are now being accepted for conferences and events, with the
programme of bookings now starting to build up for 2010/11. The estimated income from
this source is £40,000 per annum
3.4 Cordia have taken over the cleaning services following the termination of the existing
contract, have purchased all of the catering facilities and taken over the full catering
operations following the withdrawal of the previous operator. Cordia have the exclusive
rights to provide the catering to all Lighthouse events, and will (provisionally) re-open the
Bistro to the public on 8 March
3.5 Glasgow City Marketing Bureau are providing marketing support for lighthouse events and
services.
3.6 City Building Services LLP will be contracted to undertake some essential property
refurbishment works, using the Better Glasgow Fund budget allocation for Lighthouse
Refurbishment.

4.0 FUTURE PROPOSALS

4.1 The Lighthouse will remain in a transitional period for 2010/11. Considerable support has
been made from the architecture and design community across Scotland to retaining the
Lighthouse as the national centre for architecture and design, albeit recognising that the
facility must operate on a full cost recovery basis.
4.2 The activities outlined above will not fully utilise the building – with the part ground, entire
first floor, part fourth, and potentially part fifth available for alternative uses, including
commercial letting. Discussions are underway with a range of other organisations who
have expressed an interest in a range of activities varying from a ground floor bookshop,
temporary exhibition space, conversion into business incubator units for design based
companies. These are all being progressed by DRS, and a ‘reference‘ group of leading
individuals within the Scottish creative industry community. A business plan for 2010/11
to 2013/14 is under preparation.
4.2 The audit of costs (see above) suggests that the operating costs of the building (including
staff) are approximately £500,000 per annum, rising to approximately £700,000 per annum
if NDR is payable. Based on the income sources identified above the income which could
be generated in 2010/11 will be as follows:
a) Annual contribution from A&DS £106,000
b) New Commercial tenants income £ 50,000
c) Conference/event income £ 40,000
d) Existing property maintenance budget £100,000
e) DRS budget provision £404,000
Total £700,000
4.3 Discussions are underway with CSG with a view to their potentially taking over the head
lease of the Lighthouse and operating the property as a partnership with DRS. This may
remove liability for NDR status for the public areas of the building which accommodate
charitable activities given that CSG qualifies for NDR exemption. CSG have indicated that
they will take a decision ‘in principle’ in March 2010, and subject to completion of a
satisfactory business case will consider taking on the lease and management obligations
from September 2010. Consideration has also been given to introducing other appropriate
charities as the principal leaseholder in the event that CSG decide not to enter into a
Lighthouse partnership.
4.4 In total sufficient resources are available to operate the Lighthouse for 2010/11 on a break
even basis. If an appropriate head tenant, who qualifies for NDR relief, can be secured the
Lighthouse can be operated at a financial saving to the Council.

5.0 FINANCIAL ISSUE

5.1 The Lighthouse was refurbished in 1999 at a cost of £12.5 million. The Council
contributed £1.1 million with the balance of £11.4 million being secured in grant
contributions from a range of other bodies, including the Heritage Lottery Fund (£3.5
million), The Arts Lottery (£2.1 million), The European Regional Development Fund (£4.4
million) and Scottish Enterprise Glasgow.
5.2 Discussions have already been held with the Heritage Lottery Fund, Arts Lottery and
representatives from the former Strathclyde European Partnership. Under the terms of their
funding agreements HLF have the right to seek payment of grant if the building does not
remain in the use for which grant aid was provided (until 2024). ERDF would almost
certainly seek a similar repayment, although the Council would be able to challenge this.
Should the Council decide to close the Lighthouse, or use it for some other purpose, there
could, therefore, be a requirement to repay all (or part) of the £3.5 million provided by HLF.
The discussions which have been held suggest that they could indeed seek full or part
repayment, depending on the eventual mix of uses.
6.0 SERVICE IMPLICATIONS
Financial: The costs detailed within the report can be met within the existing DRS
budget provision. If the Lighthouse does not continue operate broadly in
.line with its original objectives there will be a requirement to repay grant
aid of at least £3.5 million which was secured for the original refurbishment
Legal: None.
Personnel: The contracts of the existing DRS Lighthouse staff will be extended from
30 June 2010 to 31 March 2011.
Service Plan: The proposals are in line with the DRS Service Plan priority on support for
the cultural industries and the Joint Economic Strategy priority programme
for city industries.
Environmental: None.
Development and Regeneration Services
SI (053-10)
4 March 2010-03-04

escotregen · March 17th, 2010, 03:30 PM

There’s an article in todays Herald titled ‘Council in bid to keep celebrated Lighthouse building’s doors open’. Leaving aside the fact that this is not news – not even recent news - it is also stated that;

" Meanwhile, a group including Steve Inch, the council’s executive director of development and regeneration; Seona Reid, the director of Glasgow School of Art, and other interested figures, has been formed to plan a longer-term vision for the building”.

But… erm… Steve Inch has already opted to take the early redundancy package and is leaving his post in the Council… not much room for ‘long term vision’ there then.

November 20th, 2009, 05:36 PM	#21
M_Riaz MORI Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Glasgow Posts: 4,229	Will the Glasgow Lighthouse thrive in public hands? 20 November 2009 Peter Wilson says, no, it has long ceased to deliver any genuine national function, but Page Park founder David Page argues that it is time a national institution found a setting in Scotland’s biggest city 'No' Peter Wilson Architect and criticThe Lighthouse used to proclaim its activities were “informed” by the Scottish government’s policy for architecture and design. So when the 2005-8 “National Programme” ended, so too did the Lighthouse’s case for substantial public funding. In truth, the venue had long ceased to deliver any genuine national function and, with much of its activity Glasgow-centric and design rather than architecture oriented, it failed over a decade to build a strong constituency among what should have been its natural primary audience, the Scottish architectural profession. As a result, few tears have been shed over its descent into administration, but the lack of any post-mortem into the reasons for its decline is likely to ensure that the rump that lingers — far from being a phoenix capable of rising from the ashes — will simply complicate the functions of Architecture and Design Scotland, itself currently seeking a clear raison d’etre. In addressing the Lighthouse’s future, it is important to distinguish between the role of a national centre for architecture and design, and the building. The former does not require these particular premises to operate from, and the latter desperately needs its “national” status to continue if it is to have any presence at all. The hastily thrown together plan to salvage a few jobs is unlikely to survive beyond the next Scottish Parliament election and has little to do with the development of a new, and very necessary, strategy for architecture in Scotland. 'Yes' David Page Founder, Page Park ArchitectsThere is a curious strain of thought that heavyweight architectural debate should sit outside the remit of public patronage. It is probably a hangover reaction to the last mid-century’s overweening state paternalism. But you would have thought such attitudes had been overwhelmed by the outpouring of more recent free wheeling, private, self-interest that is steam rollering the overall sense of public good in stockyards of car parking, spic sheds, spray on green and monopoly houses. However, the view pervades that the Lighthouse will not be able to speak its mind. Whether it can present shows as cutting edge as those frequently staged at Edinburgh’s National Portrait Gallery, National Gallery of Modern Art or National Museum of Scotland, while at the same time acting as the public face for the Royal Commission’s architectural drawing collection will be a question of courageous leadership rather than censorship. It is probably about time a national institution found a setting in Scotland’s biggest city. OK, it is an embryonic start, but at least it will free the management from the squalid day-to-day struggle to survive in a not particularly supportive economy. With the right curatorship it should be able to grow to have the equivalent provocative architectural voice of the Netherlands Institute of Architecture in Rotterdam. It will need guts, of course, and will need to be guided with a sense of politic, but there are many who embody such tact. That skill is not the sole ownership of the arts community. Read more: http://www.bdonline.co.uk/story.asp?...#ixzz0XPk8PoHt New review for Lighthouse 20 November, 2009 Glasgow City Council has said it will come up with a long-term plan for the future of the Lighthouse architecture centre by next spring It has now taken over running the building after the Lighthouse charity collapsed into administration at the end of August. The council’s executive director for development and regeneration Steve Inch and city design adviser Gerry Grams have begun a review that is expected to be completed within four months. The intention is to keep the Lighthouse as an architectural centre for Scotland. This week, administrator PricewaterhouseCoopers revealed the Lighthouse had posted a £700,000 loss at the end of March 2009. Read more: http://www.bdonline.co.uk/story.asp?...#ixzz0XPjjzhGs __________________ Memento mori-Remember that you are mortal!

November 22nd, 2009, 06:12 PM	#22
M_Riaz MORI Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Glasgow Posts: 4,229	Casual catch up for the cross-platformers out there We meet at 12.30 and natter for an hour. Some eat, some don't! With a renewed interest the Thursday Glasgow meets at the Doocot are back in action. Join the group to stay updated with the weekly events. 38minutes Location: Doocot, The Lighthouse, Mitchell Lane, Glasgow __________________ Memento mori-Remember that you are mortal!

March 15th, 2010, 07:11 PM	#23
M_Riaz MORI Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Glasgow Posts: 4,229	Item 4 (5 pages) Lighthouse 2010/11 Purpose of Report: To advise members of proposals for the continued operation of the Lighthouse during 2010/11. It is recommended that the Committee: a) Approves the retention of the Lighthouse, under direct Council management, as the National Centre For Architecture And Design; b) Notes that Architecture and Design Scotland (A&DS) will contribute approximately £59,000 and £106,000 towards the operating costs of the building in 2009/10 and 2010/11 respectively; c) Agrees that the annual income of £250,000 from the basement and ground floor tenants should be transferred to City Property LLP in return for the provision of a full property management and letting service d) Notes that Cordia LLP are now providing all cleansing and catering services for the building e) Notes that provision has already been made in the DRS budget to cover the balance of the Lighthouse running costs for 2010/11; f) Notes that preliminary discussions are underway with a view to Culture and Sport Glasgow (CSG) becoming the potential principal lease-holder for the Lighthouse; g) Notes that a 3 year business plan for the Lighthouse is under preparation; and h) Notes that if the Lighthouse does not remain in use as a Centre for Architecture and Design the Council would potentially be liable for repayment of grant funding of at least £3.5m which was provided towards the original refurbishment programme. 1. BACKGROUND 1.1 Committee has already considered reports on the trading difficulties faced by the Lighthouse Trust in 2008 and 2009. The range of difficulties which led to this situation included: a) Cancellation of the proposed 2nd Six Cities Festival by the Scottish Executive; b) The costs of participation in the Venice Biennale in 2008 being significantly in excess of the budget available; c) Loss of trading income as a result in the general reduction in conference and event income in 2009, d) Cancellation of many corporate events during 2009. 1.2 The board of the Lighthouse took a number of contingency measures to react to these circumstances including: a) A significant redundancy programme b) The termination of a number of Lighthouse programmes; and c) A reduction in opening hours. 1.3 These measures were insufficient to deal with a deteriorating financial position during 2009, and the Trustees put the business into administration in August 2009. The administration process was completed in November 2009 and the Lighthouse Trust ceased to operate. 1.4 The financial consequences of the administration to the Council are both negative and positive, including :- a) The loss of a long term loan of £230,000 (approx) which had been made to the Trust; b) The loss of approximately £180,000 which was due to the Council in wage reclaim; and c) New income to the Council of approximately £250,000 per annum from the existing commercial tenants in the building 2.0 CURRENT ACTIONS 2.1 At the time of the administration the Lighthouse had obligations to : • deliver a programme of exhibitions and events running through to March 2010 - which involved a range of commercial sponsorships; • the sub tenants of the building through their individual leasehold entitlements; and • the Scottish Executive through advance funding paid for a range of design and architecture related programmes and events, and a programme of capital improvements, delivered from the Lighthouse. 2.2 On completion of the Administration the Administrator renounced the Lighthouse Trust lease, and the property reverted to the direct Council management through DRS. At that point all sub-tenants of the lighthouse Trust became tenants of the Council and all rental income became payable to the Council. DRS has continued to operate the building at a ‘base’ level. 2.3 Cordia have taken over the cleansing and catering services and the Bistro/Café will reopen (provisionally) on 8 March. 2.4 In discussion with the Scottish Executive provisional agreement has been reached the : a) They would fund Architecture and Design Scotland (A&DS) to employ all of the staff working on their educational and access programmes delivered from the Lighthouse under TUPE transfer regulations; and b) The Council would recruit the remaining members of staff (now 5 full time/ 6 part time) who undertake all of the operational functions of the building, on temporary contracts, to meet the obligations to events and tenants. 2.5 The Council has also undertaken a full audit of the running costs of the property. These total approximately £500,000 per annum, with an additional £200,000 per annum in NDR rate liability unless the property can be leased to an appropriate charitable organisation who would qualify for NDR exemption for the appropriate parts of the building which accommodate charitable activities. 2.6 A range of activities are therefore still running within the building, including : • The two main exhibitions (until the end March) • Smaller temporary ‘landing’ exhibitions • The permanent Mackintosh exhibition • The A&DS Education SUST and Access projects • Conferences and meetings programme. 3.0 PROPOSALS FOR 2010/11 3.1 Discussions have been underway with the Scottish Executive and A&DS regarding their request to continue operating within the building, with a view to expanding their presence and activities. Agreement has now been reached that A & DS will occupy one entire floor of the building during 2010/11 for which they will contribute £106,000 towards property costs. This represents a full pro rata share of the operating costs of the building. A&DS are currently recruiting new staff who will operate an expanded programme of activities in the lighthouse. 3.2 The current commercial tenants in the building are covered by existing lease arrangements which will generate approximately £250,000 during 2010/11. This income will transfer to City Property (Glasgow) LLP who will, in return, provide the full range of property management and letting services for the building. A number of other organisations have indicated an interest in locating within the building and discussions are underway which will increase both trading and rental income. 3.3 Following the completion of the administration, and the renunciation of the lease with the Lighthouse Trust, bookings are now being accepted for conferences and events, with the programme of bookings now starting to build up for 2010/11. The estimated income from this source is £40,000 per annum 3.4 Cordia have taken over the cleaning services following the termination of the existing contract, have purchased all of the catering facilities and taken over the full catering operations following the withdrawal of the previous operator. Cordia have the exclusive rights to provide the catering to all Lighthouse events, and will (provisionally) re-open the Bistro to the public on 8 March 3.5 Glasgow City Marketing Bureau are providing marketing support for lighthouse events and services. 3.6 City Building Services LLP will be contracted to undertake some essential property refurbishment works, using the Better Glasgow Fund budget allocation for Lighthouse Refurbishment. 4.0 FUTURE PROPOSALS 4.1 The Lighthouse will remain in a transitional period for 2010/11. Considerable support has been made from the architecture and design community across Scotland to retaining the Lighthouse as the national centre for architecture and design, albeit recognising that the facility must operate on a full cost recovery basis. 4.2 The activities outlined above will not fully utilise the building – with the part ground, entire first floor, part fourth, and potentially part fifth available for alternative uses, including commercial letting. Discussions are underway with a range of other organisations who have expressed an interest in a range of activities varying from a ground floor bookshop, temporary exhibition space, conversion into business incubator units for design based companies. These are all being progressed by DRS, and a ‘reference‘ group of leading individuals within the Scottish creative industry community. A business plan for 2010/11 to 2013/14 is under preparation. 4.2 The audit of costs (see above) suggests that the operating costs of the building (including staff) are approximately £500,000 per annum, rising to approximately £700,000 per annum if NDR is payable. Based on the income sources identified above the income which could be generated in 2010/11 will be as follows: a) Annual contribution from A&DS £106,000 b) New Commercial tenants income £ 50,000 c) Conference/event income £ 40,000 d) Existing property maintenance budget £100,000 e) DRS budget provision £404,000 Total £700,000 4.3 Discussions are underway with CSG with a view to their potentially taking over the head lease of the Lighthouse and operating the property as a partnership with DRS. This may remove liability for NDR status for the public areas of the building which accommodate charitable activities given that CSG qualifies for NDR exemption. CSG have indicated that they will take a decision ‘in principle’ in March 2010, and subject to completion of a satisfactory business case will consider taking on the lease and management obligations from September 2010. Consideration has also been given to introducing other appropriate charities as the principal leaseholder in the event that CSG decide not to enter into a Lighthouse partnership. 4.4 In total sufficient resources are available to operate the Lighthouse for 2010/11 on a break even basis. If an appropriate head tenant, who qualifies for NDR relief, can be secured the Lighthouse can be operated at a financial saving to the Council. 5.0 FINANCIAL ISSUE 5.1 The Lighthouse was refurbished in 1999 at a cost of £12.5 million. The Council contributed £1.1 million with the balance of £11.4 million being secured in grant contributions from a range of other bodies, including the Heritage Lottery Fund (£3.5 million), The Arts Lottery (£2.1 million), The European Regional Development Fund (£4.4 million) and Scottish Enterprise Glasgow. 5.2 Discussions have already been held with the Heritage Lottery Fund, Arts Lottery and representatives from the former Strathclyde European Partnership. Under the terms of their funding agreements HLF have the right to seek payment of grant if the building does not remain in the use for which grant aid was provided (until 2024). ERDF would almost certainly seek a similar repayment, although the Council would be able to challenge this. Should the Council decide to close the Lighthouse, or use it for some other purpose, there could, therefore, be a requirement to repay all (or part) of the £3.5 million provided by HLF. The discussions which have been held suggest that they could indeed seek full or part repayment, depending on the eventual mix of uses. 6.0 SERVICE IMPLICATIONS Financial: The costs detailed within the report can be met within the existing DRS budget provision. If the Lighthouse does not continue operate broadly in .line with its original objectives there will be a requirement to repay grant aid of at least £3.5 million which was secured for the original refurbishment Legal: None. Personnel: The contracts of the existing DRS Lighthouse staff will be extended from 30 June 2010 to 31 March 2011. Service Plan: The proposals are in line with the DRS Service Plan priority on support for the cultural industries and the Joint Economic Strategy priority programme for city industries. Environmental: None. Development and Regeneration Services SI (053-10) 4 March 2010-03-04 __________________ Memento mori-Remember that you are mortal! Last edited by M_Riaz; March 15th, 2010 at 07:18 PM.

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March 17th, 2010, 03:30 PM	#24
escotregen Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 157	There’s an article in todays Herald titled ‘Council in bid to keep celebrated Lighthouse building’s doors open’. Leaving aside the fact that this is not news – not even recent news - it is also stated that; " Meanwhile, a group including Steve Inch, the council’s executive director of development and regeneration; Seona Reid, the director of Glasgow School of Art, and other interested figures, has been formed to plan a longer-term vision for the building”. But… erm… Steve Inch has already opted to take the early redundancy package and is leaving his post in the Council… not much room for ‘long term vision’ there then.