Tenby Town Council look set to hand over the town's De Valence Pavilion to a not-for-profit trust as part of a package of proposals designed re-vamp the building and boost the town's economy.

The town council-run pavilion currently loses between £30,000 and £50,000 a year, which is made up from the town's annual precept.

However, councillors heard on Tuesday that if they gave a grant of £35,000 a year to a not-for-profit trust for the next three years, this could, along with the £10,000 the council pays the De Valence account for office accommodation, be used to obtain European Objective One match-funding.

The idea was put to the council on Tuesday night by Mr. Mike Thorne and Mr. John Hughes, of Tenby 2020.

Mr. Hughes explained that the appointment of a town manager had been an aspiration for many years, and had been re-affirmed by Tenby 2020's visioning exercise in 1999 and subsequent Action Plan.

The Stevens Report of 2001 also highlighted the importance of a specific resort manager in any future programme for work for Tenby, while Tenby's recent designation as a Tourism Growth Area also enhanced the need for such a post.

"As a result, Tenby 2020 set about thinking about a way we could take this forward," explained Mr. Hughes.

The organisation had looked at Haverfordwest who appointed a town manager some three years ago.

Funding had come from Pembrokeshire County Council for the first two years, but the last year funding for the post had come through a partnership between the county council, Haverfordwest Town Council and the town's Chamber of Commerce, which was match-funded by European Objective One.

TENBY TOWN

PARTNERSHIP

As a result, Tenby 2020 had unanimously agreed to try and form a Tenby Town Partnership, an idea which had been given the full backing of the town's Chamber of Trade and Tourism just prior to Christmas.

Mr. Thorne said that the De Valence Pavilion was seen as the foundation stone of the partnership.

A feasibility study into its enhancement was already underway, with architects set to be appointed by the end of the week to look into its redevelopment.

The town council's 1999 experiment to employ a business manager for the pavilion had proved unsuccessful for various reasons, and the building was losing upwards of £35,000 a year.

He pointed out that few theatres were run by councils, with most of the smaller ones, like the Torch in Milford Haven and Theatre Mwldan, being run as not-for-profit trusts, which meant they were more readily able to attract charitable donations, raise money from government organisations and attract volunteer effort.

"The De Valence is a bit outdated and, as we had to find local money before we could apply for match-funding from Objective One, it dawned on us that if we used money already committed by the town council we could have lift off," explained Mr. Thorne.

In addition to a commitment of £45,000 from the council, further funding from the county council, the Chamber of Trade and Tourism, major local businesses, PLANED, and income from advertising, would bring another £19,000 to give a total of locally raised funds of £64,000. This could enable an application for a further £46,000 from Objective One to amass some £110,000 a year.

RESORT MANAGER

This money could go towards funding the existing running costs of the pavilion and the salaries of the De Valence's existing caretaker/front of house manager, a resort manager to co-ordinate events in the town and a deputy resort manager/De Valence manager.

This would, suggested Mr. Thorne, then make it possible to run a much bigger programme of events, both indoors and outdoors, to attract more visitors over a longer period and thereby support the businesses of the town and those who work in them.

Mr. Thorne envisaged that, providing the necessary consents were obtained from the county council and the Wales Tourist Board, a trust could be set up by Easter and the pavilion transferred.

During the rest of 2003 the trust would then raise money to rebuild the De Valence and obtain all the necessary consents.

Over the same period an Objective One funding bid would be made and the Town Partnership set up.

By the beginning of 2004, the partnership would be launched, with building works at the pavilion beginning.

In was envisaged that the new pavilion would open in September 2004 - in time for Tenby Arts Festival - with a full programme of events and, by the time Objective One funding ended in 2006, the programme would be self-sustainable.

As a result, Mr. Thorne and Mr. Hughes proposed a raft of recommendations, including the transfer of the pavilion to a not-for-profit trust; a grant of £45,000 a year to the trust from the town council for the next three years; support of the proposed Tenby Town Partnership; support for the application for Objective One funding; and the appointment of two town councillors to be trustees for the De Valence Trust and directors of the Town Partnership.

Mr. Thorne stressed that progress reports would also be available to councillors throughout.

The Mayor, Clr. Mrs. Christine Brown, stressed that Objective One funding was not available 'forever' and felt that speed was of the essence.

"The setting up of a trust was something we asked our business manager to look into in 1999," said Clr. Mrs. Caroline Thomas. "It was never done. I think this is the way forward."

However, Clr. Mickey Folland urged caution.

"This was not on the agenda and it's a very detailed proposal with a lot to take in," he said. "I suggest we take it away to look at and hold a special meeting of the council for our decision."

Clr. Mrs. Brown pointed out that a lot of the suggestions had already been put to the town council by Mr. Thorne when the prospect of a re-vamp for the De Valence had first been mooted.

"Most of this is common sense," she said. "A lot of people have put a lot of work into this and if we don't start moving we could lose out."

Clr. Folland stressed that he was not opposing the idea, but he felt that it was so important to "get it right".

Clr. Miss Lis James pointed out that a lot of the things in the proposal had been agreed to by the town council historically.

"What are the alternatives?" she asked.

"We will still be precepting for the De Valence, but this way that loss will be put to the benefit of the town," stressed Clr. Mrs. Brown.

"At the moment it is dead money that is lost every year. This way it could be working for us. We only have to precept that amount for the next three years, then we could be free of it."

LIGHT AT END

OF TUNNEL

Clr. Mrs. Thomas agreed.

"There will be a light at the end of the tunnel," she pointed out.

"Someone has come up with an idea which could work and we will be working with it," Clr. Mrs. Brown added. "We cannot expect the people of Tenby to keep paying for the De Valence losses from their own pockets"

"This place is an asset for the town, but it's a financial millstone," commented Clr. Stuart Fecci. "As has been said, there is light at the end of the tunnel."

Clr. Folland wondered what would happen to the pavilion if the trust became insolvent, with Mr. Thorne replying that it would revert back to town council control.

The recommendations were proposed by Clr. Miss James, seconded by Clr. Mrs. Thomas and unanimously passed.

Clr. Mrs. Brown thanked Mr. Thorne and Mr. Hughes for all their efforts.

"This is something we have wanted to do for some time and it's only your expertise that has enabled it to go forward."

Clr. Trevor Hallett agreed, feeling it was an excellent example of people working together for the good of the town.

Councillors also agreed to appoint Clr. Mrs. Brown and Clr. Mrs. Thomas to act as trustees.

Speaking after the meeting, Clr. Mrs. Brown said: "This is a brilliant idea which I strongly support. What we want to create is a feeling in our visiting public that there is always something going on in Tenby, whatever the weather.

"That will encourage more visitors and thereby strengthen the economy of the town.

"Let's hope the application for Objective One funds is successful - it should be, it's a good one."