In a written answer to last night’s Andover Councillors Forum it is finally admitted that the council has lost money as a result of leaving the lower Guildhall empty.
While full figures have not been given, council officers have confirmed that lettings income for the Upper Guildhall and Rendezvous is £5,500 down on income from the Upper and Lower Guildhalls over the previous year. In addition the council has spent £114,000 on set up costs for the Rendezvous. No figure has been given for the running costs (maintenance and staffing) of the two facilities.
This adds up to £119,500 of council taxpayers money spent on closing the lower Guildhall and setting up an alternative facility that no-one wanted and very few people use. Most of the previous users of the lower Guildhall have since found alternatives to the Rendezvous because it is inadequate and in the wrong place. They also dispute council claims that facilities at the Rendezvous are superior to those at the Guildhall.
In addition the council has still to see any rental income from Prezzo as no contracts have been signed. The value of this rental is described as confidential commercial information. However it has previously been claimed to be more than enough to cover running costs of both the Guildhall and the Rendezvous.
I believe the answers given are totally inadequate. The costs and future of the Rendezvous and Guildhall are due to be reviewed by the council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee later this year. I will insist on a more detailed response then.