URL: https://reigate-banstead.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1165

Decision Maker: Executive

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: To consider the officer recommendations for the next delivery phase of the Harlequin Theatre - exempt information only

Content: RESOLVED – that the Executive RECOMMENDS to:   1. Approve option 2 (Proceed with RAAC removal and all essential works to allow reopening of theatre at previous capacity, without bringing forward the planned maintenance programme or wider modernisation) as the scope of works to bring the Harlequin back into use.   2. Approve the appointment of a specialist company to market and seek expressions of interest for the Harlequin to be run by a third party, either via a management contract (option A) or via a lease (option B), informed by option 2 (for building works), including a budget of up to £40,000 for this work, to be funded from reserves.   3. Subject to the outcome of the pre-market engagement (recommendation 2), delegate decisions regarding whether to invite tenders for and subsequently appoint a third party management contractor or to pursue third party operation via a lease to the Strategic Head of Communities & Wellbeing and Head of Property Services, in consultation with the Deputy Chief Executive, Chief Finance Officer, Legal Services Manager, the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Assets and Governance, and the Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture.   4. Subject to the approval of recommendation 1, authorise the allocation of up to £4.5 million of funding from the Council’s reserves to fund the works required to bring the Harlequin back into operation.   5. (As amended at the Executive meeting) - Approve for the Head of Property Services, in consultation with the Deputy Chief Executive, Chief Finance Officer, and the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Assets and Governance, to produce a project plan to carry out the works. Such plan to use a ‘design & build’ or similar approach to development work in order to minimise delivery timescales following due diligence of the appropriate procurement route to implement option 2 (Proceed with RAAC removal and all essential works to allow reopening of theatre at previous capacity, without bringing forward the planned maintenance programme or wider modernisation).   6. Approve for the Head of Property Services and Legal Services Manager, in consultation with the Deputy Chief Executive, and the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Assets and Governance, where necessary, to seek to enter into a licence to alter agreement with the head leaseholder prior to commencing works to implement option 2 (Proceed with RAAC removal and all essential works to allow reopening of theatre at previous capacity, without bringing forward the planned maintenance programme or wider modernisation)   7. Approve for the Head of Property Services, in consultation with the Deputy Chief Executive, Chief Finance Officer and the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Assets and Governance, to procure and enter into a contract to implement option 2 (Proceed with RAAC removal and all essential works to allow reopening of theatre at previous capacity, without bringing forward the planned maintenance programme or wider modernisation)   8. Delegate any minor adjustments required to these approvals to support delivery to the Strategic Head of Communities and Wellbeing in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Assets and Governance and the Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture.   RESOLVED that Executive RECOMMENDS that Council:   1. Approve the allocation of up to £4.5 million for inclusion in the Council’s capital programme for the works required to bring the Harlequin back into operation.

Date of Decision: June 19, 2025