Decision details

Following consideration of the officer report, appendices and discussion, the Executive:

a.        Confirmed its commitment to the Octagon project as a flagship venue to deliver arts and culture services in Yeovil for Somerset.

b.        Acknowledged that the current business case could no longer be met, and a revised business case would be necessary.

c.        Acknowledged the revenue financial pressure created by the works to date and instructed Officers to explore mitigations to these costs. 

d.        Instructed officers to continue to work with the Department for Culture Media and Sports (DCMS) and Arts Council England (ACE) to find a viable Octagon business case to deliver cultural services in Yeovil for Somerset. 

e.        Instructed work to be overseen by the Octagon Theatre Redevelopment Project Board in collaboration with all partners and that we worked with partners to mitigate the economic impacts of the optimum closure in Yeovil.

f.        Confirmed that we would work with partners to mitigate the current economic impact of the closure of the Octagon.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED: As set out in the officer report

REASON FOR DECISION: As set out in the officer report