Agenda item

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The Assistant to the Chief Executive presented the post project evaluation report and drew the Panel’s attention to the following sections of the report:

·         Purpose.

·         Background.

·         Scope and Summary of Approach.

·         Methodology.

·         Project Rationale.

·         Project Timeline.

·         Project Management.

·         Project Objectives.

·         Project Outputs.

·         Project Outcomes.

·         Capital Works.

·         Admissions Forecast.

·         Risk.

·         Outputs Achieved.

·         Outcomes Achieved.

·         Key Findings.

·         Conclusion.

The Assistant to the Chief Executive responded to questions and comments in relation to:

·         Performance of Cinema since Covid restrictions had been lifted.  The Panel was advised that a report would be presented by the Managing Director of Alive West Norfolk to a future Environment and Community Panel meeting. CPP to be included on the circulation list.

·         The scope of this report was to look at the construction element only. 

·         Impact of the Pandemic.

·         Lessons learnt and ensuring they were taken forward to future projects.

·         Costs of works to the roof and refurbishment of toilets.

·         Categories of films shown.

·         Good working relationship with the Majestic Cinema.

·         Risks identified with the project were included in Cabinet reports.

·         Potential increased footfall and revenue.

·         % revenue relating to refreshments.

·         Popularity of live streaming events.

·         Why further due diligence was undertaken.

·         Car parking income.

·         Risk Register not able to be located.

Councillor Long, Portfolio Holder for Corporate Services commented that the Assistant to the Chief Executive had undertaken a thorough review and added that blockbuster films were shown at both the Majestic Cinema and the Corn Exchange and gave an example of the recent film Top Gun.

In response to questions from Councillors Kemp and de Whalley on the revenue and outcomes not being included in the post evaluation review, the Chair advised that this was not requested to be detailed in the report.

Councillor Nockolds in her Borough Councillor role and not as a Board Member of Alive West Norfolk informed the Panel that it was a good project and that details were set out in Cabinet reports.  Due to the Pandemic the cinema could not open as scheduled and that staff had been seconded to assist with the Council’s response to the Pandemic and outlined the difficult situation regarding the Project Manager of the project but highlighted that Councillors looked at the project on a regular basis with officers.  Councillor Nockolds provided an overview of the reasons why the roof and refurbishment of the toilets had been undertaken.

Following questions from Councillor de Whalley on electronic screens being on display outside the Corn Exchange and  improvements to the website to inform residents/visitors of what films were being shown on the present day and future dates, the Assistant to the Chief Executive advised that the questions should be directed to the Managing Director of Alive West Norfolk.

Councillor Long, Portfolio Holder for Corporate Services advised that a verbal update was received by the Alive West Norfolk Board on the promotion of the Corn Exchange on the website and at the venue.  It was highlighted that outside the Corn Exchange was restricted as it was a listed façade but that  improvements to publicise what was on could be looked at for the inside of the building.

RESOLVED:  The Panel noted the post evaluation report.