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Council and community secure key services

PROPOSALS to move five of Harlow Council's discretionary services to new providers are published today (Monday January 23rd). The plans, to go before a special meeting of Harlow Council's Cabinet on 31 January 2012, are the result of a consultation process that began in July 2011 and has involved voluntary and charitable organisations across Harlow.

Under the plans, Harlow Museum, Parndon Wood Nature Reserve, Pets' Corner; the Arts Service and the town's Events Service (including the Bandstand, Showground and fireworks night) will be transferred to new providers (details below).

Provision has been made for Harlow Playhouse for another year with support from the Council’s run Big Society Fund* and the Council will continue to support the town's network of Paddling Pools in 2012.

The proposals mean that all discretionary services subject to the Big Society Initiative will remain open despite unprecedented financial pressure. Had Harlow Council not taken this course, these services faced closure.

In the case of the five discretionary services being transferred, the new providers are local voluntary and charitable groups. The proposed arrangements are the result of Harlow Council working with the community to produce a solution built in Harlow.

The Council will support the services for the next three years from its Big Society Fund and will work with the organisations throughout that period.

Cllr Joel Charles, Portfolio Holder for Community and Citizenship, said: "We know Harlow people are very attached to these services and in many cases grew up with them. But the Council simply cannot afford to run them any more - what we are proposing is the best way to ensure the future of places like Pets' Corner and the Museum.

"We are working with well established organisations who we know will do a great job - these services are not simply being cut adrift. We are providing funding for the next three years to keep them running, but in a more cost-effective way - saving local people more than £400,000.**

"In the case of the Museum, I am really encouraged that we are giving this landmark building back to the community for wider use. I am sure that Harlow people will also be pleased at the prospect of a town show returning.

"The Playhouse is our largest commercial operation so we think it's right to take the time to seek to find the right 'fit' with a new partner.

"The bottom line is that we are keeping all our popular services running at a time when Councils up and down the country are having to make deep cuts. I think that says a huge amount about the enterprise of Harlow's community."

Notes to editors:

A total of ten posts are on notice of redundancy at Harlow Museum and Pets' Corner. If redundancies are necessary, the Council will looking at redeployment for those staff affected.
**Three year savings for discretionary services: Museum (£155,000); Pets' Corner (£181,000); Parndon Wood Nature Reserve (£29,000); Events (£19,000) and Arts (£20,000)

Discretionary services - detail

Museum:

To be taken over by Science Alive from April 1^st,
All outreach and interpretation work to be done by Science Alive
The collection to remain in Council ownership.
The building is to be given to the community for community use. Science Alive will lead in the creation of a Community Trust to help run it
The archives and records service to remain at Mark Hall
Science Alive will encourage and facilitate access by the Friends of Harlow Museum to the collection that is in storage at the Mark Hall building, and will also provide opportunities for access to the archive material which will continue to be stored there.
Current collection will be on display at Science Alive at Leisurezone
There will be four job losses (potentially)
Science Alive will be paid £275k over three years by the Council - had it remained Council owned this cost would be approx £430k

Pets Corner

Harlow Education Consortium to take over running, provisionally from the new academic year in September
Services will run along similar lines to now but there will be more emphasis on educational work, alongside the general public access.
Friends of Pets’ Corner to work on new revenue raising ideas
Strong business case from HEC.
Anticipated that there will be TUPE transfer for existing six staff
Council to fund Pets’ Corner until expected September transition
The Big Society Fund will pay £332,000 over the next three years to HEC. Cost under existing Council ownership = £514,000

Parndon Wood:

Environmental Conservation Cooperative (ECCO) to run the service almost as it is in the first year
After year one, ECCO will explore the possibility of establishing a separate charity for the service
No job losses, they will fund one part time role
Entry to Parndon Wood to remain similar to present
Big Society Fund will pay £69,750 over three years, cost under Council ownership would be £99,000

Events

Three year deal with Great Parndon Community Association to be reviewed at the end of that period
GPCA to organise return of town show and festivals
Harlow Council to offer officer time and support
Payment from Big Society fund £53,250. Cost under Council ownership £72,000

Arts service

Three year arrangement with the Arts Trust, Council to pay £45k from Big Society fund (covers cost of one Arts officer for that period). Cost for Council to run for same period would be approximately £65k. Service will be very similar to at present (Gallery should be open as now).

Padding Pools

To remain Council owned, money already allocated in the forthcoming 2012/13 (£66,000). Further report to come in July

Playhouse

To be funded for a further year by the Council. Cost £300,000 – from Big Society Fund
Work continues on the development of a Playhouse Trust.
Other long term options being explored