Plans can move forward for community arts at former BCCA site

Last night (22 September), a special meeting of the Administration and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Panel concluded that no further action will be taken on the call-in notice regarding the use of the site of the former Bournemouth Centre for Community Arts (BCCA).

The meeting was held following claims that Council officers had not fully implemented the Council’s decision made on 28 July 2009.

However, after hearing from the Friends of BCCA and Council officers, the majority view of the panel (6-3) was that it was satisfied by assurances given by the Leader that proper partnership working processes have and will continue to be followed to agree the delivery of a community arts centre on the site with the Friends of BCCA.

Councillor John Beesley, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Resources, said: “I am pleased that we can now move forward to establish a community arts facility on the former BCCA site. The project is still very much in its early stages and, as was previously intended, when the plans start to develop we will be having more detailed discussions with the Friends regarding the terms of the lease for the Gothic rooms, any additional space available to them and how and when they will be able to deliver their business case for a community arts centre on the site.”