Agenda item

Report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services.

The Committee noted that the creation of Aldgate Square will have a significant impact on the communities that live, work and visit the area. This report updates Members on the progress of a number of projects associated with Aldgate Square that fall under the remit of Community & Children’s services.

Portsoken Pavilion

There have been a number of delays with the final design of the pavilion. However, following negotiations, both with Members (regarding a budget increase for the pavilion) and the Kier Group (regarding pavilion value engineering), the contract to construct the pavilion has been signed.  Last month the pavilion roof structure was completed and is now weathering in the yard of specialists, Littlehampton Welding Ltd. This month work has started on site. Officers are working with Kier to programme the delivery of both the Portsoken Pavilion and the consequent Aldgate Square landscaping. We are aiming to complete both aspects of the Aldgate Square project before the end of 2017.

Temporary location for Kahaila

In September 2015 Kahaila were approved by Community and Children’s Services as Portsoken Pavilion and Café managers based on an expected start date in autumn 2016. In October 2016 Members agreed the offer of a temporary rental contract for 6 Harrow Place to Kahaila, in order that they, as Page 89 Agenda Item 14 a charitable organisation, could begin to provide a café services in the Aldgate area. Since that decision was taken, a one year lease was agreed between the City and Kahaila on the 1st December 2016 and work has commenced to fit out and open 6 Harrow Place as a café provided by Kahaila. We are currently anticipating an opening date in January 2017 and a verbal update will be given to Members at the meeting.

Aldgate Community Events

The delays to the square have meant that the community play planned for June 2017 has been rescheduled. The Community Steering Group has used this as an opportunity to extend their programme of events. They will now be running a heritage trail and exhibitions funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) in summer 2017. In the latter part of the year they are planning a programme of winter events, including a lantern parade, a Window Wanderland trail featuring decorated and lit up home and business windows, and a Christmas Fair. The community play itself will take place in spring 2018 and will focus on Victorian Aldgate.

Members asked Officer to ensure that they engaged with the local community to ensure that events arranged were meeting the desire of the local communities.

Resolved – that the report be received.