Agenda and minutes

Agenda and minutes

Contact: Jodie Kloss/Alan Garside  Email: legalanddemocratic@watford.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

12.

Apologies for Absence/ Committee membership

Minutes:

Apologies had been received from Councillor Dhindsa.

 

Councillor Dychton replaced Councillor Hofman.

 

13.

Disclosures of interest

Minutes:

There were no disclosures of interest.

14.

Minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 25 September 2017 to be submitted and signed.

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 25 September 2017 were submitted and signed.

 

15.

Scrutiny of the HQ Theatres' contract - Watford Colosseum pdf icon PDF 74 KB

A report of the Head of Community and Environmental Services asking the panel to review the progress of the contract and consider whether any further action is required.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Scrutiny of the HQ Theatres’ Contract – Watford Colosseum

 

The panel received a report of the Head of Community and Environmental Services that discussed the outsourced contract with HQ Theatres for the Watford Colosseum and included the Watford Colosseum Annual Report 2016/17 (at appendix one).

 

The Contract Monitoring Officer introduced the report and explained her role in monitoring the contract and how quarterly reports were forwarded to the portfolio holder.  She advised the panel that Mr Hargreave and Ms Ditch would discuss the annual report in more detail for the information of members.

 

Mr Hargreave advised that the Watford Colosseum was in a healthy position; experiencing good growth and an increase in ticket sales.  He outlined the positive financial position of the HQ Theatres company itself which ran a variety of different theatres; predominantly across the south east of England.  It was the second largest operator in the UK.  He discussed the management style of the organisation and how venues had the flexibility to develop their own businesses.

 

He emphasised the particular and unique aspects of the Watford Colosseum and how the venue would further develop over the next 12 months.  He thanked Ms Ditch for her stewardship over the past year; when significant improvements had been made.  He explained how the company would invest in technology to enhance the customer experience, and would have a pioneering approach in the use of social media.  He concluded that the Watford Colosseum had been awarded ‘venue of the year’ across the company in 2016/17.

 

Ms Ditch commenced by explaining the monthly reporting procedure of the contract operation back to the council and how the business plan was developed; albeit this did not run co-terminus with the contract itself.  There had been positive developments in the running of the venue in the last year with tangible results.  She cited a number of examples including the BBC radio programme ‘Friday Night is Music Night’ being recorded at the venue. 

 

Ms Ditch discussed the content of the Watford Colosseum Annual Report 2016/17 including the information contained in the introduction and executive summary, the programme balance and range (and enhancements thereto), community use of the venue and the key performance indicators (that were all very positive). 

 

In response to requests from a previous panel meeting in 2016/17, she explained how four additional Asian ticketed productions had been added to the programme for 2017/18.  In response to a question from the chair, she explained that the one Asian event held last year had been a Punjab experience and had been a hire of the theatre – as a result, the organisers had carried out their own marketing using established community links.  This had proved a good starting point.

 

The Leisure and Community Section Head discussed the benefits of the linkage between all council contract managers through a peer challenge event.  He continued by explaining how his staff ensured a high value service was provided by HQ Theatres at the Colosseum and how this was monitored on a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

16.

Performance of New Watford Market pdf icon PDF 370 KB

A report of the Section Head Property and Regeneration providing a summary of the current performance of New Watford Market and setting out future steps for further improvement.

 

The panel will also receive a presentation.

 

Minutes:

 

16.

 

 

Performance of New Watford Market

 

The panel received a report of the Head of Community and Environmental Services.  This provided a summary of the current performance of New Watford Market and set out future steps for further improvement.

 

The Property Development Manager introduced the report.  She informed the panel that the new market formed part of the re-development of Charter Place.  The market had been managed in house until 2014; when a specialist had been identified through open-tender to run the new environment.  There were now fewer stalls but these were of better quality than had previously been the case.  The market was now approaching a 100 percent occupancy rate by traders.  She advised members that Mr Breen and Ms Worboys would give a presentation on the New Watford Market for the information of the panel.

 

Ms Worboys began by discussing how the market was promoted online – that included regular updates of the website (with approximately two thousand users a month) and updates on social media that was increasingly used by the traders. 

 

In response to a question from Councillor Kent, Ms Worboys clarified that the Wellington Marketing Company (WMC) was the parent company of Town and Country Markets (TCM).  And in a response to a question from the Chair, she confirmed that market events were linked to the wider town centre events – such as ‘The Big Beach’.

 

Ms Worboys continued by explaining how the market was animated with additional activity; such as food traders being encouraged to stay open late and additional promotions on Thursday to Saturday evenings.  In response to a question from Councillor Hastrick, Ms Worboys explained that specific ‘vintage market’ themes were arranged in the container area of the complex where there were two vacant units – this was particularly relevant during the festive season.

 

Ms Worboys explained how the market was decorated with grass, plants, trees and wooden seating to create a relaxing environment during the summer and how a trailer advertisement had been aired during the Big Screen event.  Mr Breen advised how the entrance to the market had been made more attractive.

 

Ms Worboys then went on to explain plans for Christmas, the greater use of ‘A’ frames, targeted promotions and measures to further improve footfall.  In terms of operational improvements at the market, she advised that there would be enhancements to the gazebo design on the parade and improved communications with local businesses.  There would also be the appointment of a new operations manager at WMC who had a strong facilities management background – plus an assistant manager to drive marketing, events, aesthetic standards and customer service.

 

In response to a question from the Chair, Mr Breen and Ms Worboys explained why the new market was a success compared to other locations.  This due, in part, to proactively seeking traders and also in respect of particular offers – such as florists and bakers.  The intention was to meet the needs of local demographics.

 

Ms Worboys discussed industry standards  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

 

rating button