Picture House News Update October 2011
It’s been a while….
And we can only apologise but we have been very busy behind
the scenes collecting and analysing information and making decisions to secure
the future of the Picture House. There is much to tell.
Following the agreement in principal to transfer the Picture
House by Calderdale MBC the partners (Hebden Royd Town Council, Hebden Bridge
Community Association, the Hill Top Parish Councils and the organisations that
use the Picture House) continued to discuss the best way to manage and develop
the Picture House. Following the local elections in May and with the
endorsement of the Partners Hebden Royd Town Council is now applying to solely
take on responsibility for the Picture House.
The mandate from the public meeting for an elected body to
take on the Picture House formed part of the reason but in addition the Quality
Parish Status of the Council, its ability to fund raise and deliver projects
(New Skate Park and various play areas are only a few examples), its
relationship with the community, the way it supports its community and its
reputation all added to its appeal.
Good Governance....
Hebden Royd Town Council wants to ensure that all those
interested in the Picture House have a say in how it is run not just those who
live in Hebden Royd. The management committee at present includes six town
councillors, a representative from the Hill Top Parishes, two staff reps, an
industry expert and we hope to soon welcome two elected members of the Friends
of the Picture House. You’ll soon be invited to a meeting to adopt a
constitution for the Friends and plan an election to get those reps onto the
committee.
The building….
A concern of many and was highlighted in the last
newsletter. Since then mechanical, electrical and structural surveys have taken
place and advice has been taken. We have been pleased to find that while there
are small issues it is generally in a very good state of repair. The large
figures mentioned in the building compliance report produced by Calderdale, and
mentioned at the public meeting look to bring the building up to a ‘new build’
standard, something very costly to achieve. A generous allocation, in excess of
previous years has been made in the Repairs, Alteration & Maintenance
section of the proposed budget.
We are also please to have found out that the Picture House
is in the top five for energy efficiency in all of Calderdale MBC’s public
buildings with a rating of 32.
The staff….
Meetings have been held and the last few months have been
spent getting to know them and listening to them. TUPE regulations will be
adhered to where the transfer takes place and as in the original principal
their employment will be a major concern of ours.
Digitalisation….
The reason we are here. Research continues with site surveys
imminent, costs vary between £40k and £75K depending on the ‘add ons’. 3D and
the ability to stream live events to the Picture House are also affecting these
costings. We haven’t forgotten 35mm however and we plan to retain this facility
beyond digitalisation. The industry estimates that out of the 3600 screens in
the UK only 100 will retain this facility when digitalisation will be fully
rolled out.
Money Matters….
The Town Council has committed to fund the digitalisation of
the Picture House and detailed budget discussions start soon. We aspire to
install the digital system as soon as possible following transfer as more
cinemas convert to digital less 35mm film prints are being produce by the
distributors. Funding opportunities are at present infrequent but we continue
to search for opportunities.
Tell us more…
We’re sure many will have seen and completed the Community Consultation
we have been circulating in Hebden Royd, the Upper Valley, across Calderdale
and further afield. If you have yet to see it take a look online at:
Don’t forget the deadline of the 30th October.
Drop in….
We hope that this has gone some way towards answering many
of the questions you no doubt have but if you’d like to ask more drop in at any
time between 6pm and 8pm to the Town Hall Council Chamber on Wednesday 26th
October we’ll be there to answer any questions you may have.
Thanks for taking an interest in the Picture House, we are
sure our aspiration to make the Hebden Bridge Picture House the best single
screen cinema in the country is one you will support us in.
