Future for the Rose
Kingston Council has entered into a new arrangement with the Theatre covering the next 5 years. The complex financial arrangements put in place by the previous Lib Dem administration will be terminated and a new more transparent relationship established going forward. Instead of an annual grant of £500,000 with payments back to the Council (or the theatre property owning limited liability partnership) for leasing costs, rent and debt repayments, the Council will now purchase services to the value of £265,000 with an additional public subsidy of £52,000 reducing to zero over the 5 years. In addition, the Council will write off a 100 year loan of £1.8 million, which had already been fully provided for in the Councils books soon after it was granted. This will clean up the Theatre’s balance sheet and remove a hindrance for raising external funds for the Theatre. Cllr David Glasspool, Lead Member for Arts, Leisure and Heritage, said, “The Rose makes an important contribution to the cultural life of the borough and the local economy. These new simplified arrangements clarify the relationship between the Rose and the Council and should assist the Rose in securing external funding and making financial plans for its long term future. They also continue to deliver access for Kingston residents to a range of cultural activities and events throughout the year.”
Local resident groups please note
£50,000 worth of grants for projects and schemes run by the voluntary sector will be available in the next financial year Council bosses announced today.
The Emerging Needs and New Initiatives and Small Grants schemes, run by Kingston Council, will continue in 2015/2016 despite the Council facing reduced finances over the coming year.
Local groups will be able to apply for up to £3,000 per project from the Emerging Needs fund and up to £750 from the Small Grants scheme. To be eligible the application must achieve one or more aims by:
• creating a sustainable Kingston by protecting or enhancing the environment for us and future generations
• sharing prosperity and creating opportunity
• preventing problems and promoting responsibility and independence
Applications for funding need to be in by Friday 27 February through www.kingston.gov.uk or by emailing grants@kingston.gov.uk.
Councillor Julie Pickering, Lead Member for Supporting the Voluntary Sector said,
“Despite these austere times and the Council having to make some really tough decisions about finances, one thing is clear, it is vital we continue to support organisations on the ground. They make a real and lasting difference to the quality of life for our communities.
“These grants will go some way to helping our voluntary and charitable sectors support those people in Kingston who need it the most, or that want to create a project that will add something to the area for everyone to enjoy.
“I look forward to seeing applications from a wide range of organisations operating within the borough.”
In addition to the fund, to support the borough’s voluntary sector, local groups were recently invited to take part in a highly successful commissioning workshop. This established how services might be provided and financed in the future and how local groups can prepare themselves to be commissioned when opportunities arise.
Over 80 people attended the event and Commissioners for key services gave an update on current activities. A further workshop will be held in February 2015 (date to be confirmed).
For those organisations interested in attending the next commissioning workshop in February, please register by emailing Kingston Voluntary Action admin@kva.org.uk.
Moliere comes to Surbiton
Here are details about Tartuffe which is coming to cornerHOUSE this month. It’s the first in a series of new inHOUSE cornerHOUSE productions. There are a few familiar cornerHOUSE faces in it and we hope you can come to this fast-paced, witty, thought-provoking comedy.
There is a booking link below. You can also buy tickets on the door (subject to availability.)
Tartuffe
Tartuffe is a comic masterpiece which highlights the dangers of blind faith. This hilarious 17th century comedy by Moliere about religious hypocrisy, relaunches inHOUSE productions.
Masquerading as a man of God, Tartuffe, a down and out, inveigles his way into the home of a pious yet foolhardy merchant. The charlatan is soon trying to seduce Orgon’s wife, marry his daughter and make off with his wealth!
The rest of the household goes to hilarious lengths to try to prove that Tartuffe is a conman, but he always seems to be one step ahead. Will the clever and wily Tartuffe be unmasked before the family lose everything to his devious ambition? Who will prevail?
Find out from Wednesday, November 19 to Saturday, November 22 at 7.45pm
Tickets are £8 (£6 concessions).( There is an additional booking fee for using the Ticket Source website.)
If you have any problems booking your tickets please email info@thecornerhouse.org and we will endeavour to help.
Tickets can be bought on the night too (subject to availability) at the cornerHOUSE box office. Cash only.
cornerHOUSE, 116 Douglas Road, Surbiton, Surrey, KT6 7SB – Tel 020 8296 9012
e-mail = info@thecornerhouse.org www.thecornerhouse.org
The Douglas Centre Trust ( a registered charity no. 1047038, limited co. no. 3057887 )
Premises provided by Tolworth Team Ministry
‘Mansion Tax’ or tax on homes?
I have just received the following from Treasury Minister Priti Patel. She raises a point that MPs across parties have realised may hit some of their constituents very hard. As a Surbiton Hill Councillor for 12 years I was concerned about the impact the proposal might have on some of my residents who bought houses in, say, Southborough, decades ago whose market value has soared while their incomes have often contracted. It’s worth remembering that, whils Ed Milliband is proposing it now, it was originally mooted by the Lib Dem MP for Twickenham, Vince Cable.
‘Let’s stop calling it a “mansion tax”- these are not mansions, these are family homes’ – Tessa Jowell, Labour MP
Ed Miliband’s planned tax on the family home will hit hardworking people across the country – as even his own MPs and Peers admit:
- ‘It will impact disastrously on people…particularly pensioners’ – Glenda Jackson, Labour MP
- ‘It is misconceived…what it does is create a cliff edge’ – Nick Raynsford, Labour MP
- ‘A hopeless and desperate idea’ – Lord Noon, Labour Peer
Show YOUR opposition to this latest Labour tax – sign the petition today.
Labour said only ‘the most wealthy’ would pay their homes tax – but now Ed Balls is saying that everyone who earns £42,000 or more will have to pay up front.
Labour said pensioners would be protected – but Ed Balls admitted this week that pensioners will have to pay the tax after they die.
Labour said only homes worth £2 million would be hit – but already a senior Labour figure has demanded the tax be extended to homes worth £400,000 in the North of England (Claire Reynolds, quoted in The Sunday Express, 10/08/14).
It’s clear that hardworking families across the country would be hit by Labour’s latest tax.
And it’s clearer than ever that a Labour government would mean a return to higher taxes, more debt, and a stalled economy.
Add your name to our petition today and let’s stop Labour’s plans:
Thank you,
Priti Patel
Treasury Minister
Local high wind damage
A fallen tree has blocked the railway line betwee Surbiton and Hampton Court today. You can chack out the story by accessing the Surrey Comet website using the news link in the right hand column of this page.
The corner HOUSE at half term
Monday 27th October 10.00 – Noon
The Big Draw : Winter Draws On…our view through a cornerHOUSE window…
Come and complete our mural of our local sky and landscapes. Working in the main foyer of the cornerHOUSE we have prepared four ‘windows’ for you to add your items to. There are plant troughs for people to create flowers, bees and more, and three free-standing housing structures. We will have a range of materials for people to use. All ages and abilities welcome
This is a joint project between the cornerHOUSE and the Environment Trust for Richmond upon Thames, encouraging people to think about what they see in their local sky and landscapes.
This is a FREE event ( refreshments will be available at a small charge.)
Tuesday 28th October 1.00 – 4.00 pm
Italian-British family social day
Enjoy a fantastic comedy movie about the adventures of a group of neighbourhood children. ( Shown in Italian with English subtitles) Plus storyteller Max Spera reads The Real History of the Watch. And there are fun drawing activities and refreshments. Children over four £3.00 ( cH film club members £2.50 ) Adults and children under four are free. Information from the Italian British Association : mar_iacuzio@hotmail.com or alereali@hotmail.com
Wed 29th & Thu 30th October 9.30 – 11.45 am
Fun & creative Half Term drama workshops with an Autumn/Halloween theme for all children aged 5 – 11 years.
If your children like creating stories and characters, playing games and using their imaginations, then Katy’s Drama Club is the place to be this half term.
Strengthen listening and communication skills, and develop confidence, whilst having oodles of fun.
£15 per workshop (£12 Sibling discount)
Limited places so booking essential.
Contact :
07940 446277
cornerHOUSE, 116 Douglas Road, Surbiton, Surrey, KT6 7SB – Tel 020 8296 9012
e-mail = info@thecornerhouse.org www.thecornerhouse.org
The Douglas Centre Trust ( a registered charity no. 1047038, limited co. no. 3057887 )
Premises provided by the parish of St Matthew and St George, Surbiton and Tolworth
Surbiton Forum 