Issue - meetings

Purpose of report

To review the charges levied by Portsmouth Library and Archive Service in respect of room and equipment hire and the Portsmouth History Centre.

RECOMMENDED

That the proposals provided in Appendix 1 for the increases in room and equipment hire charges for the Menuhin Theatre on the Third Floor Central Library and hire of IT Training Suites at Carnegie; Cosham and Central Library are agreed and implemented from 1st April 2023, in order to ensure full cost recovery of these services.

The report was introduced by David Percival, Library and Archives Service Manager.

In response to a question from the Cabinet Member, Mr Percival advised that officers could accommodate a suite of bookings if requested. 

Concern was raised by one of the opposition spokespeople regarding the increase in charges for the use of the Steinway model piano due to financial pressures on music teachers.  Mr Percival explained that the bookings for the piano to date had been from professional musicians, some of whom were charging entry fees for recitals and piano hire charges had not been reviewed for a number of years.  The Cabinet Member said that each case would be considered individually and if someone wanted to hire the piano for an educational purpose, this would be looked at differently as there is a remit to support education  

DECISION: The proposals provided in Appendix 1 for the increases in room and equipment hire charges for the Menuhin Theatre on the Third Floor Central Library and hire of IT Training Suites at Carnegie; Cosham and Central Library were agreed and will be implemented from 1st April 2023, in order to ensure full cost recovery of these services.