Options Working Group Report - WhatDoTheyKnow · All considered options have been subjected to a SWOT analysis. ... Subsequently, the PGC have been unsuccessful in their funding bid

Options Working Group

Report

2 | P a g e

Forward

Following the second abortive sale of the former council offices in Bridge Street and also the failed bid by the Princess Gwenllian Centre to the Big Lottery for funding for Phase 2, the Town Council agreed to re‐examine all possible options in relation to the siting of its offices and produce a report.

Methodology

All considered options have been subjected to a SWOT analysis.

Extensive research has been undertaken to ensure that costs are as accurate as possible, where these have been difficult or impossible to ascertain indicative and/or historical costs may be used.

3 | P a g e

Contents

Option 1 – Current situation

Option 2 – Old Town Hall

Option 3 – Purchase of another property

Option 4 – Transfer to a trust

Option 5 – Sale of the Pelican

Option 6 – Princess Gwenllian Centre

Option 7 – Retention/redevelopment of the Pelican

Questionnaire

4 | P a g e

Appendices

1. Offer of Tenancy

2. Properties for sale in Town Centre

3. (i) Community Hub ‐ Project outline

(ii) Proposal concept

4. (i) Offer of Tenancy

(ii) Heads off Agreement

5. (i) Memorandum of Understanding

(ii) PGC Historical Background

6. Simply Sofas

7. Questionnaire

5 | P a g e

SWOT Analysis: Option 1

Current Situation – Portakabins at rear of the PGC

(NB Many criteria can apply to more than one quadrant)

Strengths:

Temporary location.

Weaknesses:

Unsuitable office accommodation. Not Equalities Act compliant. Additional cost for conference facilities.

Opportunities:

Threats:

Equalities Act litigation. Additional charges from PGC.

6 | P a g e

Portacabins – Expenditure – 2012/13

£Portacabin Hire 3,900.00Heating & Lighting 1,020.00Room Hire 1,000.00Archive Storage 372.00Council Tax 576.00Water nilFire Extinguishers 93.00Trade Refuse 1,000.00Insurance 63.00

8,024.00

Income = Nil

7 | P a g e

Bridge Street – Expenditure – 2012/13

£Council Tax 6,215.00Insurance 4,596.00Gas 3,145.00Electricity 340.00Water 510.00Fire Extinguishers 26.00

14,832.00

Bridge Street – Income – 2013/14

Library 3,840.00Hairdressers 1,755.00

5,595.00

NB

• Insurance – costs has been apportioned as a percentage of the entire Estate value. It is likely that there would be little, if any, reduction in the overall insurance premium in the event of a sale of the Pelican.

8 | P a g e

The Office re‐located to its present location some four years ago in a move that was described as temporary, pending a successful grant application by the PGC to the Big Lottery.

At a public meeting assurances were given in respect of an expected favourable outcome of the grant application which subsequently proved to be spurious. A vote was taken and is recorded as; for the sale of the Pelican: 48, against: 17;. 48 votes equates to 1.75% of the current 2,732 electorate.

There have been two purchase offers made for the Pelican; one below the District Valuer's minimum sale valuation and one other which was withdrawn prior to completion.

The absence of a strategy to deal with the scenario of a failed bid is considered as being totally incomprehensible, there remains still a significant risk of a failure to source the required funding for Phase 2.

The move to temporary accommodation was made on the premise of non‐compliance with the then Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), not because of any health and safety concerns. Given that the temporary accommodation and the upper conference room is equally non‐compliant within the requirements of the current Equalities Act, it could be quite reasonably argued that the situation has not been improved but made worst. Also of concern is the issue of staff and visitors welfare, who are required to leave the building in order to access toilet and washroom facilities.

This move is considered to have been premature and should not have been initiated prior to the completion of Phase 2 works ‐ the cost including abortive sale fees over a five year period is well in excess of £40,000.

Maintaining the status quo is not an option.

9 | P a g e


Old Town Hall


Strengths:

Central Location in Town. No maintenance costs.

Weaknesses:

Current Parking / Access . Lack of Available space to accommodate other Groups / Functions.

Opportunities: Threats:

Cost implications for rent etc due to building being run by external organisation.

Cost:

£4,000pa for accommodation measuring 4.7m x 7.5m (35.25 sq m) – appendix 1(i)

Comment:

The floor space being offered is unlikely to meet the Council’s current requirements. Conferencing facilities would be required at what is presumed to be an additional cost at a price yet to be determined. See appendix 1

10 | P a g e


Purchase of another property


Strengths:

An optional asset to replace the Borough Offices in terms of permanent office space.

Weaknesses:

Current other available accommodation would require refurbishment and in view of what is available would not be significantly larger than the current temporary office space. High cost implication – purchase and refurbishment.

Opportunities:

Threats:

Capital Cost implications with the reserved allocation for Gwenllian Centre, where would the funding come from. Public perception re acquisition

11 | P a g e

Extensive desk‐top research was undertaken looking at all available properties within the Town area.

There being a dearth of any suitable commercial properties available within the search area, the only achievable option would therefore be the purchase and refurbishment of a residential property, this is likely to entail extensive works in order to bring any property up to the required standard.

Costs:

Costs are difficult to determine; a ball‐park figure for both purchase and refurbishment costs are conservatively estimated to be in the range £250,000 ‐ £400,000. Expenditure of this magnitude would be undeliverable even when factoring in the proceeds from the sale of the Pelican.

See appendix 2

12 | P a g e


Transfer to a trust


Strengths:

Asset would remain within community ownership. Grant eligibility greater. Eliminates revenue/liability costs. Increased provision within the community. Low cost option

Weaknesses:

Loss of rental income.

Opportunities:

Tourism. Positive contribution to future regeneration of Town Centre. Increased provision within the community.

Threats:

Dissolution of trust/failure to attract funding.

13 | P a g e

A proposal has been tabled by Pastor Ivan Parker of the Apostolic Church which is envisaged as a collaborate project between Kidwelly Town Council, Carmarthenshire County Council and the Apostolic Church. This would involve the setting up a trust/social enterprise which the whole community would benefit from.

Kidwelly Town Council would be required to grant a long‐term lease on the Pelican to the trust/social enterprise in order to best enable them to access all available funding. Ownership of the building would remain with Kidwelly Town Council thus allowing recovery of considerable lost asset value.

It is noted that Pastor Parker, who has put forward the proposition on behalf of the Apostolic Church, has an extremely good track record in delivering on other similar schemes in the area such as the Well.

See appendices 3 (i) & (ii)

14 | P a g e


Sale of Bridge Street


Strengths:

Additional Capital resources.

Weaknesses:

Loss of rental income. £900,000 asset write‐off loss. Loss of the building means that the Council still has no official home due to the uncertainty of a second bit for the Gwenllian centre being successful. Reliance on Phase 2 for future office space which is not guaranteed due to current progress on Phase 2. Loss of security against any possible future loan by the Council

Opportunities:

Mixed retail/housing development.

Threats:

Failure to sell. Loss of Library. Little control over site development/use. To Regeneration of Town Centre. To Townscape funding. To Tourism.

15 | P a g e

Sale valuations obtained:

John Francis ‐ £80,000/£100,000.

DVS ‐ (24.11.11) ‐ £115,000.

Davies Craddock ‐ £155,000/£165,000.

District Valuer ‐ minimum sale value at which property could be sold is £115,000. (Were a sale to be completed at this valuation, net sale income would be in the region of £105,000, requiring an asset write‐down of c. £900,000 which would appear in the accounts as an extraordinary loss).

Simply Sofas

Have no interest in purchasing the property although they are interested in relocating some of their activities there, their requirements are set out in appendix 6.

16 | P a g e


Princess Gwenllian Centre


Strengths:

Agreement in place. Adequate Parking / Facilities for current use. Lower cost option. Additional income stream for PGC No maintenance costs

Weaknesses:

Location of Building away from town centre. Outside remit of Townscape/Regeneration Scheme. Possible failure of Phase 2 development.

Opportunities:

Possibility of incorporating office accommodation into Phase 2.

Threats:

Failure to attract necessary funding. Locked into financial sustainability of PGC.

17 | P a g e

Historical Context

Memorandum of Understanding

An agreement between Princess Gwenllian Centre and Kidwelly Town Council outlining their mutual intent in respect of Phase 2 proposals.

Whilst this is not a legally binding document due deference is required where any deviation to Council policy is likely to impact on the agreement and must be carried out in full consultation with the PGC Trustees.

Underlying commitments of the Document are;

• To re‐locate Council Offices to PGC.

• Match funding of up to £100,000.

Subsequently, the PGC have been unsuccessful in their funding bid to the Big Lottery; the Working Group i.e. 4 members of KTC and 4 members of KTCHT should have been convened, as set out in the Document, to consider fully the implications of the failed bid.

Given the magnitude of KTC’s level of commitment in terms of its future and financially, it is quite surprising that the Agreement does not have a finite life. Consensus must be that the Agreement cannot exist it perpetuity.

To date the OWG, in pursuance of its Town Council mandate, have failed, despite numerous requests, to obtain a copy of the Big Lottery Fund Letter of Rejection. This is considered to be inconsistent with the Key Partnership Principles as outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding. Previously, the Council have been content with the “feedback” received. Anything other than complete transparency is of concern given the level of financial support Council is committed to.

See appendix 4

18 | P a g e


Retention/re-development of Bridge Street


Strengths:

Keeping the building for community use. It will ensure that the Library will remain within the town. Central Location for all users. Council has an asset that can be used in future to secure funding if required in the form of loans etc. Council has a central presence in the town with easy access. Council will not be paying for two sets of office space and their associated costs. Asset retention. Opportunity to recover full asset value. Additional income stream.

Weaknesses:

Current Parking / Current Access / DA Issues. Unsuitable staff accommodation. Underuse of the current accommodation. Refurbishment costs. Capital Cost implications if the Council can’t secure grant funding – we can’t afford it, due to allocation for phase 2 of GC.

Opportunities:

Inclusion of redevelopment in Townscape regeneration scheme to improve town centre. Opportunities for additional revenue.

Threats:

19 | P a g e

Potential Rental Income Area m2 Current Commercial£ £

Library 68 4,448.00 7,004.00Hairdressers 45 2,206.00 4,635.00Outbuilding 55 nil 4,400.00Old Chamber 45 nil 3,150.00Old Parlour 45 nil 3,150.00Exhibition Room 30 nil 2,100.00Second Floor 120 nil 4,000.00Room Hire nil 1,000.00

6,654.00 29,439.00

20 | P a g e

Pelican

Historical context:

This 18th century three‐storyed Bridge Street edifice was built by Thomas Kymer as the Pelican Inn and opened for business in 1768 the same year as his canal. The bay‐windowed addition was added later in the 19th century.

It was built by Kymer as a crucial part of his canal business. It was the place where ships captains berthing at his quay had two hours to reach to sign the Stem Book which guaranteed their place in the loading queue. It was the town's principal Coaching Inn, the most 'commodious' lodgings for captains and the like in the town, and the principal meeting place for Commissioners, traders, captains and solicitors, and the principal place from which the commercial and administrative business for south‐east Carmarthenshire was conducted.

In historical terms it is the most important public building in Kidwelly's industrial revolution. A revolution which saw the building of the first industrial canal in the first industrial nation in the world. Historically the Pelican is very largely the functional equivalent of the castle in medieval times.

The Pelican Hotel, as it had then become, was commandeered for wartime administration in 1942, reprising part of its original role. Given back to the Council after the war it became the town's borough offices with Mayor's parlour and resplendent council chamber. Although structurally sound its upkeep and maintenance has been clearly neglected in the recent past.

The Pelican is wholly owned by the Town Council.

Town (Guild) Hall

By the 1870's the jury of the quarter sessions who used the old 1632 built Guild Hall were bitterly complaining of the buildings neglect as 'not fit to inhabit'. The Guild (the equivalent of a town council) decided to replace it with a new Guild Hall. Not the last time then that the government of the town would ignore regular maintenance as an alternative to the much more expensive 'knock it down' and rebuild or just leave an empty space and rebuild somewhere else.

The designer of this Italianate structure was our own Thomas William Angel Evans of Rumsey House (later Capel Sul), then a Guild member and a former mayor. It was opened as the Guild Hall in 1877. Following local government reform the building was renamed the Town Hall a few years later.

21 | P a g e

The building carried on its judicial and administrative role to recent times. It has also served as an auditorium for musical and stage performance, youth activities of all kinds and of course our library for many years. It has now been closed for about a decade.

The newly formed Kidwelly Heritage Trust, a non‐profit‐making trust set up two years ago have been patiently and doggedly progressing its take‐over from the current owners, Carmarthenshire County Council, and intend to restore, refurbish and return the building to community and commercial use by 2015.

As part of a wider plan to refurbish the Town Centre conservation area, including its public and private buildings and open spaces, the Heritage Trust initiative at long last appears to be the first concerted attempt by a local community trust, or anyone else for that matter, to regenerate the town centre for some time.

22 | P a g e

Questionnaire

The public response to the consultation is considered to have been good and it is fair to say that opinions are deeply divided.

The intention had been to show the outcome in terms of numbers, however, there were issues in respect of a considerable number of returned forms that questioned their veracity. Consequently, it was agreed to publish only comments made by the responders.

The questionnaires have been made available to all councillors for detailed examination, some have not, not as yet, availed themselves of that opportunity.

See appendix 7

23 | P a g e

Appendix 1

Ymddiriedolaeth Treftadaeth Cydweli - Kidwelly Heritage Trust Ltd. Company number 7741052 Registered office: Llandyri House, Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire SA17 4EL Llandyri House Kidwelly Carmarthenshire SA17 4EL 01554 810800 Mr Byron Hughes 5 April 2013 Kidwelly Town Council Working Group Kidwelly Town Hall Dear Sirs Offer of Tenancy – once Kidwelly Town Hall is refurbished As a follow up to various informal discussions, I would like to confirm that once refurbished, Kidwelly Town Hall will be available for use by groups, providing services to the community of Kidwelly and Mynyddygarreg. The office space on offer to Kidwelly Town Council is the front public room. This has overall dimensions of 4.7m x 7.5m. Total 35.25sq m or +390sq ft and has high ceilings of approx 4m. This space is lockable and secure and in addition the staff of KTC will be able to avail themselves of the other planned facilities for KTH including toilets with BDA, internet café, public meeting space (for a nominal charge) including the main hall and the café area. KHT are offering this space in the centre of Kidwelly for an annual rental of £4000. This is based upon a sq ft rental value of £10.00 sq ft. The term of the rental lease would be 5+5 years. This is an initial 5 years, followed by a further 5 years with an annual RPI/CPI rent adjustment. In addition, KTC would be expected to pay a pro rata portion of utility bills, heating, lighting, council tax and cleaning. These are not currently known but would be approximately 9% of the total incurred by the Town Hall which has a square footage of +4000sq ft. KTC would be responsible for fit out of the space to suit your own requirements in keeping with a Grade II listed building and return in good condition at the end of the lease. Kidwelly Heritage Trust would be responsible for overall building maintenance. At this time, KTH is expected to be available for occupancy from April 2015. If you have any questions, please get back in touch. Kind regards Robin Cammish Chair Kidwelly Heritage Trust

24 | P a g e

Appendix 2 ‐ A selection of properties for sale within the Town Centre.

Houses currently for sale in Bridge Street , Kidwelly

3 Bedroomed Terrace – Bridge Street Kidwelly Offers over 90k (left)

4 Bedroomed Terrace – Bridge Street Kidwelly Offers in region 155k (right)

25 | P a g e

4 Station Road, Kidwelly SA17 4UH

£118,260

A spacious three bedroom semi‐detached property.

26 | P a g e

Appendix 3(i)

RE: Community Hub

As you know the Apostolic Church has had a presence in the Kidwelly Community for almost a Century. In recent years we have been taking a new approach to our role in the community and this led us to redevelop our premises in Priory Street into a community accessible asset. This has meant that local groups have been able to use our facilities to further their cause in partnership with “The Well”. The refurbishment has also meant that many of the town’s young people regularly gather together there and our team of dedicated youth workers have forged an excellent rapport with them.

In a recent leadership meeting we have decided to create an independent “Community Group” to work closely with the Apostolic Church and other Local organisations, but will also be in the position of being able to pursue funding through grants/trust to take their work forward to a very different level of engagement in the community.

83 Priory Street

Kidwelly

27 | P a g e

“Refresh Youth Enterprises” is committed to partnering with Kidwelly Town Council and other like minded organisations in redeveloping the old “Town Hall” as a community Hub. This would give us a presence right at the centre of the town and also create space for us to develop new ventures.

In our minds we picture this community hub at the heart of the town, creating jobs, opportunities and networking for all but particularly the youth of the area.

The Community Hub would be a unique, brand new kind of venture, brining local authority, third sector and the private sector together to deliver a new 'community focused economy' where social entrepreneurs committed to the regeneration of their local community can be nurtured and supported.

The regeneration of the old “Pelican Buildings” would create space for:

• A new community cafe/restaurant – Developing training opportunities and jobs • A fitness suite ‐ Developing training opportunities and jobs • Education and Exhibition area – Multi function/Multi group use • Small Business enterprise units ‐ Developing training opportunities and jobs • Civic and Community space – At the heart of the community

This Community hub would be a fitting and excellent way to mark the 900th Anniversary of the Town.

The Hub: In Community and for the Community, space for all and delivering hope for future generations.

As part of our journey in discovering a vision for our Community Group we have developed a relationship with the Vine Trust, Walsall. On the 25th July Steve Davis CEO has invited me to bring a group to Walsall to look at their unique and ground breaking project that could be a blueprint for any new venture in Kidwelly? Should you wish to join us you would be most welcome to come? (We can accommodate up to four councillors)

Ivan Parker (Chair ‐ “Refresh Youth Enterprises”)

28 | P a g e

Appendix 3 (ii)

A facility at the heart of the community for the community

29 | P a g e

A new future for an important historical building in Kdwelly

30 | P a g e

RegenerationNew Suitable Facilities for allTourism: Generating business and boosting the local economy

31 | P a g e

32 | P a g e

33 | P a g e

Something For EveryoneEmployment: Creation of a new cafe/restaurant, a small business hub, and a possible fitness centerCreativity: Encouraging art, craft and musical initiativesDevelopment: New skills, business initiatives and opportunities for all

34 | P a g e

The new Community Hub would create a number of new jobs in the community: Center manager, caretaker, fitness center manager, cafe manager, chef etc...The new Community Hub would create a number of training opportunities for young people in the hospitality and leisure sectorThe New Community Hub would offer new or existing small business ventures quality accommodation and business support

35 | P a g e

Cafe / Restaurant

Education and exhibition

area

Small business workshops

36 | P a g e

This space would be used creatively to enhance the work of local craftsmen and businesses in exhibiting and demonstrating their wareWorkshops would be run to support and develop new creativityPeople of all ages can come and enjoy, create and experiment in art, craft and music. Engaging with schools, clubs, groups and individuals

37 | P a g e

Addition of a lift

Major modification required:

38 | P a g e

Designated for civic use (Town

hall)

Major reconstruction to the south wing will be required but could be designed to create a purpose built civic center:

39 | P a g e

Lifting the Town ProfileAttracting PeopleOffering hope

40 | P a g e

A significant project to mark 900 yearsA project that allows everyone to buy inA community facility that is for future generations

41 | P a g e

Artists impression:

42 | P a g e

Appendix 4 (i)

Llandyri House Kidwelly Carmarthenshire SA17 4EL 01554 810800 Mr Byron Hughes 5 April 2013 Kidwelly Town Council Working Group Kidwelly Town Hall Dear Sirs Offer of Tenancy – once Kidwelly Town Hall is refurbished As a follow up to various informal discussions, I would like to confirm that once refurbished, Kidwelly Town Hall will be available for use by groups, providing services to the community of Kidwelly and Mynyddygarreg. The office space on offer to Kidwelly Town Council is the front public room. This has overall dimensions of 4.7m x 7.5m. Total 35.25sq m or +390sq ft and has high ceilings of approx 4m. This space is lockable and secure and in addition the staff of KTC will be able to avail themselves of the other planned facilities for KTH including toilets with BDA, internet café, public meeting space (for a nominal charge) including the main hall and the café area.

Ymddiriedolaeth Treftadaeth Cydweli

Kidwelly Heritage Trust

43 | P a g e

KHT are offering this space in the centre of Kidwelly for an annual rental of £4000. This is based upon a sq ft rental value of £10.00 sq ft. The term of the rental lease would be 5+5 years. This is an initial 5 years, followed by a further 5 years with an annual RPI/CPI rent adjustment. In addition, KTC would be expected to pay a pro rata portion of utility bills, heating, lighting, council tax and cleaning. These are not currently known but would be approximately 9% of the total incurred by the Town Hall which has a square footage of +4000sq ft. KTC would be responsible for fit out of the space to suit your own requirements in keeping with a Grade II listed building and return in good condition at the end of the lease. Kidwelly Heritage Trust would be responsible for overall building maintenance. At this time, KTH is expected to be available for occupancy from April 2015. If you have any questions, please get back in touch. Kind regards Robin Cammish Chair Kidwelly Heritage Trust

44 | P a g e

Appendix 4(ii)

Kidwelly Heritage Trust Draft Heads of Agreement Between Kidwelly Town Council (KTC) Kidwelly Heritage Trust (KHT) Council Offices Llandyri House Hillfield Villas Kidwelly Kidwelly Carmarthenshire Carmarthenshire, SA17 4UL SA17 4EL Concerning: The Pelican 2+3 Bridge Street Kidwelly. Background The Pelican is currently owned by Kidwelly Town Council. The Pelican has been largely empty for 5 years (there are two tenants using part of the ground floor). It is not a Grade II listed building and dates back to approximately 1870.

45 | P a g e

Over the years it has been an iconic centre piece to Kidwelly and has had many active community and commercial uses: Town Council offices Meeting rooms Public House Inn and Coach House Kidwelly Library Hairdressers Intention With the endorsement and support of Kidwelly Town Council Kidwelly Heritage Trust, a not-for-profit organisation has been asked to lease the Pelican on a long-term lease with the aim of restoring and reinstating the Pelican back into active community use. To facilitate full restoration back into community use Kidwelly Town Council, the current owners, and Kidwelly Heritage Trust, the restorers, agree at a time to be decided upon; 1. Lease the Pelican for 125 years at a pepper-corn rent of £5 per annum. 2. Allow Kidwelly Heritage Trust to sub-lease the Pelican to tenants and community groups for their use. 3. Support a planning application for restoration of the Pelican 4. Guarantee that the Pelican will remain available for community use for the duration of this agreement, ie it will not be disposed of or sold. 5. Contribute to grant funding of the Pelican at the appropriate time

46 | P a g e

Kidwelly Heritage Trust as the Restorer of the Pelican Agrees to: 1. Operate as a Registered Charity and a not-for-profit organisation 2. Obtain planning permission for restoration 3. Restore the Pelican into community and commercial use 4. Operate the Pelican on behalf of Kidwelly and Mynyddygarreg residents groups and communities 5. Maintain the restored property in good order 6. Take out appropriate insurances on the Pelican 7. Sub-let the premises to tenants and community groups 8. Operate responsible governance and fiduciary management of The Pelican Kidwelly Town Council and Kidwelly Heritage Trust Jointly Agree 1. Work openly together to make this agreement work 2. Proactively work together to solve any problems that may arise during the agreement 3. Be allowed to terminate this agreement if the following fail to occur: a) grant of planning permission; b) grant funding for restoration; c) the Pelican fails to be financially viable.

47 | P a g e

Transition period At the onset of this agreement KHT does not have funds or grant funding to restore the Pelican. In order to facilitate a sustainable transition: 1. KTC agrees to pay for the refurbishment of the Pelican to enable the ground floor to be used as Council Offices and then occupy the ground floor as tenants for a minimum period of 3-5 years 2. KTC will continue to pay for the operating costs of the Pelican, insurance, heating, basic and emergency maintenance during this transition period. 3. By way of reciprocation, Town Council rents will be reduced by an amount equivalent to the cost of maintenance and refurbishment.

In other words, KHT is prepared to take on a full operating lease, but as a charity without initial funds for refurbishment KTC needs to pay for the upkeep of the Pelican during the transition period and during renovation. Signed:

48 | P a g e

Appendix 5 (i)

Memorandum of Understanding September 2009 Between Kidwelly Town Community Hall Trust {KTCHT) and Kidwelly Town Council {KTC} Details of the parties Name: Kidwelly Town Council (KTC)

Established: 1974

Address: Council Offices, Hillfield Villas, Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire SA17 4UL

Telephone: 01554 890203

Email: [email protected]

Contact: Mr Malcolm MacDonald

Position: Town Clerk

Name: Kidwelly Community Town Hall Trust (KTCHT)(working for the the Princess Gwenllian Centre) ( Charity Reg. No. 1072181)

Incorporated: 1998

Address Princess Gwenllian Centre, Hillfield Villas, Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire SA17 4UL

Telephone: 01554 891801 (for the Centre) 01554 890603 ( for the Chairperson)

Email: [email protected] (for the Chairperson)

Contact: Mr Brian Rees

Position: Chair person of the KTCHT trustees

49 | P a g e

1. Introduction

(1.1) Purpose

The parties agree to work together for the development, delivery, operation, administration and management of the phase 2 extension to the

Princess Gwenllian Centre Project, in Kidwelly Carmarthenshire.

The parties agree to work together in good faith and to adhere to principles of good practice on the project

(1.2) Key Principles for the Partnership

a) The parties acknowledge the following statement of principles to guide their partnership in relation to this project the project is community

focused and demand led to meet the needs of the town.

b) Both parties will demonstrate through their action a willingness to make the partnership succeed

c) Both parties in the project share a common vision, values and understanding of their individual obligations

50 | P a g e

2. Operation

This Memorandum of Understanding constitutes a statement of the mutual intentions of the parties with respect to its contents and each party to

the other that:

• it is an intent to share resources

• it does not constitute a legally binding document

• it creates no rights in favour of either party

(2.1) Management/Partnership Structure

The project will be managed through the following means:

(a) A working group for Phase 2

• The membership of this group consists of 4 members of Kidwelly Town Council and 4 members of the Kidwelly Community Town

Hall Trust (KTCHT)

(b) The Princess Gwenllian Centre

• The Kidwelly Community Town Hall Trust (KTCHT) are the lead body on this project. Reports from the working group are presented

and discussed at their monthly meetings. Actions, suggestions and requests are taken back to the working group.

(c) Kidwelly Town Council

• Reports from the working group are presented and discussed at monthly meetings. Actions, suggestions and requests are taken

back to the working group.

51 | P a g e

3. Funding Arrangements

3.1) The lead body in applying for grant funding for the project is the KTCHT

3.2) The Town Council has agreed via correspondence sent out on the 13th February 2009 to support the project and to match fund the costs towards

the final project.

3.3) The Town Council will endeavour to meet any requests reasonably and appropriately approved for funding, relating directly to the project, within

an agreed timetable.

3.4) All monies successfully obtained from funding bodies will be accounted for by the KTCHT and financial information pertaining directly to the project

will be made available to the working group.

3.5) The budget set for the project will be ascertained from the schedule of works and the tender process, all information will be reported through the

management structure as discussed above

3.6) The accounts of the Princess Gwenllian Centre will be audited as per the regulations set in its constitution and by the Charities Commission, and

information pertaining directly to the project will be taken to the working group

3.7) The KTCHT will be responsible for paying the contractors during the project for their services, this information will be agreed upon, actioned and

reported back to the working group.

52 | P a g e

4. Meetings and Reporting

4.1) As referred to in the management / partnership structure there will be working group that will work to progress the project, with the support of

both the KTCHT of the Princess Gwenllian Centre and the Town Council.

4.2) The working group will be referred to as the Princess Gwenllian Centre Phase 2 working group. NB This has been referred to above

4.3) The working group will consist of the following;

4.3i) The membership for this group is as follows as agreed in the minutes of the 8th October 2009 of the Phase 2 meeting, the Chairperson of the

princess Gwenllian Centre will chair the meetings.

4.3ii) There should be four members of the Town Council and four members of the Trust on the committee, plus the Project Officer and the Town

Clerk, as required.

4.3iii) The Project Officer will ensure that action points raised are progressed.

4.4) Minutes from the working group will be taken at each meeting and will record the actions and decisions agreed

4.5) Reports from the working group are to be presented and discussed at monthly meetings of the Princess Gwenllian Centre and at monthly meetings

of Kidwelly Town Council. Any suggestions for actions and discussions are to be taken back to the working group.

4.6) Working group meetings will be held at least monthly, however more frequent meetings may be called if the project necessitates.

4.7) If one of the elected members to the working group is unable to attend a meeting the Town Council and the KTCHT have the opportunity to ask

another member of their respective committees to attend in that individuals place.

53 | P a g e

4.8) The working group must ensure that at least 4 members from each party is available to attend the meeting.

4.9) In the event that the Chair of the trustees is unable to chair the meeting, another member, agreed upon by those present, may take this role for

this meeting

4.10) All parties, including contractors, will be required to report to the working group on the progress of the project.

4.11) The working group has the right to expand its members to include representatives from relevant organisations or businesses for a temporary

period to garner or enhance knowledge that may be deemed pertinent to the project.

5. Confidentiality

5.1) The need for confidentiality is essential to protect all individuals and contractors with regards to the tendering processes. It is essential that all

parties ensure that all matters are legal, fair and working to best practice relating to the project

5.2) No confidential information may be disclosed by any individual involved in the project unless:

5.2i) The matter has been discussed by the working group and has been agreed and minuted to be released for public knowledge

5.3) An individual who has received information deemed to be confidential, in relation to the project, must not use it except for the purpose of

progressing the project and the disclosure of such information has been agreed upon by the working group. (In particular, this point refers to quotes and

tenders for works for the project.)

54 | P a g e

6. Professional Support

6.1) Insurance

Where required by law, the parties will separately maintain insurance policies with respect to performance of their obligations under this

agreement.

6.2) Legal Representation

Both parties should ensure that they have access to the services of an independent legal advisor in the event that a matter, in relation to the

project, should require such representation.

6.3) VAT

Each party will need to determine its VAT status with regards to this project.

55 | P a g e

7. Arbitration

7.1) In the event of a dispute between the two parties an arbitrator being an independent third party, will be appointed to consider both sides of

the dispute, and to arrive at a decision to resolve the dispute.

7.2) The arbitration process would include the following elements:

a) The arbitrator chosen would be impartial and agreed upon by both parties.

b) The arbitration is binding

c) Both parties will agree to use the process

d) It will be private matter

e) The decision made will be by the arbitrator, and not the parties involved

f) The arbitrator will consider written information although a hearing or interviews may be conducted

g) The decision of the Arbitrator will be final and binding on both parties

56 | P a g e

8. Agreement

The parties, indicated on the front page of this document agree to work to the terms set out in this Memorandum of Understanding.

Party: Kidwelly Town Council (KTC)

Name:

Signed:

Date:

Party: Kidwelly Community Town Hall Trust (KTCHT)

Name:

Signed:

Date:

57 | P a g e

Appendix 5 (ii)

Historical Background

Consultants were appointed by Carmarthenshire County Council and the Amman Gwendraeth Partnership to prepare a Strategy for Kidwelly. The draft report recognised the need for a Community Hall which had been previously identified in the “Needs Survey” (Prepared by a questionnaire which went to every house in the Community). The questionnaire was prepared by Kidwelly Town Forum and Carmarthenshire County Council. This took place in July 1997.The Town Council at the time, decided to commence with the building of a Community Hall. The Town Council were holding a “pot of money” that had been ring fenced for a Community Hall, but quickly discovered that it would not be enough to complete the project.The Town Council could not access any funding that was available, so they decided to set up a Trust that could access suitable funding, (Summer 1998).

The Town Council, invited four members of the Community, to become “Holding Trustees” The “Holding Trustees” were as follows:-

Mr. David Gravell.

Rev.William Price.

Mr. Brian Rees

Mrs. Nesta Thomas

58 | P a g e

The “Holding Trustees” were responsible for the overseeing of the work carried out by the ”Executive Committee” and could not get involved with the day to day running of the hall.

“The “Executive Committee” would consist of not less than 12 members and not more than 16 members.

a) The four honorary officers (Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary and Treasurer)

b) Not less than 2 and not more than 4 members elected at the AGM, a further 4 could be co-opted by the committee if required.

c) 4 members of the Kidwelly Town Council, being the Mayor and 3 Councilors chosen by the town Council who shall hold office for 4 years. These were to report back to the Town Council

The four “Holding Trustees” were not happy with this set up, as all four wanted to be hands on and wanted to be more active in the running of the Hall. As a result the Trustees wrote to the Charities Commission asking for advice, and the outcome was that the responsibilities of the “Holding Trustees” were transferred to the Charities Commission, (February 2001) allowing all four to work on the Executive Committee.

59 | P a g e

60 | P a g e

The Trustees applied to “Cynnal” 21st Century Halls for Wales, for match funding, and were successful in getting £150K. They were also successful in getting £37.5K from the Welsh Office

This £187.5K was used to match fund Kidwelly Town Council’s £446K (All these figures have been rounded up.)

Following the return of the tenders, it was quickly recognised that the hall could not be built to the original plan. As tenders were over £1 million, it was decided to build the hall in three stages, and substantial cuts had to be made to Phase I, to bring the build in, on budget.

Plans were drawn up by the Town Council and the Architects used were Wynford & Philip Lewis. The Architects were changed to Harold Metcalfe Partnership prior to the start of the build.

61 | P a g e

62 | P a g e

Phase I of The Princess Gwenllian Centre was completed and opened in May 2001

This brief look into the history of the setting up of the Princess Gwenllian Centre, clearly shows that the Trust was set up purely to enable grant funding to be procured for the Town Council, and for managing the day to day running of the Centre, on behalf of the Town Council for the members of the Community.

This can be confirmed in the following minutes of Kidwelly Town Council from the meeting held on November 11th 1997, prior to the building of the Centre.

63 | P a g e

64 | P a g e

Appendix 6 ‐ Simply Sofas

65 | P a g e

Appendix 7 ‐ Questionnaire

COMMENTS Copy of Report

Name and address supplied

1 I cannot see how this Pelican building is an asset and if this is what an historic is then I say knock it down. Kidwelly Council should try looking to the future and not the past. Restoring the Pelican and keeping this building is nothing but a waste of money.

x X

2 Community offices, Library, reading rooms, commercial units for individual craft shops. The Council offices should be kept – pending on costs!! As it is too big just to house the town council, only an office and meeting room would suffice

X

3 Byddai fe’n cywiad da i defnyddor adeilad am youth hostel am pobl, teuluoedd ifanc ar ei hwyliau ond byddai fe’n cam cymeriad mawr i gael rhiw fath o hostel amd pobl sy’n cael triniaeth am cymryd cyyfuriau yng nghanol y dre – dw yn teimlo fod yr holiadur yn rhagfarnllyd at dewis i adfer yr adeilad 2‐4 stryd y bont‐y pelican. Mae en bwysig i hadfer yr hen neuadd dref ac mor gyflym a phosib achos mae twll yn y to a bydd y tywydd yn achosi mwy o difrod i’r adeilad a mwy o arian eu drwsio. Mae arain yn fryng yr amser hyn ac mae’n bwysig o cadw cyfleusterau am chwaraeon am pobl ifanc ac am cyfleustera am pobol o edran yn y cymuned.

x X

4 Old Council offices past repair too costly 5 For sale ‐The building needs to be sold its about time it went to someone new! 6 The building lends itself to community / commercial/ residential use, with the

latter 2 paying for the former, if managed properly 7* Sell it off and make good use of the money, knock it down and enhance the centre of the

town, make car park bigger . Only keep historic buildings in use if they are sustainable, viable and an asset for the town. The Castle is the only historic building worth keeping

x X

66 | P a g e



8 Town Council Offices, organisations within the town, commercial office spaces, museum, arts & crafts, co op, Bus stop shelter. There should be at least one day a week counter service at the pelican for the community to be afforded any council business, that would be appropriate to their requirements and requests –“in the meantime

9 This building has served its purpose it should be sold to boost Kidwelly councils funds. We should be looking forward to a new modern building

x X

10 Voting and flu injections ‐Ii t would be nice to have amenities in the Town centre like voting and flu injections

11 Swyddfa y Cyngor, lle ir ieuenctud i gwrdd, lle ir plant a Mame, Llyfyrgell, museum. Fe Ddelswm gwerthfawrogi ein amser gorffenol a chadw yn fyw ac yn ein meddiant

12 To be sold ‐Don’t have the money?! 13 Get Rid 14 Reduce it in size, create pull in for buses, build a bus shelter, widen entrance to

station road, enlarge existing car park. This is a good opportunity to make a better entrance to station road considering what is situated there eg fire station, doctors surgery, Gwenllian centre, park, school, quay, canal, railway station and many new houses.

x X

15 Loaded questions! This project would take at least I million pounds to restore – it would not be cost effective to do bits, I’ve built enough to know. It is only the facade that has any historical value . I don’t trust politicians what was wrong with the first vote, maybe you didn’t get the answer you wanted!

X

16 Sell it ‐Don’t waste further money 17 Selling ‐ Where’s the money coming from then? Is this the money that’s going to be

used that you promised the kids!!!!

67 | P a g e



18 Sold off for moving on, a buyer could make a better job, we could use the money for the town. My neighbour is too busy with this building.

19 Community, commercial ,Not Gwenllian – too far for elderly to collect garden waste bags

20 Only if financially self supporting but this is unlikely, please refer to the results of the community visioning day held in the PGC in 2007 (?) what has been the outcome? NIL !ZILCH!ZERO! Unrealistic expectations encouraged from the participating community (not so much as a zebra crossing!) and here we go again GET REAL GET RID!

21 Should really be sold we don’t have the money !! 22 It was taken to a vote to sell the building and the vote was SELL why is that

certain people will not accept the majority of people and keep asking the same question until they get the answers they want to hear?

23 Sold on for commercial use. Please do not waste any further money. There are some people wanting you all to fail. We will lose our historic council and all it means! Do not want to be picked on by some of the Councillors.

24 Commercial for more work in the community. Many of us cannot make comments because of repercussions

25 Council offices and library, youth activities, tourist information, supporting local artists & craft persons‐display and sell, community clubs & societies In addition to the pelican reverting to its former use – it was misguided to abandon it‐ the lovely old town hall should be restored for community use. Grant aid for either or both would be ideal but a start should be made asap with or without.

x x

68 | P a g e



26 Council offices & community use, ie Meeting place for organisations, if building is too big, some of it could go as flats. Derelict building on square makes bad impression. Expecting locals to go to Gwenllian (pig in a poke) with problems etc. OK for the fit but not for pensioners. Council offices should be in centre of town – not out of the way!!!

X x

27 The Council only needs a small place for office space & meetings sell the building and use our money where needed.

28 Sold for help with the problems in the area –local financial. We cannot afford to pay for this building, unless we take the money off other things we need like the bus and skate park and toilets at the quay‐ read the website

29 SOLD! You ask the m=children what they would like in the area , then wonder where the money has gone ...should be sold !!!

X x

30 Werthi ‐ Dylair pelican cael ei werthi ar arian mynd at tywysoges Gwenllian ail rhan

31 Ar y llawr isa cael swyddfar Cyngor ag ar y llawr ucha fflatiau o safon uchel 32 Money for other things 33 Get rid of it and save money 34 Town council offices, town meetings instead of the rugby club, a place babies

mams and dads can meet, a swao shop, museum. The town council need to return to the centre of town, it should never have left the council offices/pelican in the first place, the renovation of the ground floor of the pelican for less mobile persons could have been done then. The money spent staying out would have covered the cost

X x

35 Sold ‐ Sell the building please

69 | P a g e



36 Good restaurant, hotel, wine bar, start up business units, educational use, retail units, gallery/ art, first choice is a craft centre (small units) It is important ALL town centre buildings are maintained and presentable. Visitors impressions are important for the town as a whole. Maintaining ownership is too costly for a building with no particular architectural appeal

37 It’s an eyesore in the centre of town needs knocking down 38 The building is an eyesore and of no significant historic value whatsoever

except to the few who have their own agenda

39 Council offices, tourist offices, business offices. Grant funding should be first option pursued

40 Money should be used where needed not on old building 41* Mayoral gatherings, reception meetings, administrative, reference (history

displays), council meetings. It is very important to restore and preserve our heritage as a resident i am very indebted to Cllr Byron Huws for his writing and reminding us of our past history especially his recent article on local ? ?l life

X x

42 Councillors, Mayoral duties, something for the youth. I would like to see something for the children and youth without them having to pay to much for the use

X x

43 Bakery, ice cream parlour, sweet shop, keep library, museum, keep hairdressers. It would be great to have the old Kidwelly back not bleak like it is now also somewhere in the centre of the town to collect blue bags for the elderly

44 Offices of the local council, use of rooms for community, heart of the community should be in the heart of the town‐Councillors represent the people of the town and therefore should take heed of those wishes of their voters, and if their wish is to return to borough offices then do their best to return

x x

70 | P a g e



45 I do not think that the former pelican building is a very important Welsh building. I have not seen any book or paper that would make me change my view about this. I am therefore of the opinion that it need not stay in public ownership and should be sold for its market value which is the sum that can be obtained from a willing buyer by a willing seller with the building in its unimproved state. The building is far too large for the modest needs of the Council Offices. The 1870 town hall is an ugly building which dominates the centre of the town and impedes the flow of traffic to some extent. I t does not appear to have any architectural merit, it should be demolished and in its place should be erected something more in keeping with the centre of town. My suggestion is a monument to the tin workers miners and keel workers their wives and children

x x

46 Gym, internet cafe, education IT etc. Keep historic buildings for modern and up to date use. We need to go forward no backwards in time.

x x

47 It’s past repair , better access required for fire engine and ambulance 48 Council, Library, information centre, arts centre, community rooms,

cinema1.Bridge Street is the town centre 2. Gwenllian Centre is too far out for elderly walkers 3. Kidwelly is dying on its feet , it has castle history, community and geography, none is being effectively utilised

x x

49 Knock it down to get better junction access to station road bridge street 50 Council offices, Mayors parlour ‐ I would keep the borough offices has it is, has

been this way, once owned by my grandmother and I used to sleep there in my youth. I would not want to see this historic building destroyed

x x

71 | P a g e



51 The Pelican has been so badly neglected that to bring it back into use will cost too much in the present economic climate. The junction at the top of station road is very dangerous and the safety aspect should be addressed before there is a fatal accident. This should be top priority in considering what to do with the pelican

52 Not a historic building – maybe Council offices should be in the Lord Nelson pub as I think that’s where a lot of things are decided

53 Council Main offices. I would like to see the pelican returned with funding (grants) as our main council offices

x x

54 Council offices, upstairs for youth activities, flat for caretaker Upstairs – pool and tennis tables, somewhere for youngsters to go to get them off the streets. Downstairs council offices far more convenient for residents meetings, can meetings still be held at the Gwenllian centre

x x

55 Please, please, please can someone be brave enough to push for the redevelopment of the so called town square – for centuries a host of different buildings stood here – including the 12th priors house‐ but by 1970 the whole lot had been razed to the ground and replaced by what......? A Toilet block the size of a small bungalow and an electricity sub station! Time for a rethink of this important town centre site surely?

x X

56 Hairdressers, Library, top floor flat with live in caretaker. This building had had its day please don’t use the town library for an excuse for keeping this run down building

x X

57 Evening youth activities, community education, evening classes, theatre arts centre(like queens hall Narberth) How can the pelican be used to enhance the quality of life of local residents

72 | P a g e



58 I would like to have had more information on these options –costs etc for example

x X

59 In my opinion the former council offices – pelican is not an historic building and not an asset to the town. If anything it is an eyesore and hinders the flow of traffic in a busy road any money spent on the pelican is a waste

x

60 Library, youth centre. I f the former council offices were to be sold it would be brilliant if it could be used to serve the community in some way

x X

61 It would be nice to reopen the old council offices. Money should have been spent a few years back to put a lift in and renovate the upstairs. The Mayors parlour and exhibition room s were great rooms and made residents proud. Lets have the history back from the industrial museum into our offices and make the town proud again

x X

73 | P a g e



62 The Pelican the pelican the pelican, it should be called the albatross, so long has it hung around our necks! How long has this and the Kidwelly Town Councils argued, disagreed and so remained deadlocked and inactive on this subject. The Council offices should be in the town hall NOT the Gwenllian centre which is a sports hall, a very good one and a well used venue. It is a pity no costings are given with this questionnaire. During the public meeting at the rugby club, I asked i f the development of the Gwenllian centre was dependent on the sale of the pelican, the answer was no it dos not, Therefore it is clear the 2 can be dealt with quite separately. I believe the Gwenllian itself is self financing so the council should use its limited funds to bring the town hall into use. There is a requirement by groups in the town for meeting areas eg history groups, twinning, allotment/ gardening currently meet in cafes , pubs and rugby club in the town centre – the town hall would be ideal. Thomas Kymer would not think twice if her were on the council today. I doubt he would have let a long disused building that has changed its face so many times stand in the way of progress! One last reason why the offices should be in the centre of town, it makes it easier to return such questionnaires as this, it will go via the old office – in the centre of town. I urge you to decide very soon and have the newly refurbished town hall in action for C900. Thus displaying the progress you have made

x x

63 Pelican – poor location, poor parking, dangerous for old people to access, money from sale of building should be used to develop somewhere more modern, certain group of cllrs only have one agenda (guess what)

64 I would be very pleased to see our heritage preserved and restored to its former glory for my grandchildren and for future generations

x x

74 | P a g e



65 Swyddfeydd y Cyngor, achlysuron cymuned, siopau, adfer trysorau’r dref i’w safle gwreiddiol. Credaf mae hi’n hanfodol bwysig fod Swyddfeydd cynt y Cyngor (adeilad y pelican)yn aros mewn perchnogaeth Cyngor tref cydweli

66 Sell it look to children’s future not past

67 Divided into residential affordable housing for young. Shops and flats, knock some down for street widening, sold off‐ privatised. A hunger strikers hostel. Even in a normal year when there were no cuts due to the credit crunch would it be a worthwhile use of public funds, or grant funding to restore these buildings: sell them off for private use or build affordable flats for Kidwellys youth – badly needed.

x x

68 Restore Council offices, drop in centre for community, exhibition area on history of Kidwelly, workshops to help young get work – I strongly object to the pelican building being sold any commercial/ residential use. This building has a strong history link and should be kept. Instead of ploughing money into the hall use it to do up the pelican and town hall, both buildings should be kept for the community.

x x

69 Office, Tourist information, extend library, hair dresser, Gift shop, bread and cake shop, ice cream parlour – I strongly disagree with the former council offices being sold off and made into flats, as it will attract undesirables to the centre of town.

75 | P a g e



70 Community, top floor residential as it was in previous times – The former council offices should be used. The monies wasted and spent on lifts, temporary offices could have been used to make the offices suitable for less abled and with less money.

x x

71 Mayors parlour, council office, library‐ Kidwelly is an ancient town, we should be keeping, using and restoring our old buildings, this includes the old town hall(lady st) and the borough offices bridge street.

72 We are in a very difficult economic climate, money should be spent to help community provision –not this

73 Shops. Meetings, factory type accommodation, ‐ if sold all these can be achieved. If this group honestly listened to what their leader is saying and doing with regard to the people of our town, they would be and act for the town and for the reason they were elected and would act such – we all know what would happen to this!

74 There’s no parking in town plenty in Gwenllian 75 Young person, child focused, summer club for children when parents work,

evenings classes, day classes, In Llandovery there is a building run for the use of the community it is a brilliant example they rent rooms out plus have computers for everyday use by community, its a hub of activity for the youngsters of the town., they even go on holiday camp in the summer. Its run by a lady called Gill Tattman at Gerwyn house in Llandovery, it’s a credit to them her no is ******

76 Problems in the area –website

76 | P a g e



77 Indoor market, drama and dance groups, mother and toddler groups, extend library, promote tourism, and local info, computer groups/ internet cafe. Teenagers in area would benefit, also local residents need to buy cheaper food. As there is more residential properties planned for Kidwelly we need retailers whose prices are competitive and affordable, we need this as Kidwelly does not have facilities to support more building, both grocery store prices are appalling‐ children need facilities too

x x

78 Sell for commercial development – stop squabbling and move on – look to the future not the past

79 Knock down station road end to improve access to junction 80 Gym, youth club, skittles alley, leisure for children, army cadets, indoor activity

centre ‐ a gym is important because health is an issue in Kidwelly buy many cant access one easily as many are without transport

x x

81 Sold for money and give it to the youth‐ what can we say they have decided 82 Ease the congestion 83 For use by the elderly, youth centre, adult education centre, evening classes.

Why burden the town/council with the cost of upkeep of a useless building just because of its history! Sell it and invest in the town,

84 Sold we don’t have the money

77 | P a g e



85 Commercial/ residential flats to create money for council, community‐ income from above increase benefits and facilities, bring building back to life with year round activities for everyone. It is of vital importance to retain and preserve the Kidwelly town centre preferably at the former offices‐ subject to grant aid or alternatively at the town hall. It is now felt that it is seriously time to develop tourism within the town and surrounding area , designated undercover tourism and visitor centre be allocated promoting the historic buildings to visit and easy to manage walks within the area. The theme of the black cat and hen fenyw fach Cydweli and the loshin du be developed and offered for sale black cat brooches and badges, loshin du and prints of historical interest within the area of our buildings and other landmarks.

x x

86 Sell it!!! 87 Let the building go – this form is not fair 88 Surrounding areas, financial problems, sold – we cant afford to have this

building, there will be no money left for the children such as parks etc.

89 Sold for money to help the community –the building should be sold off and any money used to help sporting groups in the town

90 Craft shops, take side away from pelican for better access to station road for safety to pedestrians and traffic this would be a great chance and good opportunity for the town. My comments re for safety, when the hall in Highfield villas was given the decision to start building we living in Hillfield villas were given the promise that station road and Hillfield villas would be made into a one way system because of the pelican junction.

x x

91 Community, commercial flats. More investment is needed to make the own more appealing to tourists and potential investors

x x

78 | P a g e



92 I disagree that the council should restore the building. The building should be sold at a figure to enable the new owner to do repairs and refurbishment, Even IF grants were obtained where would future funds come from for its maintenance?

x x

93 There are many other uses of scarce funding that we need to use for the community. This is not the economic climate to be doing up buildings

94 If converting some rooms to flats offering to local residents in Kidwelly 95 If sold to developers the money could be used by the council for an extension

on the Gwenllian then the council would have modern offices x x

96 Sold for money addition, sold for money for youth, sold for ending debt, sold for an end to doubt, sold to act on other issues, sold to end bullying by new councillors‐ a copy of this is available for the press. The form is not good enough for an intelligent response. We will be interested in the way this will be sorted out for agreement. An open forum with the public would be ideal not chosen for the group. Would I dare to leave my details? Not stupid!

97 Sell – this form is not user friendly! Where is the educated caring councillors? 98 Sell it x 6 – no more council money should be wasted on the former council

offices

99 Whilst the building may be nice to look at the congestion on that corner is terrible the local people access all their local needs there why cant we spend money on improving the access there

100 Don’t think it has much use for the community, just a roundabout instead councillors should stand and watch the traffic there‐ (dangerous) Gwenllian centre would be a great choice modern building good parking

101 Meetings, shops, library. I feel that if it is converted into flats then we will have another ford court and the town centre will be more of a slum than it already is.

79 | P a g e



102 The money (tax payers) spent on rent for portacabins could have been used to refurbish former council offices and keep the public open

x x

103 Permanent site for Council Offices. The Pelican building should be restored and used by the Council as their offices. The Council offices should be moved back to he pelican from it’s present OUT OF TOWN building re: Princess Gwenllian centre

x x

104 Sold ‐Due to age and condition of building, I think it should be sold off to a private developer and the money put to use somewhere in the town.

105 Council offices, office units to let, retain library, internet cafe. The council offices need major refurbishment before they can be utilised

106 Council offices, council meetings, public meetings. x x 107 In this financial climate, money needs to go where it will benefit the

community.

108 SELL 109 x x 110 Administration, Library, information centre, town hall displays, community

meetings. Complete refurbishment – Installation of a lift – priority. Priority parking at rear ‐3or 4 bays reserved.

x x

111 Hotel/ restaurant. Develop regeneration strategy for town centre. Work with heritage organisations

x x

112 Please sell this building – This format has not left enough room for discussion or expansion of disagreement etc.

113 Sell it – All money used for future not past 114 Council offices, tourist info community shop

80 | P a g e



115 Commercial, residential, sold. The pelican is an old building which needs a lot of money spent on it. There is an alternative new build (phase 2) which would great to accommodate the council with plenty of parking facilities and low maintenance compared to the pelican

x x

116 Council x x 117 Get rid of it 118 Council offices, information centre, museum, library x x 119 Please sell 120 Sell it off 121 Banking f facility, tourist gift shop, interactive tourist displays, meeting rooms,

UTA centre, local artists gallery, local produce market. Questionnaire lacks clarity.

122 Residential/ flats 123 Town Council Offices x x 124 Council offices, crèche nursery, library, shops, museum, restaurant/ cafe x x 125 Housing for Council, use rooms for locals x x 126 Anything as long as its sold. Sell it the decision has already been made 127 Where would the money come from to restore it anyway 128 Please sell the building 129 Cymuned, masnach, llyfrgell, preswyl, flatiau. Beth bynnag a wnelir maen

anfodol fod pawb yn gytun ar y penderfyniad, gan obithio y fydd yn doeth. Chwarae teg i Cydweli maer gwelliadau sydd wedi ei gwneud wedi gwella golwg yr hen drefa‐ felly pob lwc eto ir dyfodol

130 Council meetings, council offices 131 Tourist information centre, room showing the history of the last 900 years,

room for a party x x

81 | P a g e



132 Council offices, council meetings, public meetings. x x 133 Teach youngsters to knit, crochet, embroider, use sewing machines, carpentry

work, gardening x x

134 Knock it down improve the junction 135 Swyddfar Cyngor, e mwyn y cymuned, swyddfa gwybodaeth twristiaedd,

swyddfa gwybodaeth i bobl Cydweli a Mynyd y Garreg. Mae yn bwysig bod y Cyngor yn dod yn ol i ganol y dref yn swydda yn 2‐4 stryd y bont.

x x

136 Youth Centre, coffee shop, visitors information centre, IT introduction/cyber cafe, library. It is an ideal opportunity to keep the young people of Kidwelly off the streets. Whilst the Gwenllian centre is excellent for sport, not all the young people are interested in sport. It would e essential to keep this open in the evenings to suit young people.

x x

137 Council offices, library, tourist office, reading rooms, internet, for other meetings other than council, seminars etc. It should be restored forthwith, TIME HAS ALREADY BEEN WASTED. Its in the centre of town and should not be allowed to go to wreck and ruin. It is the heart of the town and is easy to access for those without transport or do not have a car

x x

138 Community, council offices, tea rooms, reading rooms, library. Get back to borough offices as quick as you can because Carms and Llanelli are slowly taking over our heritage which isn’t right. Wrong course to take if it is sold over our heads

139 Library, Reading Rooms, snooker tables. Dear Councillor and Mayor, You have been nit picking over these projects for years now, get on with your job. The quay also needs seeing to repair to the under water level. Quay wall is collapsing into the river –historical project yes!

x x

140 Council offices as was. The Council offices in bridge street should never have been moved from that site in the first place.

x x

82 | P a g e



141 Ground floor for library , community, commercial, upper floors for residential/ flats.

142 Council offices 143 Heritage centre, MP surgery, gallery, small office lettings, information centre

for tourists, themed restaurant in evenings

144 Council offices, Kidwelly youth x x 145 Sell it, knock it down or sell it 146 Commercial usage? private office use? Storage? Possible b &b in future?

Tourist office? Creche? A fresh start in the proposed new extension at The Princess Gwenllian Centre. There are parking facilities there – more appropriate for and including disabled access. Part of the community activities more. Former council offices (pelican) should be sold on for possible commercial potential in the towns future.

147 Knock it down and improve the junction 148 Council offices, community shop, commercial. A sale would be a total

abrogation of the councils responsibility, for future use of this site

149 Removed and site redeveloped.. If anything the site should be cleared and new development of up to date facilities provided

x x

150 Commercial

83 | P a g e



151 For local clubs/societies to be able to meet and hold events. To have part of the area for the Council. To have what was once a flat used as such again, so that there would be a presence in the building on weekends and evenings. If still enough room left a room or two as offices perhaps. Have part of the downstairs as a facility for local people to bring products to sell eg honey arts, crafts, fruit and veg, cakes soft toys, hand knitted jumpers etc. Staff such a facility with volunteers.. If no grant funding can be obtained, then without grant funding if finance could be somehow be raised. Hopefully grant funding could be raised

x x

152 Council offices. Library, hairdresser, youth club, snooker pool rooms, arts and crafts, tourist information, internet cafe

153 Council offices, peoples co‐op, heritage centre, not for profit coffee/tea shop, gift shop, local craft centre. The location of the council offices in the PGC is extremely inconvenient and has put me off on many an occasion. It is vital lthat the council is seen to be visible and central in order to thrive and be credible. In the PGC it is not. Look after our heritage, it is Kidwellys best asset

x x

154 At the moment it’s a liability not an asset! Residential flats, knock it down if necessary. Kidwelly council could end up with more office space than Carmarthenshire! The original pelican was a hotel – it is not fit for any other purpose. It’s historical importance is doubtful‐ the historical meetings held there where moved to another location – not fit for purpose even then. What does Kidwelly really need now? Council offices all over the town? No ! Reasonably prices starter homes for young people. A commemorative plaque on the pelican would suffice

X X

84 | P a g e



155 Ground floor, shops offices etc, upper floors flats. We have a very good community centre that should be extended as proposed to accommodate the council offices. The town needs to move forward and this II feel would be a good start.

x x

156 No decision can be made. This questionnaire is ambiguous and biased towards The restoration of the pelican. When seeking opinions about important councilDecisions, people should be informed about the financial and social implicationOf each option. At this time of the recession, which Council services will be Reduced to finance any historical restoration? The Council should be taking A wider view of the needs of Kidwelly, not pursuing a particular interest to the Detriment of everything else.

x x

157 Knock it down disgusting waste of money. x x 158 Council offices on ground floor, affordable flats on upper floors. The bridge

street buildings owned by either Kidwelly council or Carms county are a disgrace – where does our money go

159 You would not listen you have made up your minds already – heavy format for the pelican, bad form unfair – don’t want to be bullied by you know who

160 Library, reading rooms, snooker, community room for elderly. Now you have a grant for car park, the quay is badly in need of repair, wall under the water level crumbling into the quay and in need of repair, wall under water level crumbling into river. Repair should be done sooner rather than later or we will lose our historical heritage forever. We need to keep the quay for future generations and tourists very important for business in our town. British Heritage and lottery will help, hold a public meeting and take a vote.

x x

161 Used for selling! The building should be put up for sale! 162 Needs to be sold. Should be sold, why keep something that is no good to anyone?

Read the web

85 | P a g e



163 Just get rid of it !!! It is a total liability and a waste of community resources 164 Put it up for sale‐ don’t waste public money on this building x x 165 Council business as before, community centre for the use of residents x x 166 The current offices in Gwenllian are fine and have just had money spent on

them. The Pelican building would be better taken down to ease congestion

167 The site kept and adapted to following comments – I would like to see the building demolished! To cater for today’s traffic, Station Road whereby are sited the towns amenities ie. Train station, hall park, doctors surgery, fire brigade, and poss the post office. The old pelican would better serve the town and tourism by yielding its area to extend the road. Also there could be a few disabled spaces and a patio style seating area with notice boards placed there. Having been born and bred and REMAINED in the town, I have a keen and sincere interest in its history. Having witnessed the removal of ancient buildings needlessly. I would not normally I would not choose to see another go but in this case the old pelican has already lost its character and authenticity and we must consider safety above expensive dreams. We have a finer looking building in the town hall so lets put our monies into that where a civic centre could be sited

x x

168 I do not want any more local money spent on revamping this building – local money should be used on community projects.

169 Council Offices, tourist information centre, Library as current, Community workshops, meeting centre and conferences, bring back museum artefacts from industrial museum which is seldom open

x x

170 This form is to complicated the people have voted once to sell the building, why have you not listened

86 | P a g e



171 This building has been a drain on the Councils finances for many years. It has been under utilised for more than 20 years and is totally unsuitable for public or community use. The councillors who support the retention of this building need to stop dreaming pipe dreams and face the facts. The only option is to dispose of this building!

x x

172 Swyddfa twristiaid, siop elusen, caffi i’r iuenctid. Penderfynwyd dwy flynedd yn ol. Pam gwario mwy o’n harian eto. Does dim atyniadau hanesyddol yno. Mae hen neuadd y dre yn werth ei adfer fel y dangoswyd yn yr arolwg ychydig o flynyddoedd yn ol. Plis canolbwyntiwcch ar broblemau mwy difrifol yn y dre

x x

173 Sell it to anyone that wants it. The residents of this town have already voted that the want the building sold. Why is yet more money being wasted. Sell the building and spend the money on local parks and facilities for the children and youth of the town, we can not live in the past.

x x

174 Knock down part of the building as far as the library to improve the access to station road as there are lots of facilities there (list of facilities provided)

175 Community shop, council offices 176 Community groups, scouts and cubs, charity shop, youth meeting place, coffee

shop that is volunteer run for charity, book exchange. We need, as a town to take ownership of our history, and not let it be sold off.

177 This building in this day and age is in the wrong location for council offices. It creates traffic nightmares it should be knocked down and the area and the area redesigned into an open area to make the town more attractive to visitors

x

178 Get rid of. Please move with the times and look forward to the future not the past –watching with interest

87 | P a g e



179 It was already agreed by public vote to sell the pelican and the council to stay at the Gwenllian. This scenario is just a political play by certain Councillors to have their own way regardless of public opinion

180 Look to the future not the past 181 Please do not throw anymore of the rate payers money at this ruin of a

building and do something which is in the interest of most of the residents of Kidwelly Thank you

182 Council offices –open longer hours so we can pop in anytime to sort out probs etc. Centre for young people to form a club and get them off the streets and then to keep them out of trouble, they possibly even help to run it. Pop in community centre for lonely and elderly town residents to meet up.

x x

183 Library, council offices, meeting rooms for groups or classes x x 184 None 185 Budget accommodation, shops, craft workshops 186 I don’t mind if the council offices are in the former pelican or in a restored

town hall. I do like the idea of a youth hostel at the former offices building. In any case these offices would be ideally sited to make a Welsh tourist board centre.

x x

187 Restaurant, shops, children’s youth club. Although it is a lovely building it’s a shame to see it go to waste, it has potential to be so many great things, to bring more trade to the town of kidwelly

188 Council offices, library, function rooms for meetings. Should never have been left from the start wasting money on portacabins.

189 Community groups, shops, craft workshops, council offices, information centre 190 Council offices, upstairs used for sport

88 | P a g e


Name andaddress supplied

191 Commercial meetings, meetings for all, council offices & meetings, community meetings. Moving to the princess Gwenllian centre was the wrong move and the money wasted down in the centre was wrong and should have been to repair the council offices in 2‐4 bridge street.

x x

192 Community meetings, for meetings to all, council offices meeting. Moving to the Princess Gwenllian centre was the wrong move and the money wasted down in the centre was wrong, and should have been to repair the council offices in 2‐4 bridge street.

193 Council Offices. Community shop, charity shop, craft and tourist outlets, Library

194 None of the above knock it down or sell it off 195 Small retail units (diversity to Kidwelly) hostel similar to youth hostel,

residential flats, better than nothing, but what kind of tenant? Poor tenants could increase problems in central position. Statements too diverse, IF grant funding yes, if otherwise sold off if too much of a financial burden. Needs improving as it occupies a central position but town council cannot afford it without money from elsewhere

196 Waste of public money to do up old building

89 | P a g e



197 Our proposal for the Pelican is for a small, quality hotel to cater for the walkers, cyclists and bird watchers who come to Kidwelly for the coastal path, the cycle paths and estuary wildlife. This proposal could take advantage of fostered links with the RSPB and wildfowl trust, cycling clubs and ramblers assoc. Our vision would see the hotel markets as environmentally sound – using renewable energies such as solar and ground source or air source, with rain water tanks for grey water use. To maximise the outdoor healthy living potential it would need to be refitted and promoted as child and dog friendly. From the very beginning this could be seen as a project to involve the whole of Kidwelly‐ with some of the money being raised locally from people investing as little or as much as they can. Local trades people would be used in the initial stages of the development and when the hotel was up and running a local workforce would be trained. The restaurant should use locally sourced ingredients where possible – Burns for eggs and veg, Dyfatty Bakery for bread, Felinfoel brewery for beer, Penderyn distillery for spirits, local ice cream, meats and cheeses etc. The Welsh Government could be of great help with marketing on their Visit Wales site‐ they even have a section for ‘cyclists and walkers’ welcome’ awards. We feel that the council offices should be situated in the town hall rather than the Gwenllian centre, because here really is no other use for that building. As a footnote can I add that repeated questionnaires are becoming an embarrassment – please make up you minds and act accordingly!

x x

198 Sell it 199 Library, Tourist Information 200 Community groups, shops, council offices, information centre, craft work ‐

shops. The restoration of the pelican building by the town council will help to regenerate the town centre

90 | P a g e



201 Swyddfa Cyngor 202 Council Offices 203 Get Rid 204 Commercial, residential, community x x 205 Residential / Flats – private not DSS 206 Community, Tourist info, council info, rooms to be rented, for public use 207 Sell x 6 208 Widening the junction by removing a corner of the building to enable safer

access/ egress in station road – With the continued house building in Station road and Ysgol Gwenllian . fire station/ community hall/ doctors all needing access the junction with bridge street is difficult and dangerous. The removal of part of the building to enable better access would benefit the whole community of KIDWELLY

x x

209 DEFINATELY NOT RESIDENTIAL OR FLATS , Library, facilities for the towns youth other than sport. The Council offices should definitely be moved back to the town centre, where it belongs , to make it easily accessible to the people.

x x

210 Commercial. Community, library, residential , flats. You only have to take a walk around the ‘old town’ and you cannot but admire the excellent work that has been done by Mrs. John Burns and family‐ such excellent craftsmanship and art what ever he has undertaken.

211 Permanent town council offices, meeting rooms for organisations 212 OAP groups, youth groups, cubs, scouts, charity shop. 213 Offices, Library, flats, council meetings, shop? x x 214 I think the building should be restored with the use of funding that is available,

consideration should be given to this as a priority. The uses outlined above could be a combined use

x x

91 | P a g e



215 I would like to see the town hall restored to its original glory, and become a museum. To preserve our cultural and industrial past of our ancient town

x x

216 Youth 217 Sell it 218 Sell it asap 219 Council Community 220 Shops, Gym, youth club 221 Council offices, council offices & community, community. As Kidwelly is an

ancient town, should be kept as such. Much has been destroyed already, do not destroy anymore

x x

222 Make Kidwelly more tourist active, maintaining towns facilities, ease for towns people to use. The Gwenllian centre is not all that convenient too the aged and infirm. The pelican is serve by all the local bus services and has no such problem.

x x

223 Council Offices, community meetings, shops, craft room, offices bar & function room

224 Council offices, community centre x x 225 Knock it down 226 Sold, shops, local sale, private money. Do we have the money, we need to use

our money for the people, will wait for the next unofficial news!

227 SELLL IT! Don’t waste our money 228 WAST O AMSER 229 GWERTHWCH Y LLE NAWR 230 Council offices as before please as this is central to the town 231 Council offices, flats, community meetings, rented shops, library, hairdressers

92 | P a g e



232 Council offices, flats, community meetings, rented shops, library, hairdressers

233 Social enterprise. Gym, internet cafe (free wi‐fi) elderly day services in ground floor.

233 Questionnaires had narratives, all comments have been recorded above

Options Working Group Report - WhatDoTheyKnow · All considered options have been subjected to a SWOT analysis. ... Subsequently, the PGC have been unsuccessful in their funding bid

Documents