• The post you are reporting:
   
  Jack, just ONE question!
  
  
  Questions for Scrutiny
  
  1. Given that you sold this public asset to developers to turn into a cinema
  
  over five years ago, why hasn’t this happened?
  
  2. What due diligence was undertaken to ensure ‘Silver Screens’ or those
  
  calling themselves this had the experience and wherewithal to make
  
  this happen? What guarantees were sought from ‘Silver Screens’?
  
  3. When the price was dropped, why weren’t the other bidders notified?
  
  Isn’t this a legal requirement?
  
  4. What covenants have been applied? Class D1 and D2 and Sui Generis
  
  Theatre within the Use Classes Order 1987 is documented but a 20-
  
  year clause which prohibits a change of use has been mentioned in the
  
  press . Where is this documented?
  
  5. Why – when the building is deemed of historical interest and is in a
  
  conservation area – is it not being protected and preserved? What
  
  measures have DDC’s heritage and conservation staff taken to date
  
  and what will they be taking in future? Does the Committee agree with
  
  DDC’s CEO’s opinion that it would be ‘counter-productive to enforce
  
  the covenant. Clearly if we felt no effort was being made then the
  
  Council would look to take action’. At what point would DDC deem
  
  progress to be ‘inaction’?
  
  6. Why has the Council not used any of its widespread powers of
  
  enforcement to make the current owners:
  
   maintain the fabric of the building
  
   use the building appropriately
  
   pay appropriate rates (does DDC believe that the current
  
  occupants of the Regent are paying business rates on the whole
  
  building?)
  
   open the building as a cinema?
  
  7. What further action could the Scrutiny Committee advise the Cabinet to
  
  take to move the matter forward?

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