THE leader of Thurrock Council has issued a statement over the decision to close the Thameside Theatre.
A Thurrock Council spokesperson said: “The cross party scrutiny work on the Thameside, reported to Cabinet in December 2015, concluded that the building did not meet current needs.
“The closure, and the timing of the closure, will depend upon the outcome of on-going work which includes looking at options for a new theatre in Grays, the library review taking place this year and progress in delivering the Grays town centre masterplan.
Central to the masterplan is a new crossing for the railway line for which we are awaiting the Government’s announcement of the Local Growth Fund Round 3 projects.
Leader of the Council, Cllr Rob Gledhill said: “I have made it clear that no stone will be left unturned when it comes to ensuring taxpayers money is spent wisely. It costs around £1million over and above the income it generates to run the Thameside complex each year – that means every household is paying around £15 from their council tax just to keep it open year in year out.
“To keep throwing their money at a building which is long past its prime, to keeping a failing theatre provision running is just folly.
“However, We have made clear time and time again there should be a theatre in Grays, it features in our Grays masterplan and we are waiting to hear if funding will be made available to help us realise that in the next three years.
“A new, modern and functional theatre in Grays will help stimulate a decent night time economy, improve our capital town as well as reduce the burden on tax payer money.”
Hmm. £1m pa you say. Now if we cut all services provided at the thameside then the council saves £1m or £20,000 per week. Would it then cost nothing to reprovide a library service, local history museum and theatre. Is the supposed £1m cost of the Thameside theatre the marginal extra cost of running these services on this site or is the supposed £1m the total cost of the Current Thameside. Anyway, please explain how it costs £20,000 a week to run our Thameside. Has someone turned to central heating up to max? Have all the senior council officer salaries been allocated to the Thameside budget heading? Publish Thameside Profit and loss statement so we can see the facts.