Can the Council make a profit out of Lampton Conference Centre
One of the agenda items at the 21 September meeting was a motion on the recent decision of Labour Councillors to market the Lampton Conference Centre despite this not making financial sense according to the Conservative Group. The motion exposed the folly in marketing the venue as a report that went to Executive in July made it very clear that this will cost money.
Councillor Mark Bowen, Leader of the Conservative Group, said:
“Both Councillors Sharma and Cadbury have said that this will generate income. This is not the case according to its own report. It is no wonder that the Labour Group have refused to have a discussion about this matter.
"In the current climate, it is ridiculous to proceed until they can demonstrate that this will not cost the taxpayer money.”
Councillor Ruth Cadbury, Deputy Leader of the Labour Group said:
“The Conservative Group have always been ideologically opposed to the Lampton Park
Conference Centre, and mothballed the building whilst they were in the Administration,
thereby denying the Council four years of income for letting out the venue. It is not
possible to put an exact amount on the money they have wasted in doing this, but it is fair
to say that the Council have lost revenue through the Conservative’s failure to use the
Conference Centre in the way it was intended.
The Lampton Park Conference Centre is the only venue in the Borough of Hounslow able
to seat up to 1,000 people, and it is ideally located because of excellent transport links
that makes it the perfect site for conferences, weddings, community events, celebrations,
and business and civic functions. It is also fully fitted out and equipped, and there have
been expressions of interest by both private and business users about it. Developers of
other sites in the Borough are considering incorporating a community facility in their
plans, and we already have a brilliant facility that is up and running
Not to market this building to maximise its use, and therefore its income, is a total waste
of taxpayer’s money, and we will do everything we can to ensure that the wonderful
venue is fully available for all residents of the Borough to use”
September 29, 2010