🎸 WHY I VOTED FOR THE TROPICANA PROPOSAL

There has rightly been a lot of attention over the past few days regarding the future of the Tropicana.

I voted to progress the work to explore this opportunity in more detail, because this allows us to start answering the ...'unknowns' that must be understood before a final decision is made.

The Tropicana has seen various false starts and false hopes over the years. In my view, rejecting this proposal before the detailed work is even finished would be shortsighted and could let a massive opportunity for Weston slip through our fingers.

What does this vote actually mean?

The recommendation was simply to move to the next stage and in principle award the lease to Live Nation subject to further decisions, which includes:

- Detailed design work
- A formal planning application (where noise management and travel plans will be scrutinised)
- More detailed financial planning

Councillors will then have a final vote around October on whether to fully commit.

This is a complex situation but could potentially be a great opportunity for Weston if done right.

Taking the time to scrutinise the details before the final 'go/no-go' in October is the most responsible way forward in my opinion.

🎸 TROPICANA: UPDATE PUBLISHED

At tonight's council meeting we'll be discussing the future of the Tropicana.

A new report has just been uploaded that changes the governance recommendations that councillors will be asked to vote on today.

Effectively, there ...will be additional decision points that councillors will be involved in - which is really important considering the balance between risk and opportunity, and level of scrutiny this requires.

Specifically the decision to borrow £millions will be pushed back to a future meeting and work will continue in the interim to identify ways to close the financial gap, and identify grants.

I'm paraphrasing, but councillors are in essence being asked to support the awarding of the lease to LiveNation (with various conditions that have to occur before this is final i.e planning application, decision on borrowing) and agree for more detailed work to happen and preparations for design and planning applications.

The is one change following negotiations and that is the has been an agreement in principle for a restoration levy to be applied to tickets sold which would bring in additional ring fenced income to support the maintenance of the structure for the next 25 years. This could bring in a further £100k per year to cover maintenance.

The trade off is the restoration levy will replace the previous agreement of a profit share arrangement.

The document is called Addendum B and you can read it here: https://n-somerset.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s8750/05.3%20Addendum%20B.pdf

📄 FULL COUNCIL AGENDA

Tomorrow (Tuesday) is North Somerset Council's full council meeting.

On the agenda is:

1️⃣ Tropicana Business Case
2️⃣ Appointment of cabinet members, chairman/women of the council etc
3️⃣ Outcomes of the West of England ...Combined Authority (WECA) consultation
4️⃣ Councillor question time

👉 Watch the meeting live on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbsdMdr-QCw

📄Read the papers: https://n-somerset.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=169&MId=1375

🌳 MALTLANDS PLAY AREA REFURBISHMENT

I know the Maltlands play area isn't the best it can be, and I've been making that point for a while.

I'm pleased to share that the procurement to refurbish the Maltlands has concluded and Weston-super-Mare Town Council will ...be sharing a sneak peak of the plans over the next few weeks.

Watch this space ⤵️

👍 A BIG WELL DONE TO EVERYONE WHO STOOD FOR ELECTION

Although there are no elections here in North Somerset (they are next year) I know how demanding it is standing for election in a local area.

Just over three years ago I was waiting at the count for my result - it is ...exciting and scary in equal measure.

Whatever your politics I think any one who has stood for this years election deserves some credit - it's a huge commitment and undertaking, you open yourself up to scrutiny (and abuse) and it hugely impacts your family and personal life. But people stand - like I did - because we want to make an impact on the communities we serve.

So fair play to all the candidates across the country, whatever your result and whatever your politics 👏👏👏