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author	ht
date	Tue, 02 Jun 2009 11:13:41 -0400
parents	c4b14e957e79
children	ca4ff55e05f8

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-thead.r th {text-align: left}</style><title>Report to Area Meeting from the Future of Victoria Terrace Working GroupDRAFT: contains contributions received through 31/5</title></head><body style="font-family: DejaVu Sans, Arial; background: rgb(254,250,246)">
+thead.r th {text-align: left}</style><title>Report to Area Meeting from the Future of Victoria Terrace Working GroupDRAFT: contains contributions received through 1/6</title></head><body style="font-family: DejaVu Sans, Arial; background: rgb(254,250,246)">
 <div style="text-align: center">
 <h1>Report to Area Meeting from the Future of Victoria Terrace Working Group</h1>
-<h1><span style="color: red">DRAFT: contains contributions received through 31/5</span></h1>
+<h1><span style="color: red">DRAFT: contains contributions received through 1/6</span></h1>
 <div class="byline">Alison Burnley, Madeleine Harding, Phil Lucas, Brian Mayes,
-Laurie Naumann,
+Laurie Naumann, Rufus Reade,
 Eileen Schott, Henry S. Thompson</div>
-<div class="byline">1 June 2009</div>
+<div class="byline">2 June 2009</div>
 </div>
-<div class="toc"><h1>Table of Contents</h1><ul class="naked"><li><h2>1.  <a href="#intro">Background and introduction: The remit of the working group</a></h2></li><li><h2>2.  <a href="#exec">Executive summary of work and conclusions</a></h2></li><li><h2>3.  <a href="#history">The past</a></h2></li><li><h2>4.  <a href="#present">The present</a></h2></li><li><h2>5.  <a href="#future">The future</a></h2></li><li><h2>6.  <a href="#appendices">Appendices</a></h2></li><li><h4>6.1.  <a href="#remit">Appendix A: Remit from Area Meeting</a></h4></li></ul></div><div id="intro">
+<div class="toc"><h1>Table of Contents</h1><ul class="naked"><li><h2>1.  <a href="#intro">Background and introduction: The remit of the working group</a></h2></li><li><h2>2.  <a href="#exec">Executive summary of work and conclusions</a></h2></li><li><h2>3.  <a href="#history">The past</a></h2></li><li><h2>4.  <a href="#present">The present</a></h2></li><li><h2>5.  <a href="#future">The future</a></h2></li><li><h2>6.  <a href="#appendices">Appendices</a></h2></li><li><h4>6.1.  <a href="#remit">Appendix A: Remit from Area Meeting</a></h4></li><li><h4>6.2.  <a href="#quests">Appendix B: Questionnaires for different user groups</a></h4></li><li><h4>6.3.  <a href="#open">Appendix C: Summary of contributions from open meetings</a></h4></li><li><h4>6.4.  <a href="#other">Appendix ?: What else?</a></h4></li></ul></div><div id="intro">
 <h2>1.  <a name="intro">Background and introduction: The remit of the working group</a></h2>
 <p>In August and October of 2008, South East Scotland Area Meeting
 "considered the history and prospects for the Quaker Meeting House at 7
 Victoria Terrace".  The end result was the creation of a "short-life working
 group", requested to report back to Area Meeting in June 2009.  The group
 <tr class="ti">
 <td><b>Exceptional Expenditures</b></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Redevelopment of Foyer</td>
-<td class="n">[6]</td><td class="t"/><td class="t"/><td class="t"/><td class="t">5.8</td><td class="t">34.7</td><td class="t">29.4</td><td class="t"/><td class="t"/><td class="t"/>
+<td class="n">[6]</td><td class="t"/><td class="t"/><td class="t"/><td class="t"/><td class="t"/><td class="t">5.8</td><td class="t">34.7</td><td class="t">29.4</td><td class="t"/><td class="t"/><td class="t"/>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>External Stonework</td>
-<td class="n">[7]</td><td class="t"/><td class="t"/><td class="t"/><td class="t"/><td class="t"/><td class="t"/><td class="t"/><td class="t"/><td class="t">29.7</td>
+<td class="n">[7]</td><td class="t"/><td class="t"/><td class="t"/><td class="t"/><td class="t"/><td class="t"/><td class="t"/><td class="t"/><td class="t"/><td class="t"/><td class="t">29.7</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Consultancy</td>
-<td class="n">[8]</td><td class="t"/><td class="t"/><td class="t"/><td class="t"/><td class="t"/><td class="t"/><td class="t"/><td class="t"/><td class="t">8.3</td>
+<td class="n">[8]</td><td class="t"/><td class="t"/><td class="t"/><td class="t"/><td class="t"/><td class="t"/><td class="t"/><td class="t"/><td class="t"/><td class="t"/><td class="t">8.3</td>
 </tr>
 <tr class="t">
 <td class="s">Total</td>
-<td/><td class="t"/><td class="t"/><td class="t"/><td class="t">5.8</td><td class="t">34.7</td><td class="t">29.4</td><td class="t"/><td class="t"/><td class="t">38.0</td>
+<td/><td class="t"/><td class="t"/><td class="t"/><td class="t"/><td class="t"/><td class="t">5.8</td><td class="t">34.7</td><td class="t">29.4</td><td class="t"/><td class="t"/><td class="t">38.0</td>
 </tr>
 </tbody>
 </table>
 <ol>
 <li>Staff costs relate to usage of the building, the changing roles of staff and increased remuneration.</li>
 </div>
 <div class="figure">
 <p>??? didn't get anything for this from Madeleine ???</p>
 <div class="caption">Figure 4. How long the lets were for and the number each week</div>
 </div>
+<p>In all there were 132 lets over this 6-week period.
+Costs will depend on size of group, length of time they needed space and which room(s) they rent. There is also a cost for refreshments, including tea, coffee and/or lunch.</p>
 <p>It was not possible to know from the non-Quaker groups how they rated the premises. However there were over thirty groups using the building which feels very positive.</p>
 <p>It is unclear if we should or could increase income by raising the letting rates. Trustees are aware the lettings levels have fallen, especially daytime use. A possible reason for this could be greater competition in the area for the level of provision we offer. Our letting charges are comparable with other churches/halls in the area.</p>
 <p>On the plus side it is an advantage having managers on site and we
 have a good informative website.</p>
 <p>At the end of the day the staff are not here to run a business but to be the face of Quakerism in Edinburgh.</p>
 to
 5.00 p.m.
 </li>
 </ul>
 <p>
-Several staff work flexibly to cover these periods.
+Several staff work flexibly to cover these periods: there is always someone at
+the front desk when the building is open.
 </p>
 <p>
 Reasons for reducing the opening hours : reducing costs- heating, lighting and staff cover and reducing wear and tear on the fabric of the building
 </p>
 <p>
-Reasons for not reducing opening hours: reduced lettings and reduced income,
+Reasons for not reducing opening hours: reduced lettings and reduced income, as
-</p>
+well as reduced facilities for Quakers and non-Quakers using the building and reduced opportunities for outreach.
-<p>
-reduced facilities for Quakers and non-Quakers using the building and reduced opportunities for outreach.
-</p>
-<p>
-Note - Lettings are down on previous years and staff costs are higher.
 </p>
 <p>
 Hospitality, information and outreach: the Meeting House is centrally located and attracts many visitors – reduced opening hours would limit contact with the public, it may affect bookings if enquiries are not answered in person (rather than on-line or by leaving a message on an answer-phone) and may reduce first-timers coming to Meeting for Worship.
 </p>
 <p>
-Other alternatives – all of which would reduce costs, reduce income and contact with the general public, visitors, newcomers and passers-by therefore reducing outreach opportunities.
+Other alternatives – all of which would reduce costs, reduce income and contact with the general public, visitors, newcomers and passers-by therefore reducing outreach opportunities:</p>
-</p>
 <ul>
 <li>
-Reduce activities to Quaker activities only – this would reduce opening hours and lettings and increase costs per capita.
+Reduce activities to Quaker activities only – this would reduce opening hours and lettings and increase costs per capita.</li>
-</li>
 <li>
 The Rain Forest Café - the café could go and/or drinks and snacks alone could be provided for visitors.
 </li>
 <li>
 The Meeting House as a Festival Venue – events/opening hours could be reduced and income would be reduced.
 <li>
 Reduce or cancel Christmas lunch and other social activities involving the preparation of food and serving of food and drink.
 </li>
 </ul>
 <p>
-It is clear from our initial consultations that radical changes would change the nature of the Meeting and affect the users of the building.
+It is clear from our initial consultations that any significant reduction in activity would change the feel of the Meeting and affect the users of the building.
 </p>
 </div>
 <div>
 <h4>Steady On</h4>
 <p>
 The meeting could continue to be open for Quaker and non-Quaker activities but we could look for savings and raise money to meet the cost of essential maintenance and upgrading of facilities.
 </p>
 <ul>
 <li>
-The kitchen does not meet Health and Safety standards to prepare and serve meat to the public. An alternative is to serve vegetarian food only and ask for donations from the public.
+The kitchen does not meet Health and Safety standards to prepare and serve meat
-</li>
+to the public. An alternative is to serve vegetarian food only and ask for
+donations from the public.  Trustees are actively exploring this area: the
+working group does not feel that the exact nature of the trade-offs between
+regulation, enforcement and kinds of use has yet been clearly established, so
+that an informed decision can be taken with respect to the kitchen in particular.</li>
 <li>
 We could plan for the future to include a schedule of works - upgrading basic facilities - the windows, toilets, heating and consider what is required to improve the layout of the rooms and food preparation facilities as they affect members of the meeting and lettings.
 </li>
 </ul>
-<p>
-The group looked at selling the building, renting premises and relocating to the outskirts of the city and these are not viable options.
-</p>
 </div>
 <div>
 <h4>Do More</h4>
 <p>
-The Quakers and non-Quakers who responded to our questionnaire and Worship Sharing sessions said they value the building, its central location and what is available in the Meeting House. Successive Meeting House Managers have continually improved the appearance of the Meeting House. Doing more in the Meeting House and with the Meeting House could include
+The Quakers and non-Quakers who responded to our questionnaire and Worship Sharing sessions said they value the building, its central location and what is available in the Meeting House. Successive Meeting House Managers have continually improved the appearance of the Meeting House. Doing more in the Meeting House and with the Meeting House could include:
 </p>
 <ul>
 <li>
 Offering more activities/learning opportunities on Quaker concerns to Quakers and non-Quakers
 </li>
 <h4>Leave Victoria Terrace</h4>
 <ul>
 <li>Own premises (build/refit/share)</li>
 <li>Hire premises (Sole tenant/share)</li>
 </ul>
-	  <p>One of the prime motivations for leaving Stafford Street was that though central it was not 'visible' to the public; it had no lettings of rooms, no display windows and no involvement in the Festival. These would therefore be looked for in any alternative</p>
+	  <p>One of the prime motivations for leaving Stafford Street was that though
-<p>premises.</p>
+central it was not 'visible' to the public; it had no lettings of rooms, no
+display windows and no involvement in the Festival. Whether these are wanted in
+any replacement should therefore be looked for in any candidate alternative premises.</p>
 <p>If we decide to sell Victoria Terrace in order to buy, lease or
-even share somewhere else it would probably be necessary to sell also the two flats. [see sections ]</p>
+even share somewhere else it would probably be necessary to sell also the
-<ol>
+two flats.  7 Victoria Terrace was valued at only £160,000 <i>before</i> the current slump
-<li>Minimum accommodation for our own use only would be:
+in property prices, at which time the two flats together were valued <span style="color: red">at ???</span></p>
-<ul>
+<p>We explored the cost of moving elsewhere.  Minimum accommodation for our own use only would be:</p>
+<ul>
 <li>1 Meeting Room</li>
 <li>1 Children's Room</li>
 <li>Library</li>
 <li>Kitchen (for heating up only)</li>
 <li>Lavatories</li>
-<li>Office (?)</li></ul></li>
+<li>Office (?)</li></ul>
-<li>Preferably, for our own needs and possible lettings or sharing,
+<p>Preferably, for our own needs and possible lettings or sharing,
-we would be looking for:
+we would be looking for:</p>
 <ul>
 <li>2 Meeting Rooms</li>
 <li>2 Children's Rooms</li>
 <li>Kitchen (for cooking)</li>
 <li>Library</li>
 <li>Lavatories</li>
 <li>2 Committee rooms</li>
 <li> Office</li>
-</ul></li>
+</ul>
-</ol>
 <p>A central location would be in the area bounded by High Street to Queen Street
 and Queensferry Street. to Leith Street.</p>
 <p>Alternatively, we might have more that one Meeting House to replace Victoria Terrace;
 this would mean no central Edinburgh Meeting. Possible areas would include
 Portobello, Trinity/Granton, Leith Walk/London Road or around Cameron Toll and the
 arrange mid-week or evening meetings, and have some say over publicity displays and
 lettings. We would wish to be in charge of lettings, including festival events
 such as poetry readings, plays, small musical events, and so on. We would not have a
 café, but might offer light refreshments and have an exhibition on walls other
 those of the Meeting Room.</p>
+<p>We carried out a survey of commercial property of a reasonable scale in
+and around the centre, and there was nothing available for under £250,000
+that was any where near large enough.  Finding <i>any</i> premises including one room of approximately 800
+square feet (the size of the current meeting room and of the hall) was itself
+difficult, and we found no premises with <i>two</i> such rooms.</p>
+<p>One possibility we are aware of but did not explore in detail is taking
+over, or sharing, other church premises.  There was some suggestion that for
+example the Methodist property off Nicholson Square might be, or be about to
+be, available.  It seemed at best unlikely that a move to such premises would
+result in a situation materially different from our current one.</p>
 </div>
 </div>
 <div>
 <h4>The Vision</h4>
 <p>What do we want: summary of options, from our discussions and open meetings</p>
 <h2>6.  <a name="appendices">Appendices</a></h2>
 <p>Material we've gathered (what do we keep back?)</p>
 <div id="remit">
 <h4>6.1.  <a name="remit">Appendix A: Remit from Area Meeting</a></h4>
 </div>
+<div id="quests">
+<h4>6.2.  <a name="quests">Appendix B: Questionnaires for different user groups</a></h4>
+</div>
+<div id="open">
+<h4>6.3.  <a name="open">Appendix C: Summary of contributions from open meetings</a></h4>
+</div>
+<div id="other">
+<h4>6.4.  <a name="other">Appendix ?: What else?</a></h4>
+</div>
 </div>
 </body></html>

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comparison 7vt/report.html @ 40:c6b7b5eced00