Concern voiced over Llan Pavilion's finances

* Llangollen Pavilion.

A Llangollen resident says Denbighshire County Council should consider changing the way it manages the town’s Pavilion arena and concert hall.

Alan Found has contacted llanblogger to say: “In April last year I made a Freedom of Information request in relation to the financial situation of The Pavilion. I thought it was about time I made these shocking numbers more widely known.

“The numbers are for the 11 months of the year when the facility is run by Denbighshire County Council. This does not include the one month a year when it is run extremely successfully by the Eisteddfod.

“In essence, from April 2011 to 2012 they projected a loss (or subsidy) of  £183,611 and for 2012 to 2013 a loss (or subsidy) of £159,611.

“Surely this facility should be a major contributor to the economy not a burden. We have the Town Hall for community usage – that is where subsidies should go.

“Every weekend of the year should see the Pavilion full and buzzing, providing jobs and making a major contribution to the Llangollen economy through hotel room, restaurant and shopping sales.

“The food festival is a fine example of what is possible - it made thousands of pounds for the town.

“How long will this scandal of such an expensive but underused asset be allowed to continue?

“It must be time for a fundamental change in how it is managed.”

Mr Found added: "This asset could undoubtedly be a major contributor to the local economy, and if the way DCC are managing the Pavilion isn't delivering this, they need to change their approach - no excuses."

Mr Found says the figures he obtained are:

Llangollen Pavilion Accounts
	Budget 2011/12 £	Forecasted Outrun £	Forecasted Variance £	Budget 2012/13
Costs
Staff costs	132,580	128,430	4,150	130,156
Premises	95,939	92,661	3, 278	89,096
Travelling	1,090	606	484	526
Supplies	36,934	34,563	2,731	8,474
Income	82,932	72,649	10,283	68,641
Loss (or subsidy)	- 183,611	- 183,611		- 159,611

 A spokeswoman for Denbighshire County Council said: "The council subsidises the pavilion as they do many other important assets. The subsidy to the pavilion has been reduced for the last two years.

“The venue was in a precarious position two years ago, until our department intervened, and improved the performance significantly, turning around a significant deficit position.

“The council net subsidy, as highlighted in the table below, has reduced by almost 30K and will continue to reduce in 2013 /14 by a further 25k.

“The programme continues to grow and develop, and has done for the last two financial years under our management.”