Pavilion restoration – PROGRESS

Following our meeting with the hierarchy at Bradford Council on Tuesday, 13th May, I can report the following

The Interim Assistant Director of Culture, Sport & Leisure gave an unreserved apology to members of the SPCG present for the failings of Bradford towards our Group in the past few months

From now on, the Assistant Director suggested that we hold a joint “Teams” meeting every two weeks to discuss progress and problems arising, in order that past situations and misunderstandings are not repeated.

All accepted this as being a very positive way forward.

On the very morning of this meeting, the Principal Parks Development Manager reported that final clearance had been given by all Bradford’s financial committees, etc, for the release of all the £210,000 of Section 106 monies for the restoration of the Pavilion. He confirmed that there were no more “hurdles” to be overcome, which is excellent news.

Some of you may have noticed that over the course of the past week that new windows and doors have been fitted to the Pavilion. Whilst this may not be the advisory and recognised sequence of events in any restoration works, it is accepted as being a step in the right direction and very welcome.

Bradford will arrange for a full and comprehensive building and structural survey of the Pavilion over the next few weeks. The findings of this survey will be forwarded to the SPCG for comment, etc.

It is also hopefully intended for Bradford to carry out repairs to the existing roof coverings, and the replacement of all the gutters and downpipes to produce a secure, watertight and stable building, rather than replace the whole of the roof coverings, before the cut-off date of September this year, for the completion of the Phase 1 works This will represent a substantial cost saving to the budget, and any of their works being wasted/changed when Phase 2 begins

Bradford and the SPCG are to examine all and any possible ways of “transferring” any savings from the Phase 1 works being carried out by Bradford, towards the Phase 2 works carried out by the SPCG, or its successor. This will hopefully be a substantial amount of money.

Obviously, as our vision for the Pavilion means altering the present building footprint marginally, planning permission will be required.

All in all, this was a very positive meeting, although it should have taken place much earlier in the proceedings, as we all agreed.

The first “Teams” meeting is scheduled to take place on the 29th May, followed by the next on the 12th June

On behalf of the Silsden Pavilion Community Group

Bob Davis
Chair