FOI request (FOIR-630826082)

Bale House, Hastings Country Park

Requested Mon 15 July 2024
Responded Tue 06 August 2024

I am writing in respect of the Bale House on the Hastings Country Park and matters raised by Fairlight residents.

Firstly, the agreement between Hastings Borough Council and Groundwork South. It has been reported in the local media that a ten-year agreement was signed and £20,000 a year will be paid by Groundwork for the first three years of services. After three years the Bale House would become 'cost neutral' to the Council and any profits generated under the terms of the agreement will remain with Groundwork.

If these statements are correct, the three-year period is now up and Groundwork is now responsible for all expenses of running the Bale House and will be required to generate income to recover the various costs including additional staff costs which will now be incurred to run the catering contract.

The concerns are that Groundwork will be placed under additional financial pressures to run more money-making events at or around the Bale House to make up for the ending of the 3-year subsidy and the ongoing costs of running and maintaining the Bale House.

Could you please confirm the terms of the contract were possible with Groundwork South. I would be grateful to know what the Bale House opening hours are, what type of events are permitted to be held and restrictions placed on these events, in respect of time, frequency, size of groups, and so on? Also, what if any are the restrictions for use of the immediate surrounding areas of the Bale House?

Residents are anxious that given the Bale House is managed by a third-party organisation and not a locally concerned group, profits will be put ahead of local interests. Also, there are apprehensions that the Bale House will be used for activities other than nature and environment such as parties, weddings, evening events, alcohol related events and out of hours disruptive events. Can you confirm that this type of event is not and will not be planned for the use of the Bale House and surrounding areas within the agreement with Groundwork.

Finally, could I enquire what future proofing is in place for the Bales House in respect of any restrictions placed on the usage, the proposed use of the Bale House if Groundwork withdraw from the agreement or after the ten-year agreement has lapsed? Is it proposed to continue the usage as a more localised project for the education of the children and adults or a commercial enterprise?

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Response

The Freedom of Information Act is based on recorded information held by a local authority, it is not a tool to ask questions.

Your request is simply asking questions and therefore falls outside the remit of the Act.