Todmorden Community College Pre-Feasibilty Report

TODMORDENCOMMUNITYCOLLEGE

Continueduseandalternativeproposals

APre-FeasibilityStudy

AReportby

Commissionedby

TodmordenCouncil

TODMORDENCOMMUNITYCOLLEGE

Continueduseandalternativeproposals

APre-FeasibilityStudy

AReportby

UpperCalderValleyRenaissance

TownHall,HebdenBridge,StGeorgesSt.HebdenBridge,WestYorkshire.

HX77BYTel01422417286

Email:[email protected]

January 2017

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CONTENTS

1 Foreword........................................................................................................................................2

2 ExecutiveSummary........................................................................................................................3

3 Introduction...................................................................................................................................8

4 Processandmethodology..............................................................................................................8

5 OverviewofTodmorden................................................................................................................9

6 Thecollege.....................................................................................................................................9

7 Theproposals...............................................................................................................................10

7.1 Surveyresults.......................................................................................................................10

7.2 AldiProposal.........................................................................................................................11

7.3 Continueduse......................................................................................................................11

7.4 Additionalproposals.............................................................................................................13

8 Thecombinedproposalsapproach..............................................................................................19

9 Governance..................................................................................................................................20

10 Thebuilding..............................................................................................................................22

11 Conclusions..............................................................................................................................23

12 Recommendations...................................................................................................................25

13 Appendices...............................................................................................................................26

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1 Foreword

TheUpperCalderValleyRenaissance(UCVR)hasalonghistoryofconsultingthecommunityontheirvisionsforthefutureoftheirbuiltenvironmentandcommunityaspirations.Manyofthoseconsultationsresultedinsignificantprojectsofregenerationalongthevalley.

WewereawarethatinthelastfewyearssomemembersofthecommunityhadconcernsaboutthedemiseofTodmordenCollege.AndwhenitwasannouncedthattheAldisupermarketchainhadproposedthat,forcommercialreasons,theywereinterestedtoacquirethecollegefordemolition,andhadofferedtoreplaceitwithasmallerunitconsistingofachildren’scentreandyouthfacility,wewereasked,asaneligibleorganisation,totakeoutan‘assetofcommunityvalue’listingonthecollege.Thiswouldhavetheeffectofimposingamoratoriumonthesaleoftheasset.Ourapproachhowever,wastodeferthatoptioninfavourofavoluntaryperiodtoallowfortheinterestedpartiesinthecommunitytoputforwardproposalsforcontinuedandalternativeusesofthebuilding.

Calderdalecouncil(viatheTodmordenDevelopmentBoard)agreedtoallowthreemonthsfortheUCVRtoconductapre-feasibilitystudyintotheproposalsbeingputforwardbyindividuals,communitygroupsandtheTownCouncil.WhilstthistimescalewaschallengingtheUCVRundertooktodotheresearchandproducethispre-feasibilityreport.

ThisexercisefortheUCVR,wasnota“SavetheCollegeCampaign”,thepurposeofthisresearchwastotrytoidentifyrealisticandviableoptionswhichhavethemostpotentialforgoingforwardtoafullbusinesscasefeasibilitystudy.ItwouldbethatstudywhichwoulddetermineiftheCollegebuildinghasafutureasacentralhubforthecommunitytocollectivelylearn,workandmeettogether.

WhatisclearfromourcommunityconsultationisthattheCommunityCollegehasaplaceintheheartsandmindsofmanyinthetownwhohaveexpressedanoverwhelmingdesiretoseeitcontinuetobeusedasaneducationalandtrainingassetinoneformoranother.Whatwehaveattemptedtooutlineinourreportis,howthatmightbeachievedfollowingfurtherresearchintothedemandandeconomicviabilityoftheoptionsproposedtous.

TheUCVRboardwouldliketothankbothCalderdaleandTodmordencouncilsforthejointfundingtoundertakethisstudy,andalsoallthosewhocontributedwithproposals,thosewhohelpedwiththedatacollectionandthosewhocontributedexpertisetokeysections.Wewouldparticularlyliketothankourprojectmanager,inthelimitedtimeallocatedtoher,forherdiligenceandresolveinencouragingallinterestedpartiestoclarifyandelaboratetheirproposals,andtoprovideavailablesupportinginformation.

ThechallengethatliesaheadfortheTodmordenDevelopmentboard,andultimatelyCalderdaleCouncilisthat,shouldtheyoptfortheshort-termcostsavingsandarelativelyquickdevelopment,retainingsomecommunityfacilities?Oristhereenoughinourreporttoconvincethem,thatthepeopleofTodmordencouldcommittoundertakethechallengeofdrawingupafullbusinesscaseforrunning/owning,refurbishinganddevelopingamuchlargercommunityasset,onewithalonger-termvision,whichcouldcontributetoanevengreatersenseofcommunityandprovidewidereconomicbenefitsforTodmorden?

StephenCurry,Chair,UpperCalderValleyRenaissance

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2 ExecutiveSummary

CalderdaleCouncilownTodmordenCommunityCollegewhichisnowunderutilisedandrunningatalossofapproximately£165kperannum.ThecouncilisconsideringacommercialsectorofferfromthesupermarketchainAlditopurchaseanddemolishthecollege.ChildrenandYouthprovisions,whicharecurrentlyhousedinthecollege,wouldbeincorporatedintothesupermarketdevelopmentaspurposebuiltfreestandingbuilding.Itisanticipatedthatthisnewbuildingcouldhavearunningcostof£65kgivingthecouncila£100ksavingperannum.

However,therewerequestionsfromsomecommunitygroupsandtheTownCouncilastowhytheCollegeisnotviableanylongerandifnewcommunityledinitiativescouldreviveitsfortunes,andkeepitasacommunityrunasset.

UpperCalderValleyRenaissance(UCVR)wascommissionedtoundertakethispre-feasibilitystudyexploringvariousoptionsforthefutureofthecollege.

Inadditiontoconductinginterviewsandcarryingoutdeskresearch,thelocalcommunitywasconsultedbymeansofasurvey,bothon-lineandpaper.

TheproposalsThefollowingpotentialoptionsproposedandresearchedwere:

• Continuedusefor:o Adulteducationo Children’sCentreo YouthFacilitieso TownCouncilOfficeso Adviceserviceso Floodstoragehub

• Additionalproposals:o Educationandtrainingfor16s+o BusinessIncubationandEnterpriseCentreo DigitalMediaCentreo Commercialofficespaceo VisitorAccommodationo Theatre/rehearsalspaceo Communitymeetingrooms

SurveyresultsAshortonlineandpapersurveywasdistributedtokeyorganisationsandareasinthetown.ThesurveylistedthemainsuggestionswhichhadbeenmadefortheuseofTodmordenCollege.

Thesurveywasdesignedtoascertainthelocalcommunity’spotentialsupportforthedifferentproposals,includingdemolishingthecollegeandbuildingalargerAldi.Thefiguresobtainedfromthesurveyshouldviewedasnomorethananindicationofpreferencebythecommunitybasedontheoutlineproposals.

522validreplieswerereceived.Ofthese,only64(12%)wereinfavouroftheAldioffer.79%ofrespondentswouldliketoseeeducationalopportunitiesofferedatthecollege,77%communitymeetingrooms,55%workspace,47%residentialcoursesand32%visitoraccommodation.

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AdulteducationCurrently,freeMathsandEnglishcoursesforadultsovertheageof19arerunatthecollegebutthesearenotwellattended.Introducingnew,andsupportingthecurrent,AdultEducationclassesatTodmordenCommunityCollegewouldaidCalderdaleinachievingtheaimsofitsAdultLearningStrategicPlan2016-19tocreatea:

“StrongerLocalCommunitybystrengtheninglocalcommunities’abilitytoaccesslearningandemployment,reducingsocialisolationandimprovingemotionalhealthandwellbeing”.Intheprocessofinterviewingforthisreportanumberoforganisationsandindividualshaveofferedtheirteachingservices.

Children’sCentreTheassumptionisthatthiswillcontinuetobehousedon-site.YouthFacilitiesTheassumptionisthatthiswillcontinuetobehousedon-site,butcouldbedevelopedtointegratetoacertaindegreewiththeproposalforeducationfor16+s.TownCouncilOfficesDiscussionsarecurrentlyunderwaytodecidewhethertohousetheTownCouncilOfficesintheTownHall.

AdviceServicesCalderdaleOfficershavesuggestedthatCustomerFirstcouldmovetothelibraryorTownHall.

TheCABface-to-faceoperationismovingtotheHealthCentre.ThefutureofthecallcentreisdependentonagrantapplicationandwillbeascertainedinMarch.

FamilyservicesIftheUpperValleyFamilySupportunitcouldnolongerbehousedonthecollegesite,Calderdaleofficershavesuggestedthattheycouldmovetothelibrary,TownHallortheHealthCentre.

FloodstoragehubWearenotawareofanyplansforanalternativehomeforthefloodstoragehub.Thiswouldneedtobeconsideredinanyscenario.

Educationandtrainingfor16s+ThisproposalisforthecollegetobecomeTodmordenTechnicalCollege,anadvancedskillsinnovationcentreforpracticaleducationandresearchinAgroecologyandNaturalBuilding.Insupportofthis,learningindigitalandcreativemedia,andbusinessandaccountancy,wouldbeofferedsothatstudentsareabletogainadditionalemploymentskills.

Thecollegewouldalsoofferarangeofservicesprovidinglearningtothelocalarea.Thefocuswouldbeonpractical,vocationalandexperientiallearning,formalapprenticeshipsinvolvinglocalorganisations,andsupporttoencouragegraduatesfromthecollegetostarttheirownenterprises.

Someofthespaceinthecollegecouldalsobeconvertedtobasicaccommodationforthosestudentsstudyingonshort/mediumtermresidentialcourses.

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BusinessIncubationandEnterpriseCentreABusinessIncubationUnitwouldaimtoprovidesmalltomediumsizedbusinesses(SMEs)andstart-upswithasupportiveandnurturingpeergroupenvironmenttoallowthemtothriveintheearlyvulnerableyears.Arangeofsupportwouldbeofferedincluding:mentoring,expertadvice,lowrentalspacewithshortcontractsanddirectaccesstofinancialinstitutions.

DigitalMediaCentreThisproposalwastosetupthecollegeasacentrefortraining16+sinthedigitalandmediafields.

InitialresearchindicatedthattheBBC,andothersignificantsponsors,wouldnotbepreparedtoinvestinthisproposal.

However,trainingindigital/mediacouldbeofferedaspartofthepackageofcoursesofferedto16+s.TheManchesterCreativeStudiohasexpressedinterestinrunningcoursesinTodmorden.

CommercialworkspaceThisproposalisforcommercialworkspacetobeofferedinavarietyofforms.Therewouldbeavarietyofmanagedworkspaces,bothforofficesandworkshopspaceforpracticalstart-upbusinesses,suchas:

• Ownspace• Sharedspace• Hotdesking

Theleaseswouldbeflexible,dependingontherequirementsofthetenants.

Roomswouldbeavailableformeetings,seminars,trainingeventsandconferences.

VisitorAccommodationTodmordenwouldliketoexpanditstourismoffer.Ourresearchshowsthatthereisashortageofovernightaccommodation,particularlyinthelow-costrange(under£50).Thisproposalconsiderstransformingpartofthecollegeintovisitoraccommodation.ThiscouldberunasaSocialEnterpriseHotel,offeringtrainingtoapprenticesinthehospitalitytrade.

Theatre/rehearsalspaceTheresearchdidnotindicatethatthereisaneedforthecollegetoprovideatheatreorrehearsalspace.

CommunitymeetingroomsThisproposalisforavarietyofsizedmeetingroomsthatcouldbeusedbybusinesses,tenantsinthebuildingandalsothelocalcommunity.Theywouldbeavailableattheweekendsandintheeveningsaswellasduringnormalworkinghours.ThecombinedproposalsapproachInthecourseofthisstudyithasbecomeapparentthatacombinationofsomeoralloftheindividualproposalswouldseemtopresentaviablefutureforTodmordenCommunityCollege.Ahybridcommunityenterpriseapproachnotonlyoffersavarietyofopportunitiestothecommunitybutalsospreadsthefinancialandcommercialrisks.

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Thecollegeisideallysituatedtoserveboththelocalcommunityandthosetravellingintothetown.ItcouldbecometheTodmordenCommunityHub,hostingnotonlytheTechnicalCollege,butalsoAdultEducationclasses,aBusinessIncubatorUnit,flexibleworkspacesandcommunitymeetingrooms.Thecurrenttenantscouldcontinuetooperateinthebuilding.On-sitevisitoraccommodationwouldincreasethenumberofresidentialcoursesonofferandalsohelpboostthelocaleconomybyenablingmorevisitorstostayovernight.

GovernanceTheproposedownershipoftheassetwillhaveimplicationsonthegovernanceofanyneworganisationwhichtakesonresponsibilityforitsmanagement:

RetainedbyCalderdaleandleased–Communitycouldconveneaseparatemanagementteamtoleadit.Thiscouldbefromanexistingorganisationoranewgroupcouldbeformed.Thelatterwouldtaketimeandrequiremoreefforttosatisfytheauthority’sdiligenceneeds.

Calderdaleassettransferstheproperty-Anexistinglocalorganisationwouldbeabletotakeitonsubjecttothepowerstheyhavemandatedintheirgoverningdocuments.Anewgroupwouldhavesomelimitations.

Asindicatedinthisreportsignificantinvestmentwillberequiredinordertodevelopthebuildingforfutureusesifassettransferred.Giventhelikelytimescalesassociatedwithraisingsuchinvestments,andthatthediligencerequirementsoffundingbodiesatthelevelbeingtargeted,itwouldbedifficultforanewlyformedorganisationtosatisfy,theaboveidentifiedoption.Anexistinggrouppartneringwiththeauthoritymightbemostprudent.

Thelegalstructureoftheorganisationthatultimatelycomestoholdtitlefor,andmanages,thebuilding,needstolegallyprotecttheprimarysocialpurposeofbenefittingthewidercommunityofTodmorden,beabletotrade(chargerentals,hirefeesetc.)andhaveabilitytoraiseinvestmentandfinanceinthefuture.

Againstthisaboveschedule,thereareanumberoflegalformsthatwouldfittherequirements:CommunityCo-operativeSociety,Charity(charitablecompanyorCharitableIncorporatedOrganisation,CommunityInterestCompany(limitedbyGuarantee)orCompanyLimitedbyGuaranteewithCharitablestatus.

Anybody,neworexisting,willneedtoassureitselfandothersofitscapability.BenchmarkingitselfagainstbothnationaloccupationalstandardsforCharityTrustees,aswellasrelevantsectorgovernancecodesshouldbeconsidered.

ThebuildingCalderdaleprovidedabuildingsconditionreportwhichgivesanoverallcategorisationoftheconditionasbeing‘satisfactory’.Ourarchitectconfirmedthatthebuildingappearstobeingoodconditionandrepair.

Tokeepthebuildinginitscurrentstatethetotalcostoverthenext10yearsestimatedbyCalderdaleis£761k.

Currentlytherunningrepairsareapproximately£26kpa.Giventhisfigureforthenext10yearsbringsthetotalto£1.02m.

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Thecurrentgasandelectricityannualcoststotal£33k.

Ourarchitectconsidersthatthe3storeyandthereception/venueelementsarecapableofreasonablelongtermuse.Thesinglestoreyworkshopareaislessusefulasacandidateforconversionandhavingahighrooftowallratiowillbemorecostlyinproportiontoupgrade.Withtheworkshopblockremovednaturaldaylightwouldpenetratetheinteriorspacesandcreateadouble-aspectrangeofbuildingswhichwouldlikelymakethemmoreflexibleinuse.Inaddition,openingupthissouthernaspectwouldcreatetheopportunitytoharnesssolarambientenergybytheuseofglazingandthermalmass,andwouldalsolenditselftotheincorporationofrenewableenergysourcessuchasphotovoltaicandthermalheatingpanels.

Ifthebuildingweretoberenovated,remodelledtohouseteachingrooms,communityrooms,workspace,communalspaceandvisitoraccommodationandmadefitforpurposeforthetwentyfirstcentury,thearchitect’sestimateisfortheworkisupto£4m.Thisgeneralfigureissubjecttoaveragesandapproximationsindicatedinthearchitect’sreport,anddoesnotconsiderthesubsequentsavingsonrunningrepairsandutilitieswhichwouldreduceconsiderably.

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3 IntroductionInthecurrenteconomicclimatethereisanongoingneedforCalderdaleCounciltoreduceitsoutgoings.TheyownTodmordenCommunityCollegewhichhashad,andstillhas,varioususesbutisnowunderutilisedandisrunningatalossofapproximately£165kperannum.ThecouncilisconsideringacommercialsectorofferfromthesupermarketchainAlditopurchaseanddemolishthecollege.

However,therewerequestionsfromsomecommunitygroupsandtheTownCouncilastowhytheCollegeisnotviableanylongerandifnewcommunityledinitiativescouldreviveitsfortunes,andkeepitasacommunityrunasset.

UpperCalderValleyRenaissance(UCVR)proposedtotheTodmordenDevelopmentBoardthatUCVRundertakeapre-feasibilitystudyexploringalternativeoptionsforthefutureofthecollege.TheBoardagreedwiththisproposal.ThestudyhasbeenfundedbyanequalcontributionfromboththeTownCouncilandCalderdaleCouncil.

Thisstudyaimstoassessifthecommunityledideashavethepotentialtobeviableenoughtobedevelopedintoafullbusinesscase,individuallyorcollectively.

ObjectivesThestudyaimstoaddressthreemainelements:

• Potentiallyviableandcompatibleusesofthesite.• Assessmentofthebuilding’sstructure,maintenanceandpotentialrefurbishment(fitfor

purpose).• Ownership,managementandgovernanceofsuchacommunityasset.

4 ProcessandmethodologyOnOctober4th2016TodmordenDevelopmentBoardagreedthatUCVRshouldundertakeapre-feasibilitystudyexploringallalternativeoptionsandthatthiswouldbefundedbyanequalcontributionfromboththeTownCouncilandCalderdaleCouncil.ThereportistobepresentedattheBoardmeetingonJanuary10th2017.

KatherineWackerbarthwasappointedProjectManagerandshecommencedon13thOctober2016.Additionalresearcherswerealsorecruited.HawdonRussellArchitects,werecommissionedtoestimatebuildingrenovationcosts.

TodmordenTownCouncilsetupaworkingpartywhichfirstmeton27thOctober.

Informationoneachoptionwasrequestedfromthoseindividualsorgroupswhohadproposedalternativeusesforthecollege.

TheProjectManagerandtheresearcherseithermetorhadaphonecallwiththeindividualsandgroupstoresearchalltheoptionsandgatherbackgroundinformationonallaspectsofthisstudy.Furtherdeskworkwasalsoundertaken.

Thelocalcommunitywereconsultedbymeansofasurvey,bothon-lineandpaper.

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SurveyAshortonlineandpapersurveywasdistributedtokeyorganisationsandareasinthetown.Inordertocaptureavarietyofindividualsthesurveycardsweredistributedatthestation,market,TouristInformationOfficeandthecollege.Theon-lineversionwaspromotedinthelocalpaperandonsocialmedia.ThesurveylistedallthesuggestionswhichhadbeenmadefortheuseofTodmordenCollege.

ShouldafullFeasibilityStudybecarriedoutfollowingthisreport,amorein-depthsurveyshouldbeundertakentodeterminewhether,andhowmuch,thecommunitywouldusethecollegeifitwererevitalised.

5 OverviewofTodmordenTodmordenhasrecentlybeenrecognisedasoneofthebestthreetownsintheUKattheannualAcademyofUrbanism’sawardsceremonyinLondon.Todmordenwascitedas“anexampleofwhatcommunity-ledinitiatives,energyandenthusiasmcanachieve”,anditwasformallyrecognisedthat“IncredibleEdiblehasbecomepartofanewidentity”forthetown.

Economicallyandsociallytherearesomeareasofconcernaccordingtothe‘VitalSigns’reportpublishedin2015.Theseincludelongtermunemployment,academicattainmentatGCSE,deprivation(forexample,28%ofchildreninTodmordenarelivinginpoverty)andhealthissues.

TownPlanTodmorden’sTownPlanwasadoptedinAugust2013.Thisputforwardaseriesofrecommendationswhichhavebeenincorporatedintotherelevantsectionsinthisreport.

NeighbourhoodplanThisisplannedtobecompletebySummer2017.Itisaholisticoverviewdevelopedbythecommunityofhowthetownshouldbedeveloped.Discussiononthefutureofthecollege,asakeysite,willbeincludedinthefirstconsultationinJanuary.

TodmordenHighSixthFormThefutureofthesixthformiscurrentlyunderdiscussionanditisnotyetknownwhethertheHighSchoolwillcontinuetohaveasixthform.

6 ThecollegeTodmordenCommunityCollegeopenedin1955asaTechnicalCollege.Manyofthelocalresidentslearnedtheirtradethere.AdultEducationclasseswerealsoverybusy.Inthe1990sitbecameathrivingArtCollegeprovidingclassesandeducationuptodegreelevelfornumerousstudentsofallabilitiesandagesthroughouttheCalderValley,manyofwhomarenowpracticingartists.

Thecollegeinallitsguiseshasbeenverypopularandourresearchindicatesmanypeoplewouldliketoseeitrevitalised.

TransportandTravellinksInadditiontoon-siteparking,thecollegeisverywellsituatedforboththebusstation(withbusestoBurnley,RochdaleandHalifax)andtherailstation.TrainsruntoLeedsandManchester,withcurrent

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traveltimesofunder30minutestoManchesterandapproximately1hr20minwith1changetoManchesterAirport.Theplansfornewservicestocommencebetween2017and2019includeanextraserviceperhourtoManchesterVictoriabringingthefastserviceto3timesperhour.AllManchesterserviceswillbeextendedwestwardsthroughVictoriaandwillrunthroughtoManchesterPiccadilly,ManchesterAirportandLiverpool.

7 TheproposalsThefollowingpotentialoptionsproposedandresearchedwere:

• Continuedusefor:o Adulteducationo Children’sCentreo YouthFacilitieso TownCouncilOfficeso Adviceserviceso Floodstoragehub

• Additionalproposals:o Educationandtrainingfor16s+o BusinessIncubationandEnterpriseCentreo DigitalMediaCentreo Commercialofficespaceo VisitorAccommodationo Theatre/rehearsalspaceo Communitymeetingrooms

7.1 SurveyresultsThesurveywasdesignedtoascertainthelocalcommunity’spotentialsupportforthedifferentproposals,includingdemolishingthecollegeandbuildingalargerAldi(seeAppendixA).Thefiguresobtainedfromthesurveyshouldbeviewedasnomorethananindicationofpreferencebythecommunity,basedontheoutlineproposals.

50%ofthe522validatedresultswerefromon-lineresponses.Cardswerecompletedatthecollege,themarket,theTouristInformationOfficeandthestation.Themajorityofrespondents(84%)donotwantthecollegetobedemolished.

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Ascanbeseen,79%ofrespondentswouldliketoseeeducationalopportunitiesofferedatthecollege,77%communitymeetingrooms,55%workspace,47%residentialcoursesand32%visitoraccommodation.

7.2 AldiProposalOuraccesstoinformationontheprecisenatureAldi’sproposalhasbeenlimitedtothatderivedfromdiscussionswithCalderdale’sassetmanagementteam,whoarepreparingtheirowncomprehensivereportforthedevelopmentboard.Wecanthereforeonlypointtothebasicprosandconsoftheirproposalhere.

Aldiproposetoacquirethecollegefordemolition,andhaveofferedtoreplaceitwithachildren’scentreandyouthfacilitywhichwouldbeincorporatedintothedevelopmentinapurposebuiltfreestandingbuilding.ItisanticipatedbyCalderdalecouncilthatthisnewbuildingcouldhavearunningcostof£65kgivingthecouncila£100ksavingperannum,withadditionalbusinessrateincome.StatedadvantagestoAldioftheacquisitionaretoprovidemorelandforthenewsupermarkettoprovidemoreconvenientandsaferaccessforgoodsvehicles,40additionalcar-parkingbaysandenhancedlandscaping.

7.3 ContinueduseTheassumptionisthatallcurrenttenantsandservicescouldremaininthecollege.However,discussionsaretakingplacetodeterminealternativelocationsforsometenants.

AdultEducationAnumberofyearsagothecollegewasabusythrivinghub.ManypeopleattendedArtclassesandtherewasalsoafullprogrammeofAdultEducationclassessuchascookery,exerciseandmodernlanguageconversation.

79%

79%

47%

55%

77%

32%

2%

2%

13%

12%

4%

22%

3%

3%

19%

10%

1%

23%

15%

17%

21%

23%

18%

23%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

POST 1 6 L EARN ING , I NC LUD ING APPR ENT I C E SH I P S ?

ADUL T AND FAM I L Y L EARN ING COURSE S ?

R E S IDENT IA L COURSE S ?

O F F I C E S /WORKSPAC E ?

COMMUN IT Y MEET ING ROOMS?

V I S I TOR AC COMMODAT ION?

PREFERENCESFORALTERNATIVEUSESOFTODMORDENCOLLEGE

(522SURVEYRESPONSES)

Yes No Don'tKnow LeftBlank

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Currently,freeMathsandEnglishcoursesforadultsovertheageof19arerunatthecollege.However,despitehavinggoodteachingfacilitiesinthebuildingthetutorhasdifficultygettingsufficientpeoplecomingforwardtomakethesecoursesviable.ThisispartlybecausepeopledonotknowtherearefreeclassesinMathsandEnglishrunatthecollege;theclassesarenotsufficientlywelladvertised.IntroducingnewandsupportingthecurrentAdultEducationclassesatTodmordenCommunityCollegewouldaidCalderdaleinachievingtheobjectivesofitsAdultLearningStrategicPlan2016-191whichrecognisesthatAdultLearninghelpstoachieve:

• Higherratesofemploymentandbetterjobs• Higherproductivityforastrongerlocaleconomy• Equalityandinclusionformoresocialjustice• Activecitizensandhealthycommunities

TheWorkers’EducationalAssociation(WEA)offeravarietyofcourseswhicheithercost£70for21hoursorarefreetostudentsreceivingmeanstestedbenefits.TheycurrentlydonotrunanycoursesinTodmorden,althoughtheyhavedonesointhepast.Thelocalbranch(UpperCalderValleyandHalifax)iskeentobuildupprovisioninTodmorden,eitherbyroomrental(althoughhistoricallygettingtherequiredminimum12studentshasbeenabarrier)orbybiddingwithacommunitygroupforfundingtodeliveroutreachworkforhard-to-reachpeople.

Intheprocessofinterviewingforthisreportanumberoforganisationsandindividualshaveofferedtheirteachingservices.

Inadditiontosupportingthelocalcommunity,avibrantprogrammeofAdultLearningclasseswouldattractstudentsfromfurtherafield.

Children’sCentreThisiscurrentlyoutsourcedbyCalderdaletoHalifaxOpportunityTrust(HOT).Theassumptionisthatthiswillcontinuetobehousedon-site,soatthisstagenodiscussionshavetakenplacewiththemanagersorstaffofthecentre.YouthFacilitiesTheyouthservicescaterforthe11-19yearoldagegroup.Thefacilitiesareopenmosteveningsand,anecdotally,arepopular.

Theassumptionisthatthefacilitieswillcontinuetobehousedon-site.Likewise,nodiscussionshavetakenplacewiththemanagersorstaffofthecentre.However,giventhatoneoftheproposalsiseducationfor16+s,andthattheTownPlanrecognisesthatworkshouldbedoneonraisingtheaspirationsofyoungpeopleinthetown,itishopedthatthiscouldintegratewiththecurrentservices.Therearecharitiesandorganisations,suchastheLornaYoungTrust,whorunprojectstohelpprepareyoungpeopleforemployment.

1(www.calderdale.gov.uk/v2/sites/default/files/Calderdale_adult_learning_plan.pdf)

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TownCouncilOfficesDiscussionsarecurrentlyunderwaytodecidewhethertohousetheTownCouncilofficesintheTownHall.

AdviceServicesCalderdaleofficershavesuggestedthatCustomerFirstcouldmovetothelibraryorTownHall.

TheCABface-to-faceoperationismovingtotheHealthCentre.ThefutureofthecallcentreisdependentonagrantapplicationandwillbeascertainedinMarch.

FamilyservicesUpperValleyFamilySupportisalsorunbyHOT.Iftheycouldnolongerbehousedonthecollegesite,Calderdaleofficershavesuggestedthattheycouldmovetothelibrary,TownHallortheHealthCentre.

FloodstoragehubWeareunawareofanyplansforanalternativehomeforthefloodstoragehub.Thiswouldneedtobeconsideredinanyscenario.

7.4 Additionalproposals

7.4.1 Educationandtrainingfor16+sTodmordenTechnicalCollegeasanadvancedskillsinnovationcentre

TheTownplanstatesthatrespondentswereveryconcernedaboutthelackofjobopportunitiesinthetown,particularlyforyoungpeople,andrequestedthattheTownCouncillookatwaystoimprovethesituation.Manyofthebusinessesquestionedwerehappytooffermentoring,workexperienceandapprenticeshipstolocalpeopleandthisisanareawhichneedstobeinvestigatedfurther.Thefollowingproposaloffersasolutiontothis.

Todmordenisknowninternationallyforitsvisionforsustainablefoodgrowingasavehiclefordevelopingcommunitycoherence.Itisalsothehomeofaninternationallyknowninnovativeapproachtosustainablenaturalbuilding.ThesetwocentresofexpertiseareuniquetoTodmordenandformthestartingpointforthedevelopmentofanadvancedskillsinnovationcentrefortheLeedsCityRegion,basedintheformerTodmordenCommunityCollege.

Theproposalisforpracticaleducation,andresearch,inAgroecologyandNaturalBuilding,contributingtoourscientificknowledgeoffoodsecurityandsustainableproductioninaworldconsideringclimate-change,andourtechnologicalunderstandingoffloodresilienceinthenaturalandbuiltenvironments.

Theframeworkfor16+coursesproducedbyDrCharlieClutterbuckiscurrentlyunderwaywithatargettohavesomecoursesreadybySpring2017.Courseswouldinclude:

a. Sustainablelandandsoilmaintenanceb. Sustainablesmallscalegrowingandfarmingc. Permacultured. Beekeepinge. Smallscalewindandsolarpowerinstallation

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Withtheprovisionofsuitablefoodpreparationandkitchenfacilities:f. Dairyprocessingg. Meatprocessingh. Cookingandfoodpreparationinparticularforlocallygrownproducts

SubjectscoveredbytheSchoolofNaturalBuildingwouldbewithintheNaturalBuildingandHeritageSkillssectorincludingstrawbalebuilding,limeandclayplastering,limepointing,coppicing,hurdlemaking,drystonewallingetc.

Insupportofthis,learningindigitalandcreativemedia,andbusinessandaccountancywouldbeofferedsothatstudentsareabletogainadditionalemploymentskills.

AFreeSchool,eitheraStudioSchooloraUniversityTechnicalCollege(UTC)(fordefinitionseeAppendixB)couldbesetuptodelivertheeducationfor16+s.IfitweretobeaUTCtheUniversitiestobeapproachedtosponsorthecollegewouldincludeCoventryandDurhamwhooperate,orhavelinks,intheAgroecologyfield.

Thecollegecouldalsoofferarangeofservicesprovidinglearningtothelocalarea.Thefocuswouldbeonpractical,vocationalandexperientiallearning,andformalapprenticeshipsinvolvinglocalorganisations,andwithsupporttoencouragegraduatesfromthecollegetostarttheirownenterprises.

Thebuildingwouldprovideabaseforapprenticestodotheircollege-basedstudy,bothacademicandpractical.

Someofthespaceinthecollegecouldalsobeconvertedtobasicaccommodationforthosestudentsstudyingonshort/mediumtermresidentialcourses.

ItisenvisionedthattheproposedTodmordenTechnicalCollegewouldformthemeanstoengenderaspirationandprogressionofappropriatetechnicaleducationinthewesternendoftheLeedsCityRegion,andprovidetheessentialskillsandindustrialstrategyforthearea.

DemandTheSchoolofNaturalBuildingisestablishedandfacingincreasingdemand.ThereiscleardemandforspecialistlandandfoodbasedcoursesasshownbyvisitorstotheIncredibleFarmandIncredibleEdibleTodmorden(IET).TheIncredibleFarmisbeginningtofaceademandbeyonditscapacitytosupply;applicationstolearnonthefarmareinexcessofplaces.The‘vegetabletourism’asaresultofthenationalandinternationalpresenceofIETshowsagrowinginterestinthisfield.Apermanentbaseforsuchlearningactivitieswouldbeideal.

ThefutureofthesixthformatTodmordenHighSchoolisuncertain,asarethesixthformsofotherCalderdaleschools.Giventime,thecasecouldbemadethatTodmordenTechnicalCollegewouldincreasetheopportunitiesforstudentstostudyvocationalcourseslocally.

Asmentioned,therearenowAgroecologydepartmentsinUniversities,e.g.Coventry,butthereappearstobenoprovisionforeducationatalowerlevel.

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FundingEarlyindicationsshowthatchannelsoffundingmaybeavailablefromthePowertoChangeprogrammeforprojectsrelatingtoassettransfers.

SpecificeducationalfundingmightbesoughtunderlegislationwhichmayapplytoFEcollegesundertheactrelatingtoacademiesandfreeschools.

ThereexiststhepossibilityofEuropeanfunding.Freeschoolfundingiscurrentlyavailable.Enterprisestart-upfundingisavailable.TheGovernmenthasrecentlyannouncedthroughtheDepartmentofBusiness,Energy,andIndustrialStrategy(whosebriefincludesclimatechange)£2bninsupportofresearchanddevelopmentbytheendofthisParliament.Thelikelihoodofsuchfundingbeingofferedcanonlybeassessedatafeasibilitystage.

7.4.2 BusinessIncubationandEnterpriseCentreTheTownPlanhighlightedthedesireforattractingthedevelopmentofsmallandmicroenterprises.

Over90%ofourlocaleconomyismadeupofsmalltomediumsizedbusinesses(SMEs);theyarethesourceofthevastmajorityofjobs.Recovery,growthandsustainabilityofourlocaleconomypost-recessionandfloodswillrelyonthissectorofbusinessbeingsupported,particularlystart-ups.

• ThemajorityofnewUKbusinessesdon’tlastmorethan5years• 90%ofstart-upsfailwithin4years• 25%ofnewbusinessesfailinthefirstyear

Thebusinesspressandacademicresearchpresentaplethoraofstatisticsandpredictionsasabove.But,whatevertherealfigures,whatisuniversallyacceptedisthatstartinganewbusinesswithoutsupportandadvicedrasticallylowersthechancesofsurvivingtheearlyyears.ABusinessincubatorisanorganizationdesignedtoacceleratethegrowthandsuccessofentrepreneurialcompaniesthroughanarrayofbusinesssupportresourcesandservicesthatcouldincludephysicalspace,capital,coaching,commonservices,andnetworkingconnections.

BusinessIncubationUnitsaimtoprovideSMEsandstart-upswithasupportiveandnurturingpeergroupenvironmenttoallowthemtothriveinthoseearlyvulnerableyears.Theyofferarangeofsupportincluding:mentoring,expertadvice,lowrentalspacewithshortcontractsandtheycanalsoprovidedirectaccesstofinancialinstitutions.

DemandCalderdaleandtheUCVRarecurrentlyworkingonajointbusinesssupportprogrammeforthenext2-3years.HavingalocalincubationunittorefernewbusinessventurestowouldsupportthisinitiativeandTodmorden’seconomicgrowthwellbeyondthatperiod.

Theincubationunitwoulddovetailwiththerangeofeducationalandtrainingoffersoutlinedwithinthisreport.

FundingThebusinessincubatorschemewhichisbeingsetupinHalifaxbyLeedsBeckettUniversityhasanumberofkeypartnersincludingLeedsCityCouncil,LeedsBeckettUniversity,CalderdaleCouncil,West&NorthYorkshireChamberofCommerceandhasbeensetupwiththehelpofEuropean(ERDF)funding.WhetherEuropeanfundingwillstillbeavailableisnotknownbutanaffiliationwith

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auniversitywouldraisetheprofileoftheproject.TheTodmordenBusinessIncubatorcouldbeasatellitehubfortheprojectinHalifaxorbesetupinpartnershipwith,forexample,CalderdaleCollege.Alsodependingonthestructureofthebusinessthatrunsthecollege,e.g.socialenterprise,CIC,charityetc.,othersourcesofpotentialfundingcouldbeaccessedatBigPotential,PowertoChangeorKeyFund.

FundsandsupportforSMEsareavailablefromavarietyofsourcessuchasUnltd,LEP,Finpoint,AiredaleEnterpriseBusinessEnterpriseFundandNationalBusinessSupportHelpline.

ExamplesofbusinessincubatorshelpingyoungentrepreneursareBusinessLaunchpad(London)andLaunch22(Liverpool).

TheGovernment’sEnterpriseAllowanceprogrammealsosupportspeopletogettheirbusinessesupandrunning.

7.4.3 Digital/mediaTheproposalwastosetupthecollegeasacentrefortraining16+sinthedigitalandmediafields.

However,theinitialresearchindicatedthatastheBBCisnowconcentratingonBirminghamasitshubforalldigitalplatformsandyoungpeopleapprenticeships,itisunlikelythatthiscompany,orothersignificantsponsors,wouldbepreparedtoinvestinthisproposal.

Nevertheless,trainingindigital/mediacouldbeofferedaspartofthepackageofcoursesofferedto16+s.TheManchesterCreativeStudio(aStudioSchoolthatopenedinSeptember2014)hasexpressedinterestinrunningcoursesinTodmorden.

7.4.4 Commercialoffice/workspaceTheTownPlanstatedthatTodmordenshouldaimtoattractandpromotethedevelopmentofsmallandmicroenterprisesandthatitneedsmanagedworkspace,providingoffice,workshopandsharedfacilities.

Thisproposalisforcommercialworkspacetobeofferedinavarietyofforms.Meetingroomswouldbemadeavailable,theaimbeingtocreateahubforlocalbusinessesandcommunitygroups.Therewouldalsobespacefortrainingeventsandconferences.Cateringisanoptiontobeconsidered,however,researchshowsthatthisisahighriskoptionincommunitybuildings.

Itisenvisagedthattherewouldbeavarietyofmanagedworkspaces,bothforofficesandworkshopspaceforpracticalstart-upbusinesses,suchas:

• Ownspace• Sharedspace• Hotdesking

Suchleasesarenormallyflexible,dependingontherequirementsofthetenants.Short-termleaseoptionsaswellaslong-termoptionsandleaseswithbreakclausesthatcanbetriggereddependingonthebusiness’circumstancesatthattimewouldbeofferedsothatifabusinessneedstomoveintobiggerorsmallerpremises,orneedstoclosethebusiness,theycandosowithouttakingahugefinancialhit.

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Differentsizesofunitswouldberequired,withagoodofferofsmallspaces.Unitsthataremulti-functionalarealsoindemand(i.e.unitsthathaveofficespaceandworkshopspace,orunitswhichcanbeeasilyconvertedintoofficeorworkshopspace).

Ideallytheunitscouldbealteredinsize(i.e.moveablewallsorunitswhichcanbemergedandde-merged)so,whereabusinessneedsmorespacetoaccommodatetheirgrowth,theycanexpandtheirpremisesorifabusinessneedstodownsize,theirunitcouldbesplit.

Spaceformeetingroomsandconferencescouldalsobefacilitated.

DemandAnecdotalevidencesuggeststhatthereisalackofofficespaceinTodmordenandwhenitdoesbecomeavailableitgetstakenquitequickly.Ourresearchshowsthatthecurrentspaceisinarangeofdifferentbuildingswithsomecompaniesrentingspaceacrossanumberofsites.Ifonespacecouldbemadeavailablewithanumberofunits,thiswouldbeanattractiveoptionforacompanythatiscurrentlyspreadoveranumberofsites.

TherearealsoasignificantnumberofmicrobusinessesbasedinTodmorden,whicharehome-based.Abusinessandcommunityhubbasedatthecollegewouldencouragehomeworkerstohotdeskinitiallyandthenrentspaceonamorepermanentbasis.Itwouldalsoallowthemtonetworkwithotherbusinessesandnotworkinisolation.ThishasbeentheexperienceattheTownHall,HebdenBridge.

FundingIfitwasrunasacommunitybasedbusiness,forthecommunity,withprofitsbeingre-invested,thisschemewouldbeabletoattractfundingfromthelikesofthePowertoChange.

7.4.5 VisitoraccommodationOneoftheareasthatTodmordenwouldliketoexpandisitstourismoffer.However,asidentifiedintheTownPlanandechoedbyotherfeasibilitystudiesandreports2,thereisashortageofovernightaccommodationinthetown.

Thisproposalconsiderstransformingpartofthecollegeintovisitoraccommodation.ThiscouldberunasaSocialEnterpriseHotel,supportingthecostoftrainingapprenticesinthehospitalitytrade.

DemandInadditiontothesurvey,extensiveresearchwasundertakentoestablishthecurrentsupplyanddemand.Thisreportsummarisesthefindings.

TourismisgrowingacrossCalderdaleasawhole,3withovernightstaysincreasingby4%between2014and2015.ThereisageneralperceptionthattheoutlookforTodmorden’stouristeconomyispositiveandthatthereisscopeforgrowthasoneofCalderdale’sculturaldestinations4.

In2010,acomprehensivehotelfuturesstudywascarriedoutacrossCalderdale5whichidentifiedscopeforasmallindependenthotelinTodmorden.

2UpperCalderValleyTourismActionPlanSpring2005,CalderdaleHotelFutures2010,BriefingPapertoTodmordenTownHallDevelopmentBoard20163TheEconomicImpactofTourismonCalderdale2014and20154CalderdaleTourismStrategy2015-18

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Aswellasthelocalfestivals,musicgigsandtheatreperformances,thelocalmarketsandTodmorden’sgrowingreputationasafoodandsustainabilityhubarealsocontributingtotheincreaseindayvisitsandovernightstays.Thereareseveralweddingvenues(bothfortheceremonyandthereception)inandclosetoTodmorden.Findingaccommodationforguestsisanissueforallvenuesandpeopletendtospreadupanddownthevalley.Severalofthevenuesarelookingtoexpandthenumberofweddingstheyhost,butlackofaccommodationintownhasbeenamajorbarriertoachievingthis.ThelargestemployerintheareaisWeirMinerals,whowelcomeguestsandemployeesfromallovertheworld.Weir’stravelbookingrepresentativewasclearthatextraaccommodationwouldbeveryusefultoaccommodatethe100–250employeesandclientsvisitingpermonth.InadditiontoWeirthereareothersmalleremployerswhoneedaccommodationlocally.

AmountofaccommodationandavailabilityThereare39doubleand21singlebedsavailableinTodmorden.

Acheckofavailability/occupancyshowedaclearindicationoflowavailabilityacrossaccommodationtypes.Whilstthedemandislowerduringtheweek,weekendsareverypopular.

InterviewswerecarriedoutwithorganisationsmostlikelytoreceiveenquiriesaboutvisitoraccommodationinTodmorden.TheseincludedTodmorden’sexistinghotelandbedandbreakfasts,weddingvenues,visitorinformation,foodandmusicvenues.ThemajorityofthosespokentogavestrongconfirmationthatmorevisitoraccommodationwasneededinTodmorden.

Thevisitornumbersasawholeshowaseasonaltrendofrisingvisitsthroughoutthesummerandwinterwithasharpdrop-offinspringandasmallerdropinautumn.Occupancyratesforaccommodationfollowthispatternandthisislikelytobethecaseforanynewprovisioninthearea.

CostofaccommodationThereisverylittlelow-costaccommodationavailableinTodmordenforsingletravellersandsmallgroups.Thevastmajorityofbedsavailable(74%)areinthemid-rangecategory(£50-£100)andincludeanen-suite.Therewasnoprovisionadvertisedinthe£30to£50range.

7.4.6 Theatre/RehearsalspaceNo-oneweinterviewedexpressedanyperceivedneedforthecollegetoprovidearehearsalspace.Nogroupshavecomeforwardsayingtheyareunhappywiththespacestheycurrentlyuse.TheHippodromehas4rehearsalspacesandrentalfromtheseiscoretotheirincome.

7.4.7 CommunitymeetingroomsWhilstroomsarecurrentlyavailableforrental,theprocedureisnotstraightforwardasitisorganisedbyCalderdaleratherthanbythestaffonsite.Theroomsbecomemoreexpensiveoutofnormalworkinghoursasstaffarepaidovertime.Somemembersofthelocalcommunitydonotrealisethatthecollegestilloffersrooms;othersarediscouragedbytheactualorperceiveddifficultiesandexpenseinrenting.Mostpeopleinterviewedfeltthatthecollegeshouldcontinuetoofferroomsthatcouldbeusedforbothcommunityandcommercialmeetings.ThiswasalsorecognisedintheTownPlan.

5CalderdaleHotelFutures2010p.5

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Avarietyofsizedmeetingroomsthatcouldbeusedbothforbusinessesandthelocalcommunitywouldbeonoffer.UsingtheTownHallHebdenBridgeasamodel,thecommunityhirerateswouldbe50-75%ofthecommercialrates,dependingonroomsize(thelargertheroomthegreaterthediscount).Thelayoutoftheroomsandtheirfurnitureshouldallowformaximumflexibilityinroomuse.

Theroomsshouldbeavailableintheeveningsandweekends.

Anecdotallylargerooms,suchasthehall,aredifficulttolet,butifflexiblewallsonaslidingtrackwereintroducedthensmallerbreakoutroomscouldbecreatedthusincreasingthelikelihoodofoccupancy.However,sportsgroupsorclubs,suchasTaekwondo,requireahallandalsoU3Awouldpotentiallybeinterestedinhiringalargeroomforsomeoftheirmeetings.Thechildren’scentreandyouthclubcurrentlyusethe‘half’hallforsportsandplayactivitiesandthereforemightcontinuetodoso.

ThereareanumberofcommunitygroupsinTodmordenandalsonewprojectscommencingsuchasthenewmentalhealthscheme.HealthyMindsinconjunctionwiththeStayingWellprojectwillbelaunchinganewschemeinTodmordenintheNewYear.ThiswillincludethedevelopmentoftheworkofHealthyMindspeersupportgroupsandanopportunityformicro-commissioningactivitiesthroughtheStayingWellproject.ThisisspecifictoTodmordenandwillinalllikelihoodmeananincreaseorexpansionofexcitingcommunitybasedactivitieswhichinturnmaybelookingforadditionalaccommodationincommunitybuildings.

WhilsttherearecommunityroomsattheHealthCentretheseareonlyusedtohostgroupsthatbenefithealth.Theyareonlyopenduringweekdayworkinghours.

DemandInadditiontothesurvey,theanecdotalfeedbackforcommunitymeetingroomshasbeenpositive.AllcommunitygroupsandclassteacherswouldbecontactedduringaFeasibilitystudytoascertainactualdemand.Amoredetailedpublicsurveywouldalsobeundertaken.Theformationofnewgroupsorclasseswantingmeetingspacescouldnotbedetermined,butanestimatecouldbemade.

8 Thecombinedproposalsapproach

InthecourseofthisstudyithasbecomeapparentthatacombinationofsomeoralloftheindividualproposalswouldseemtopresentaviablefutureforTodmordenCommunityCollege.Ahybridcommunityenterpriseapproachnotonlyoffersavarietyofopportunitiestothecommunitybutalsospreadsthefinancialandcommercialrisks.

Todmordenshouldbuilduponitsnationalandinternationalreputationasacentreofknowledgeforsustainablefoodgrowing.GiventhedebateoverfoodsecurityasaresultofBrexit,thisfieldofresearchandtrainingisgainingahigherprofile.Complementingthiswithtraininginaninnovativeapproachtosustainablenaturalbuilding,strengthensthetown’sidentitywhichcouldattractfunding,studentsandvisitorsfromaroundtheworld.

Thecollegeisideallysituatedtoserveboththelocalcommunityandthosetravellingintothetown.ItcouldbecometheTodmordenCommunityHub,hostingnotonlytheTechnicalCollege,butalso

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AdultEducationclasses,BusinessIncubatorUnit,flexibleworkspacesandcommunitymeetingrooms.Thecurrenttenantscouldcontinuetooperateinthebuildingwiththechildren’scentreaddingincentivestobusinessesrentingspacewiththeinsitunurseryfacilitiesandtheyouthservicesintegratingwiththecollegetohelptrainyoungpeopleinemployabilityskills.On-sitevisitoraccommodationwouldincreasethenumberofresidentialcoursesonofferandalsohelpboostthelocaleconomybyenablingmorevisitorstostayovernight.

Courseswouldbeavailableforarangeofstudents.LocalyoungpeoplewouldbestudyingaswellasvisitorsfromaroundBritainandoverseas.Studentswouldstudypracticalsubjects,learningfromandworkingwithlocalorganisationsandemployers.Someofthecoursesforthelocalstudentswouldbeapprenticeshiptype.Theon-siteaccommodationcouldberunasaSocialEnterpriseschemeofferingtrainingintheserviceindustry.

Forthosestudents,andanyotherpeople,wantingtosetuptheirownbusiness,supportwouldbeofferedintheBusinessIncubationCentre.Flexibleofficeandworkspacewithinthecollegewouldbeavailabletomoveinto.Meetingroomsandcommunalspaceswouldbeusedforformalandinformalmeetings,conferencesandseminars.

Thecollegewouldalsobeaplaceforthelocalcommunitytomeetinformally,holdmoreformalmeetingsandconductsocialgatherings.AnextendedAdultEducationofferingwouldbeofsocialandeconomicbenefit.

Theavailabilityofacombinationofteaching,workshop,conferencespacescombinedwithaccommodationwouldalsoappealtoorganisationslookingtohostevents.Forexample,theHandmadeParade(FestivalofLights)couldbeinapositiontohostanationalsymposiumandresidentialtrainingcoursesfrom2017onwardswhichwillrequireaccommodationandteachingspace,aswellasconferencefacilitiesinTodmorden.

ThisproposalwouldsupportCalderdale’sstrategicaimtocreatea:

“StrongerLocalCommunitybystrengtheninglocalcommunities’abilitytoaccesslearningandemployment,reducingsocialisolationandimprovingemotionalhealthandwellbeing”.

9 GovernanceInthissectionweaddresstheprincipleoptionsforhowTodmordenCommunityCollege,asalocalresourcehubforthetownandsurroundingarea,mightbegovernedandledtoensureitssustainabilityinbotheconomicandsocialinclusion,andbenefitterms.

Theproposedownershipoftheassetwouldhaveimplicationsonthegovernanceoftheneworganisationwhotakesonresponsibilityforitsmanagement.

If,forexample,Calderdaleretaintitletoitandleaseittothecommunity,thenanexistingorganisationcouldtakeontheleaseandconveneaseparatemanagementteamtoleadit.Thismightbetheleastcomplexoptiontopursue,asitoffersthemostflexibilityandwouldalsoenabletheauthority’sdiligencerequirementstobemoreeasilysatisfiedthroughtheleasebeingheldbyanexistingorganisation.Alternatively,anewgroupcouldbeformed,butthiswouldtaketimeandrequiremoreefforttosatisfytheauthority’sdiligenceneeds.

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IfCalderdalewerepreparedtotransferthetitleoftheproperty,thenanyexistinglocalgroupwouldneedtoshowevidenceofthepowerstheyhavemandatedintheirrespectivegoverningdocumentstoallowthemtotakeontheasset.

Asindicatedinthisreportsignificantinvestmentwillberequiredinordertodevelopthebuildingforfutureusesifassettransferred.Giventhelikelytimescalesassociatedwithraisingsuchinvestments,andthatthediligencerequirementsoffundingbodiesatthelevelbeingtargeted,itwouldbedifficultforanewlyformedorganisationtosatisfytheabovecriteria.Anexistinggrouppartneringwiththeauthoritymightbethemostpracticalandrealisticoption.

Inconsideringthelikelyfutureneedsforanyorganisationthatmightultimatelycometoholdtitlefor,andmanage,thebuilding,anumberoffactorsareassumedwhichthefuturelegalstructureitadoptsneedstosatisfy:

• AbilitytoentrenchandlegallyprotectaprimarysocialpurposeofbenefittingthewidercommunityofTodmorden

• Abilitytotrade(chargerentals,hirefees,andsuchlike)• Beabletolimitpersonalriskonthepartofindividualstakingresponsibilityforleadingthe

group• Flexibilityoverabilitytoraiseinvestmentandfinanceinthefuture

Againstthisaboveschedule,thereareanumberoflegalformoptionsthatwouldallowthesetobemanifested:

• CommunityCo-operativeSociety:thiswouldoffertheabilityforawiderformalMembershiptothegroup,andsodeepenitsaccountabilitytothecommunity.Itcouldalsoallowforfutureinvestmenttoberaisedintheformofcommunityshares,andcouldapplyforcharitabletaxstatuswithoutneedingtobesubjecttocharitylegislation

• Charity(charitablecompanyorCharitableIncorporatedOrganisation).Thisisthetraditionalformgroupstakeoninsuchcircumstancesasitisafamiliar‘brand’andabletoeasilysatisfydiligencerequirementsassociatedwithassettransfers

• CommunityInterestCompany(limitedbyGuarantee).Aswithacharity,thesearesubjecttostatutoryprotectionofassetsforsocialpurpose.However,theyaremoreflexibleintheirgovernanceinallowingforBoardmemberstoalsobeemployed(somethingmuchhardertoarrangewithinaCharity),butinnothavinglegalcharitablestatuscannotapproachasmanygrantmakingbodies,norapplyforanystatutoryraterelief.

• CompanyLimitedbyGuaranteewithcharitablestatus.Atraditionalformofcompanywhichcantakeadvantageofthetaxadvantagesofbeingacharity.

Aspartofassuringitselfandothersofitscapability,thegoverningbodymightcommititselftoundertaketorecruitandbenchmarkitselfagainstbothnationaloccupationalstandardsforCharityTrustees,aswellasrelevantsectorGovernanceCodes(foreithercharities,Co-operatives,orCommunityInterestCompanies).

Whateverlegalformisadopted,thereareoptionstocreateadditionalstakeholderforumsandmembershipgroupswithinittoensurethatdifferentusersofthebuilding,andothergroupswithinthewidercommunity,areabletohaveanongoingvoiceandrepresentationinthebuilding’smanagementandleadership.

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10 ThebuildingCalderdaleprovidedbuildingsconditionreportwhichgivesanoverallcategorisationofconditionasbeingsatisfactory.Thisisconfirmedbyourownbuildingsurveyseebelow.

Thecollegeisfullyaccessibleandwasnotsignificantlyaffectedbythefloodingin2015.

CurrentcostsTokeepthebuildinginitscurrentstatethecostsestimatedbyCalderdaleare:

• Essentialworkwithin2years£15k• Desirableworkwithin3-5years£134k• Longtermwork£362k• Asbestoswork£250k

Thistotals£761k.

Therunningrepairsareapproximately£26kpa.Giventhisfigureforthenext10yearsbringsthetotalto£1.02m.

Gasandelectricityannualcoststotal£33k.

BuildingreportandcostsofimprovementsInadditiontoreferringtodocumentsproducedbyandforCalderdale,ourarchitectconductedawalk-throughinspectionofthebuilding.Hewasunabletoaccesstheroofsforcloseinspection,butweareinformedbyCalderdaleofficersthattheyarecurrentlyingoodcondition.Furtherinspectionduringafeasibilitystudywouldbeundertakenusinganelevatedworkplatformoraccesstower.

PlanThearchitect’splanisshowninAppendixC.Theplandoesn’tnecessarilyreflectthefinalcombinedproposal,asthebriefwasgivenearlyintheprocessinorderforthebuildingreporttobecompletedintime.

BuildingreportandrecommendationsBelowisasummaryofthereport:

• Thebuildingappearstobeingoodconditionandrepair.• The3storeyandthereception/venueelementsarecapableofreasonablelongtermuse.

Thesinglestoreyworkshopareaislessusefulasacandidateforconversionandhavingahighrooftowallratiowillbemorecostlyinproportiontoupgrade.Withtheworkshopblockremovednaturaldaylightwouldpenetratetheinteriorspacesandcreateadouble-aspectrangeofbuildingswhichcouldgivethemamoreflexibleusage.Inaddition,openingupthissouthernaspectwouldcreatetheopportunitytoharnesssolarambientenergybytheuseofglazingandthermalmass,andwouldalsolenditselftotheincorporationofrenewableenergysourcessuchasphotovoltaicandthermalheatingpanels.

• Thermalupgradetothefabricshouldbeapriorityinanydevelopmentprogramme.• Asbestosreportsshowsomeareasofmanagedasbestos,i.e.,notjudgedtobeariskbut

monitoredonanannualbasisandnorrequiringremovalunlessthebuildingistobealtered.

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• Thefirstandsecondfloorscouldbeconvertedtobasichoteluse,possiblysharingdiningandkitchenarrangementswithotheruses.ThegroundflooraccommodationonQueensStreet,coupledwiththe“released”accommodationnowfacingsouthacrossnewopenspacecouldprovideforahostofindividualuses,thevenuewingcouldbereturnedtosomethingsimilartoitsoriginallayoutandthenewopenareaonthesouthsidecouldbecomeasignificantcommunitygarden.

Ifthebuildingweretoberenovated,remodelledtohouseteachingrooms,communityrooms,workspace,communalspaceandvisitoraccommodationandmadefitforpurposeforthetwentyfirstcentury,i.e.fabricupgradeandalargeamountoffittingout,thearchitect’sestimateisfortheworkis£4m.

11 ConclusionsThereisnodoubtthatbyraisingthepossibilityofrealisticandviablealternativeproposalsfortheretentionofTodmordenCommunityCollege,andweighingthosepossibilitiesagainstthatofanassetcostsavingexercise,withsomeretentionofcurrentservices,Calderdalecouncilhasadifficultdecisiontomake.

ThatdecisionwouldbemoredifficulthadtherebeenthethreatofAldinotbuildingastoreweretheyunabletosecurethecollegesite.However,weunderstandthatthereisnoindicationthatAldiwillnotbuildthestoreontheircurrentsiteforwhichtheyalreadyhaveplanningpermission,orthatnotobtainingthecollegeforanexpandedstorewillaffectthatplangoingahead.ItiswithinthiscontextthatwefeelCalderdaleshouldconsideralltheoptions.

OurassessmentoftheAldiproposalislimitedasitisbasedoninformationimpartedtousviaCalderdaleofficerswhohavebeenindiscussionswithAldiabouttheirproposal.ThereareclearsavingsCalderdalecanmakefromthesaleofthecollegeandtherearepresumablycommercialadvantagestoAldi.Anysavingsareofcourseworthyofconsideration.However,thisdoesnottakeintoaccountthatfinanciallossesareinpartduetoincomelostduetotheunderutilisationofthecollege.Aldi’sproposaltobuildbothaChildren’sandYouthcentreonthesiteseemsgenerousbutconsiderationshouldbeaffordedtothelossofalagerassetwhichourreportindicatesstillhaspotentialformuchwidercommunityusagethanthatwhichAldiproposetoreplace.

Ourcommunityconsultationexercisefocussedmainlyonasurveydesignedtogainageneralfeelforsupportofthemainproposalsputforward.Wealsointerviewedmembersofvariouscommunityorganisationsinthetown.Fromthis,andthedegreetowhichwehavequestionedandreviewedtheproposals,itisclearthatrespondentsgavevaryingbutwidesupportforallthecommunityledproposalsandlittlefortheAldi/Demolitionoption.Generally,itcouldbesaidthatthecommunityproposalscontainmorepotentialthanmighthavebeenoriginallyperceived.ThereisthereforeastrongcaseforinvestigatingfurthertheretentionanddevelopmentofAdultEducation,16+specificdisciplineswithinatechnicalcollegestatus,andintroducinganinnovativeandinspiringenvironmentalcurriculum.

Whilstthedigitalmediaproposaldidnotprovetobeaviableorsupportedoptionasamainstayoftheoverallusageofthecollege,itdoeshoweverhavethepossibilityofintegrationwiththewidercurricular.

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Ourstudyquoteslocalauthoritypolicydocumentswhichwebelievesupporttheneedforfurtherresearchintothefeasibilityoftheeducationalproposals,notleastCalderdale’sownAdultLearningStrategicPlan2016-19andtheaspirationsstatedwithintheTodmordenTownPlan.

TheBusinessIncubationUnitproposalissomethingtheUCVRwoulddeclareaninterestin.WewouldcertainlywanttoincludethisinanyfurtherstudyandbelieveitwouldfitwithourcurrentjointeconomicrecoveryprojectwiththeCalderdalebusinessteam.

Therewasnoofficialdataavailableonworkshoporofficespaceavailableinthetown,butplentyofanecdotalsuggestionsfrombusinessesandindividualsthattherewasorcouldbedemandforaffordablerentedspaceinsomesortofbusinesshub,akintothatonofferintheTownHall,HebdenBridge.CombinedwiththeinclusionofaBusinessIncubationUnittherecouldwellbeademandcreatedbytheofferofacentralcollaborativeworkingspace.

Ourresearchshowsademandforcommunitymeetingroomsofvarioussizesandthatthisisoneareawherethebuildingiscurrentlylosingincome.

Therearecurrentlynoreasonswhytheyouthservicesandchildren’scentrecan’tberetainedintheexistingbuilding.

Whilsttheproposalforvisitoraccommodationwaslesssupportedinthegeneralsurveyitprovedtobetheproposalwhichgeneratedthemostcommerciallyviableevidenceforittobeasustainablelong-termbusinesselement.Togetherwiththis,thepotentialforresidentialcourseswouldmakethisaproposalworthyofmoretimeforafullbusinesscasestudy.

Combinedwiththebuilding’sconditioninformationwehavereceivedfromCalderdale,ourownbuildingssurveyleadsustobelievethatthebuildingcouldprobablyberefurbishedtoalevelthatwouldmakeitfitforanyofthepurposesproposedinthisreport.Onceagainthismeanswefeelthisisworthyoffurtherinvestigationtoconfirmthisandobtainmoreaccuratecosts.

Whowouldmanagethebuildingandhowarequestionsthatcan’tbeansweredhere.Ourexpertadviceistoadoptalegalstructuresuitablefortheoutcomesofanyfurtherstudyonhowthemostviableoptionscouldbeintegratedunderoneroof.However,thecommunitywouldneedtobeencouragedtothinkaboutthisandthatisaprocessthatmustbegininlinewithafullfeasibilitystudy.Whatisclearisanysuchmanagementgroupwillrequireawideskillsetandlong-termcommitmentaswellaspassion.

Fundingofanyoftheproposalswouldneedindividualassessment.Thereweresomeencouragingsignsthattheeducationalelementsmighthavefundingresourcestodrawon.Thebuildingrefurbishmentitselfwouldlikelybesubjecttoamixofcommunityprojectorsocialinvestmentgrants,withsocialinvestmentloans.Butonlybycompilingaviableandfullbusinesscasecouldthoseoptionsberealised.

Ultimatelywehavetoconclude,thatthereisenoughevidenceinourfindingstoindicatethatthereisadesireinthetownamongstgroupsandindividualstoseethecollegerevitalisedandofferingwidercommunitybenefitsthanitdoescurrentlyordidinthepast.

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12 RecommendationsFromtheresearchconductedforthisreportandtheconclusionsthatwehaveoutlined,wefeelitisclearthattherearesolidgroundsforustorecommendthatthecommunityofTodmordenbeaffordedtheopportunitytodevelopafullbusinesscaseforapartnershipbasedrevitalisationoftheCommunityCollege.WeoutlinethebasicconsiderationsrequiredfordevelopingthisbusinesscaseinAppendixD.

TherearefewcommunityresourcesleftinthetownandthelossofsuchasitetocreateadditionalsupermarketfloorspaceshouldbeconsideredwithinthecontextofanopportunitylostforthecommunitytotakeresponsibilityforanassetbeyondthecurrentresourcecapabilityofCalderdalecouncil.WethereforerecommendthatCalderdaleCouncilsupportthecommunity,astheyhavedoneelsewhereintheborough,totakeonsuchresponsibility.

ThecollegeandsiteasanassetcanneverbereplacedandwewouldexpecttheNeighbourhoodPlantoidentifythisasakeysite.WehavetheexpertisewithintheCalderValleytoundertakethechallengesofassettransfersandwewouldrecommendthatCalderdaleassistthecommunityintakingthisstudytothenextstageofafullbusinesscasewithaviewtosuchatransfer.

Inpreparationforsuchastudywerecommendthatallproposerslooktoformasinglesteeringgroupsothattherecanbemeaningfuldialoguefromanearlystage.However,weadvisethatthisgroupconsiderthecautionsoutlinedinthegovernancesectionofthisreport.

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13 AppendicesAppendixASurveyquestions

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AppendixBDefinitions

Studioschools

Studioschoolsaresmallschools-usuallywitharound300pupils-deliveringmainstreamqualificationsthroughproject-basedlearning.Thismeansworkinginrealisticsituationsaswellaslearningacademicsubjects.

Studentsworkwithlocalemployersandapersonalcoach,andfollowacurriculumdesignedtogivethemtheskillsandqualificationstheyneedinwork,ortotakeupfurthereducation.

StudioSchoolsseektoaddressthegrowinggapbetweentheskillsandknowledgethatyoungpeoplerequiretosucceed,andthosethatthecurrenteducationsystemprovides.StudioSchoolspioneeraboldnewapproachtolearningwhichincludesteachingthroughenterpriseprojectsandrealwork.Thisapproachensuresstudents'learninginisrootedintherealworldandhelpsthemtodeveloptheskillstheyneedtoflourishinlife.

UniversityTechnicalColleges(UTCs)

UTCsareacademiesfor14to19yearolds.EachUTCissponsoredbyanemployerandauniversityandspecialisesinoneortwotechnicalcurriculumareasandteachthesesubjectsalongwithbusinessandITskills.Theyfocusonprovidingtechnicaleducationthatmeetstheneedsofindustrybyofferingtechnicalcoursesandwork-relatedlearning,combinedwithcoreacademicstudies,whichleadsyoungpeopleintoemployment,anapprenticeshiporfurther/highereducation.EachUTCisbackedbyemployersandalocaluniversitywhoworkwithstafftodevelopacurriculumthatgivesstudentsfirst-handexperienceofwhatlifeislikeafterschool.EachUTCoffersaround600places;theyaresub-regionalandtheircatchmentareamayextendacrossanumberoflocalauthorities.

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AppendixCArchitect’sFloorPlanAnalysis

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AppendixDQuestionsforfurtherresearchFurtherresearch,includingdetailedsurveystodetermineactualdemand,shouldbecarriedoutoneachoftheproposals.Examplesofmostoftheoptionsareknownandthesewouldbeusedtobuildabusinesscase.

Anyissuesshouldbecarefullyconsidered.Forexample,doyoungpeopleprefertostudyinacollegethatisdedicatedto16+education,ratherthanamulti-purposebuilding?

ThefollowingaresomekeyquestionswhichshouldalsobecoveredinafullFeasibilityStudy,thislistisnotexhaustive:

• Aretheseproposalscompatible?• Aretheyfeasibleandfinanciallyviable?• Whatistheminimum,maximumandoptimumsizeintermsofbothspaceandincomefor

eachoftheproposalsanddothesecomplementeachother?• Aretheylikelytofulfilafutureneedaswellasacurrentneed?• Willanyoftheproposalsbeincompetitionwithotherexistingorplannedprojects?• Whowillruntheproject?• Howlongwillittake?• Howwillthebuildingberun?• Whowillrunthebuildingintheshort,mediumandlongterm?• Howwillsuccessionplanningbedone?• ThefeasibilityreportfortheTownHall,HebdenBridgewasbasedonseveralpiecesof

researchthathadbeenundertakenby,forexample,YorkshireForward.Thisinformationwascollatedbeforethefinancialcrashof2008andisthereforenotconsideredtobeup-to-date.Theexistenceofsimilarup-to-datereportsshouldbeinvestigatedandutilised.

• Willtherebeanyanchortenantse.g.Council–localandward?• CanTodmordenbepromotedasapotentiallocationforaBusinessIncubatorandoffice

space?• Willtherebehighspeedbroadband?

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AppendixEAcknowledgementsTodmordenandCalderdaleCouncilsForjointfundingthisprojectTodmordenCouncilWorkingParty:ForcompilingtheinformationontheeducationalproposalsandassistingwithsurveydistributionIncredibleFarm:FortheirproposalonAgroecologycoursesSchoolofNaturalBuildingFortheirproposalontechnicalcoursesHawdonRussellArchitectsForprovidingthebuildingsurveyandspatialdrawingsCalderdaleCouncil-CorporateAssetandFacilitiesManagement Forprovidingbuildingsconditioninformation,runningandmaintenancecostsandAldiproposalbackgroundinformation.AdrianAshton-Communitysectorgovernanceconsultant.ForprovidingtheoptionalgovernanceandlegalformsreportEmmaBack–SocialenterprisedevelopmentresearcherForResearchandsurveydataanalysisMarcCollett,BurnsCollettForgeneralsupportandguidance

Todmorden Community College Pre-Feasibilty Report

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