I live in Uttlesford

Please copy and paste the below letter text into the body of your email addressed to Cllr Lees.

To: cllrlees@uttlesford.gov.uk
Cc: pholt@uttlesford.gov.uk

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Subject: [Your name] in support of Saffron Hall

Dear Cllr Lees,

I am writing to you in support of Saffron Hall Trust. As an elected Councillor, I want to ensure that you and UDC understand the benefits that an organisation such as Saffron Hall brings to Saffron Walden, Uttlesford, Essex and to me personally. I am an Uttlesford Resident and supporter of Saffron Hall.

Unusually for a venue of this size, with such a strong education and community agenda, Saffron Hall was built in 2013 with private funds and does not receive any regular public funding. For ten years the Hall has been generating income that sustains a nationally significant programme of events and a substantial schools and community programme. Each year there are over 45,000 visitors to the Hall and 8,000 young people and vulnerable adults participate in the schools and community programmes. Day-to-day costs, the concert programme and the schools and community work are supported through fundraising, ticket sales and earned income, in other words, entirely by the people of Uttlesford, generous donors and audiences across the region. In particular, it should be noted that Saffron Hall Trust has invested over £1 million in the schools and community programme over the last ten years, but despite its close alignment to the UDC Corporate Plan, UDC has contributed just £26,000.

In addition to the benefits I personally derive from my association with the Hall, I know that Saffron Hall makes a substantial contribution to the local economy and has a considerable impact on the community. According to a recent report, Saffron Hall contributes over £1.36 million (GVA) a year to the local economy, this includes an off-site visitor spend of nearly £0.5 million in Saffron Walden. On top of this, their social impact has a value of over £0.75 million a year to the local community.

Other local authorities and public bodies are recognising the work of their comparable cultural institutions in the following way:

• Chelmsford City Council will invest over £2 million in theatre alone with an estimated return of £1.9 million, representing an allocation of £103,000.
• Colchester District Council will allocate £168,000 to the Mercury Theatre and in addition the theatre will receive £790,000 from Arts Council England.
• West Suffolk Council will allocate £1 million to The Apex this year.

Saffron Walden Museum will receive investment of over £360,000 from UDC this year and I would therefore ask why Saffron Hall is not similarly valued and supported?

I was dismayed to hear that as the Hall enters its tenth season, the board and administration of the Trust are struggling to maintain all of their current schools and community activities alongside essential maintenance work that would ensure the future of the Hall. Public funding of arts and culture helps to support and build local economies. It supports the health and wellbeing of the community and creates places where people want to live and work. This is why I urge the council to ensure the future of Saffron Hall, a key cultural asset for Uttlesford and the region.

I hope to hear from you soon.

Yours sincerely,

[Your name]
[Your postcode]

Please copy and paste the above letter text to edit, or you can download a PDF of the letter below. Make sure to add your address, your name and any additional comments you'd like to make before you post the letter.

Postal address:

Cllr Petrina Lees
Uttlesford District Council
Council Offices
London Road
Saffron Walden
CB11 4ER