Aug 2019 User Consultation

In September - October 2019 we hosted two public consultation events in Redhill and Guildford. The events provided an opportunity for current users of the Surrey Performing Arts Library to share their thoughts on a number of decisions relating to the NewSPAL service. 

​Both events were led by Mark Welling Chair of NewSPAL, Barbara Eiffler NewSPAL Trustee (and CEO of Making Music) and Victoria Taylor Transition Project Manager.  Both events were well attended, with approx 20 attendees at each. We found there to be a good balance of drama groups, music groups and individual users attending as well as a number of current volunteers supporting the re-cataloguing of the music and drama sets. 

Each event began with a short update from NewSPAL Trustees, below for a digested version:

• Users are reminded to continue to use SPAL services at Ewell Library until informed otherwise - the detailed transition arrangements will be publicised well ahead of time
• Woking building availability - updates from Woking Borough Council confirm an expected late Spring 2020 date
• A reminder that NewSPAL receives zero funding from Surrey County Council
• Top line operational expenditure and income figures for operational Yrs 1-3 based on latest budgets can be seen below. Income must come from membership subscriptions, hire charges and late fees/ room hire charges. There are no other reliable sources. The budget assumes costs go up by 2% pa.
• Transition fundraising is required for everything necessary to get the library and service ready to open in Spring 2020. Fundraising update - c£85k raised to date. A number of major grant applications have been made which we are reasonably confident should help us raise the estimated remaining money (c£92k) before the library can open its doors and become financially self-sustaining.