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‘Eden Court has to start paying its way’, demands Ross-shire councillor as Highland colleagues give new chief executive six months to deliver fresh funding agreement


By Nicola Sinclair, Local Democracy Reporter

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Eden Court.
Eden Court.

Highland Council and Eden Court must draw up a formal funding agreement in the next six months, according to auditors.

A report to today’s audit and scrutiny committee recommends that the council tightens up its contracts with Eden Court, High Life Highland and HiTrans.

In particular, Eden Court has no business plan or service agreement in place with the council.

Councillors agreed to reduce funding to Eden Court in 2019 but this was not reflected in a written contract. Instead, the current £300,000 funding deal is based solely on “an exchange of emails”.

And while High Life Highland has reported regularly to the council’s education committee, Eden Court has not provided any performance update in the review period.

Auditors identified three ‘medium’ risks in the council’s dealings with arms-length external organisations (ALEO).

Councillors today accepted the recommendations, which include a central register of ALEOs including funding.

“The council can’t keep bleeding money into Eden Court. Eden Court has to start paying its way as far as this council is concerned.” – Cllr Ian Cockburn

Rebecca Holt takes the reigns as new chief executive of Eden Court next month. Councillors today asked Ms Holt to deliver a business plan within six months. The council and Eden Court will also draw up a formal funding agreement.

The auditor’s findings drew criticism from some in the chamber, which met for the first time since the start of the pandemic-related restrictions in person today.

Councillor Ian Cockburn said Wester Ross and the more remote parts of Highland do not see the benefits of the Inverness-based performance venue.

“The council can’t keep bleeding money into Eden Court,” Councillor Cockburn said. “Eden Court has to start paying its way as far as this council is concerned.”

However, the council’s finance bosses highlighted that beyond the revenue support, the council’s capital programme includes a larger scale redevelopment opportunity, which could bring in more revenue.

Councillor Gordon Adam – a board member of Eden Court – said its ambitious capital plans would make it even less dependent on public funding. Eden Court also now has an in-house production company for the first time in 40 years. Cllr Adam says this will extend the benefits beyond Inverness.

“Eden Court has not been slack in addressing its responsibilities,” Cllr Adam said. “Frankly, as a board member for the past five years I’ve been extremely impressed with the way Eden Court is run and I think its relationship with the council is a very successful one.”


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