Leicester City Council is criticised over Curve in audit report
The nine-year project to build Leicester's Curve theatre did not represent good value for money, according to an independent watchdog.
The Audit Commission investigated the project after it went almost £35m over-budget and opened a year late in the autumn.
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Leicester's new theatre Curve has been criticised by the Audit Commission for coming in almost £35m over- budget a year later than planned
It criticises the total cost, which rose from an initial estimate of £26.5m to more than £60m.
The report says Leicester City Council, which has been run by all three major political parties since the project's inception, was responsible for increases in costs.
This is because work started before the design was finished and changes were made while the building was ongoing.
Management at the start of the project was also "weak" and problems caused by the unusual design were inadequately identified or managed.
The report says: "We are unable to conclude that the council's arrangements ensured value for money in the use of the resources in the development of Curve.
"Increases in projected costs and delays were partly due to changes in specification, but also arose because of inadequate identification and management of risks.
"The detailed operation of the innovative building was insufficiently considered at the design stage and, as Curve has neared completion, the Theatre Trust has expressed concerns that the design may impact adversely on future running costs. The council commissioned a number of reports to review its management of the project and the rising costs and to learn lessons, but it is not clear that all recommendations have been fully implemented."
Council bosses said that they accepted the recommendations of the report, but disagreed with some of the conclusions, particularly that Curve was poor value.
The Cabinet member for culture, Councillor Andy Connelly, said: "I do not necessarily agree that it does not represent value for money.
"It is difficult to see at the moment but, in the long-term, it will pay off in the respect of regeneration and we have a world class theatre."
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by Mrs D. LInes, leicester
Friday, September 18 2009, 11:30AM
“surely for £60 million the Council could have built a theater, a 10,000 seater concert venue, a bus station, new council offices and still had some change left over.”
by Mr H Hill, leicester
Friday, September 18 2009, 11:26AM
“Let's hope the new planned "iconic" bus station for Leicester doesn't turn into another "Curve" fiasco, with soaring costs, and late delivery. Why this obsession with Councilors and Senior managers with creating "iconic" buildings? Basically we want something cheap, functional and delivered within budget.”
by Mr Stouffer, leicester
Friday, September 18 2009, 11:22AM
“would a suitable punishment for all those who mismanaged the curve project be to put them in stocks in Orton square and then pelt them with rotten fruit supplied by the disgruntled market traders?”
by Mr Mike Hunt, Leicester
Thursday, September 17 2009, 12:16PM
“How this buliding has cost £60 million, is beggars belief, the money could have been spent on a concert venue, instead of a place for pretencious yuppies.”
by Mr S M L E Feet, Leicester
Thursday, September 17 2009, 12:14PM
“I understand that Curve actually has stairs and lifts in it which can be used to access the upper floors so that you can look down on the lower floors....and that it can be used to stage plays.”
by Mr H Marking, Leicester
Thursday, September 17 2009, 12:04PM
“I like the Curve, its sweeping lines and lovely glass exterior, make me think yes £60 million pounds well spent”
by Ross, Leicester
Thursday, September 17 2009, 8:24AM
“"And middle-class outsiders are bound to love the Curve as it didn't cost them a penny. I would much rather have seen something like a snow dome which everybody could enjoy without it being subsidised."
Everyone could enjoy the snowdome? £50-100 for waterproofs/thermals. £33 for a lesson, £150 for a day's skiing snowboarding lessons, or £17.50 an hour (based on Tamworth's prices). Hardly a working class activity is it? Why not be honest and say "I want a snowdome despite what everyone else wants".
This is versus £10-£30 for a night at the theatre (depending on what you want to see). I think your argument falls down on so many levels...”
by Nick Di Perna, Western Road
Wednesday, September 16 2009, 2:56PM
“In response to comments... many people in Leicester are long-term unemployed, migrant workers or just temporary residents, like students who have little vested interest in sustaining Leicester's future. The large established ethnic groups also tend to keep themselves to themselves.
When I canvassed in my area I was surprised how many people were living in a house which was not their official address... And the people who do a bit of dealing to supplement their benefits aren't going to rock the boat too often. The more affluent areas are no longer within city council boundaries. And those with money have already gone to live in the outskirts.
Opportunist councillors and administrators relish this situation and have free reign to do as they see fit. But how can we really criticise those willing to manage such a dystopia or their (often misguided) effots to attract people with money to the city?
There is simply not enough true stakeholders in Leicester to influence the course of events. How this sorry situation came about is one for local historians but it is certainly not unique to Leicester.
And middle-class outsiders are bound to love the Curve as it didn't cost them a penny. I would much rather have seen something like a snow dome which everybody could enjoy without it being subsidised.”
by Ahmed, leicester
Wednesday, September 16 2009, 2:45PM
“Mike, arent there enough mosques already in this city?”
by HM, Leicester
Wednesday, September 16 2009, 2:20PM
“In a private business the persons responsible for the overspend would have been sacked long time ago , but as usual the LCC worms its way and pulls the wool over the tax payers eyes and goes ahead.
The Curve is a good building , but the spend is not justified , it is als in the wrong lcoation amongst all the very dreary and old unmaintanitained part of Leicester.
Itrs about time the LCC was streamlined and the counclillors and departmental heads making the decisions are made accountable .
Manchester and Newcastle are streets ahead of leicester and venues which offer class and tranport solutions.
What do we have bus lanes that dont help.”