Trustees step down in row over planned city dental academy
De Montfort University representatives have resigned from the board of the Phoenix cinema after raising concerns about its plans to host a dental academy.
The university's two members on the board of trustees running the city arts venue have stepped down, it has emerged.
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PROPOSAL: An artist's impression of the independent dental school which would be built next to the Phoenix cinema
The publicly-funded Phoenix is set to become the base for Leicester Dental Teaching Academy (LDTA), which intends to open in September and is now recruiting students for the £176,000, five-year course.
However, confidential minutes of Phoenix board meetings passed to the Mercury show the university's members raised "concerns and issues" about the proposed dental academy in November.
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The board minutes say the university trustees referred to what they called the academy's "unacceptably high fees" and pointed out De Montfort University (DMU), the University of Leicester and Warwick University had all declined to be involved in the project before it was accredited by the University of Buckingham.
The minutes also say the university may not wish its brand to be linked to the academy through its involvement with Phoenix.
The De Montfort trustees also said: "There is a risk for DMU and UL (University of Leicester) that the recruitment of international students will be adversely affected in the event that LDTA has a negative impact on the reputation of Leicester."
The Mercury has previously reported that, initially, students would have lectures and seminars at the Phoenix, Curve and nearby LCB Depot.
The £6 million dental clinic is proposed subject to planning approval, but yesterday the city council said no planning application had been submitted.
If approved, the centre would include specialist suites and extra teaching and administrative space. It is due to be up-and-running for the start of the autumn 2015 academic year.
In the board minutes, the university trustees point out there is no guarantee the dental academy will be granted planning permission.
They raise concerns that students could be taught in the Phoenix from September and that the LDTA building might not even be started.
The trustees add they are concerned students may not be able to pursue their studies if the building is delayed or not built. The minutes say "this is unacceptable".
De Montfort University, which provided £750,000 towards the £21.5 million cost of the building when it opened in 2009, confirmed its trustees had resigned.
It said it did not wish to comment on the reasons for the resignation but confirmed it had no intention of removing the £20,000 a year it gives to the Phoenix as part of its ongoing partnership deal.
Phoenix chief executive John Rance said he was disappointed that papers "clearly not designed for public release" were given to the Mercury but stressed it was an "open organisation".
He said: "Two Phoenix trustees resigned in January and we have held discussions with DMU. We value the relationship with DMU enormously.
"We anticipate that the LDTA opportunity will produce a significant new income stream for Phoenix that will support our long-term future."
Phoenix said the teaching programme would not affect cinema scheduling, but could limit the conference space available to others.
In the minutes, Mr Rance said: "Provision of space would not affect the Phoenix cultural programme as morning sessions are proposed when the cinemas are not used."
The minutes to the board meeting say Phoenix is set to be paid £500,000 over the first five years by LDTA for hiring the venue.
The Mercury contacted the University of Buckingham, which said it did not wish to comment on the matter.
It said we should contact LDTA registrar Atul Patel, but he was unavailable.
7 Comments
by Jayemar
Friday, March 22 2013, 7:25PM
“Oh yawn, another backward looking individual harping on about the old Phoenix...a shabby old heap with one screen and a bar like a dungeon. As for Phoenix Square "never having taken off" I guess le8man - like many other critics of Phoenix Square doesn't go there and certainly not last night when people were queuing around the foyer to see the latest live broadcast from the National Theatre.
I think Phoenix Square is to be applauded for identifying funding which isn't from the local taxpayer. And what is the source of this story anyway? Board minutes are meant to be confidential aren't they?”
by Jayemar
Friday, March 22 2013, 7:25PM
“Oh yawn, another backward looking individual harping on about the old Phoenix...a shabby old heap with one screen and a bar like a dungeon. As for Phoenix Square "never having taken off" I guess le8man - like many other critics of Phoenix Square doesn't go there and certainly not last night when people were queuing around the foyer to see the latest live broadcast from the National Theatre.
I think Phoenix Square is to be applauded for identifying funding which isn't from the local taxpayer. And what is the source of this story anyway? Board minutes are meant to be confidential aren't they?”
by Jayemar
Friday, March 22 2013, 7:18PM
“Groan! There's always some old moaner going on about the old Phoenix and how much better it was...yawn! The bar was a dungeon, the place was shabby and in need of an update and it had one small screen. As for "never taken off" guess le8man - like other backward looking critics of Phoenix Square - probably never goes there. If he/she had been there last night they might have seen the huge queues to get into the live National Theatre broadcast, one of the many popular events held recently.
I think Phoenix are to be applauded for bringing about a deal which will increase their revenue at no cost to local tax payers and will benefit the users of Phoenix Square. Where did this story originate from? Sour grapes DMU?”
by le8man
Friday, March 22 2013, 11:04AM
“The reason they are having to do this is because the new phoenix has 'scuse the pun, never taken off where it is and was fatally flawed by it's location. The ideal location for the new phoenix,was guess what where the old phoenix site is, which could and should have been rebuilt on. There are lot of words I could use to describe this fiasco, but this is a family website and newspaper.”
by Klaatu1
Thursday, March 21 2013, 4:15PM
“These people stepped down because the media centre is trying to bring in extra money (rather than coming to the taxpayer for a hand-out) plus bring in extra jobs and footfall to that god-awful 'cultural quarter'?
That is just embarrassing, perhaps that DMU Chancellor bloke wanted no distractions from planning his fancy new digs.”
by LikeItaLot
Thursday, March 21 2013, 3:21PM
“I see absolutly no connection between the two.”
by Meerkat_uk
Thursday, March 21 2013, 10:52AM
“1 - "De Montfort University representatives have resigned from the board of the Phoenix cinema"
2 - "De Montfort University, which provided £750,000 towards the £21.5 million cost of the building when it opened in 2009"
2 - De Montfort University "no intention of removing the £20,000 a year it gives to the Phoenix"
Could this be one of the reasons why Pete the Mayor does everything in the City to help De Montfort University?
1, Changes to the road layout so they had a larger area to build on at the Magazine Gateway monument.
2, Remove a vehicle lane to construct a wider path in Newarke Street for the students. This is causing traffic flow and delays for motorists.
3, De Montfort University has it's mention in the Jubilee Square project with the new De Montfort University City Block right next door an a pathway towards De Montfort University.
Is there anything going on Pete?”