News: Magna money decision deferred
It appears to be business as usual at the Magna Science Adventure Centre in Rotherham as the local council's cabinet defers making a final decision on whether to make £350,000 available to support the operators of the popular venue.
Set in the former Templeborough steelworks, Magna is a family attraction with more than 100 hands-on exhibits. Millions of pounds have been invested in conference facilities at the centre which is operated by a charity, the Magna Trust.
In January, Rotherham Council's interim chief executive approved an immediate £100,000 loan after the Magna Trust identified a potential cash shortfall. The council's cabinet were also recently asked to approve a new loan facility of up to £250,000 to start on April 1 2015, taking the total available for the year to £350,000.
At the meeting, held on the day the cabinet was declared "wholly dysfunctional" by the Secretary of State, it was discussed that an independent consultant would be appointed to undertake a review of Magna's business, to help to strengthen the Magna business plan and to assess the future viability of Magna and to give some assurances moving forward. The short term Council loan facility to the Magna Trust of £250,000 was deferred pending the outcome of the review.
The review is due to be submitted back to the Cabinet in due course but following the statutory inspection of Rotherham Council, Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, announced details of an intervention package that includes appointing commissioners who will provide new leadership, taking over the roles of the current cabinet.
It is not yet clear when, or by whom, a decision on the loan facility will be made.
In the meantime, Magna continues to play host to a wide variety of events and John Silker, chief executive of Magna Trust, is confident that it can cut the need to borrow money.
Last Sunday Magna was the venue for Yorkshire's biggest Asian wedding fair. Attracting an estimated 3,000 people, the fair included wedding caterers, decorators, photographers and henna artists plus a fashion show under the creative direction of supermodel Zaf Shabir.
This week, the Big Hall has been transformed and is being filled with with 21 pool tables as Magna hosts the 8 Ball Pool World Championships.
Following the final on Sunday, Magna gears up for a busy week of half term, putting on extra workshops and even hosting a "baby rave."
March is the adults turn to rave with the largest house music event to hit Yorkshire for many years - History at Magna. In April, Yorkshire Cosplay Con moves to Rotherham, when thousands of comic, film and video game fans meet up at Magna.
Magna website
Images: Magna
Set in the former Templeborough steelworks, Magna is a family attraction with more than 100 hands-on exhibits. Millions of pounds have been invested in conference facilities at the centre which is operated by a charity, the Magna Trust.
In January, Rotherham Council's interim chief executive approved an immediate £100,000 loan after the Magna Trust identified a potential cash shortfall. The council's cabinet were also recently asked to approve a new loan facility of up to £250,000 to start on April 1 2015, taking the total available for the year to £350,000.
At the meeting, held on the day the cabinet was declared "wholly dysfunctional" by the Secretary of State, it was discussed that an independent consultant would be appointed to undertake a review of Magna's business, to help to strengthen the Magna business plan and to assess the future viability of Magna and to give some assurances moving forward. The short term Council loan facility to the Magna Trust of £250,000 was deferred pending the outcome of the review.
The review is due to be submitted back to the Cabinet in due course but following the statutory inspection of Rotherham Council, Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, announced details of an intervention package that includes appointing commissioners who will provide new leadership, taking over the roles of the current cabinet.
It is not yet clear when, or by whom, a decision on the loan facility will be made.
In the meantime, Magna continues to play host to a wide variety of events and John Silker, chief executive of Magna Trust, is confident that it can cut the need to borrow money.
Last Sunday Magna was the venue for Yorkshire's biggest Asian wedding fair. Attracting an estimated 3,000 people, the fair included wedding caterers, decorators, photographers and henna artists plus a fashion show under the creative direction of supermodel Zaf Shabir.
This week, the Big Hall has been transformed and is being filled with with 21 pool tables as Magna hosts the 8 Ball Pool World Championships.
Following the final on Sunday, Magna gears up for a busy week of half term, putting on extra workshops and even hosting a "baby rave."
March is the adults turn to rave with the largest house music event to hit Yorkshire for many years - History at Magna. In April, Yorkshire Cosplay Con moves to Rotherham, when thousands of comic, film and video game fans meet up at Magna.
Magna website
Images: Magna
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