News, comment and features

Letter from Mark Bradbury, Enfield Council, to Dave Cockle, Enfield Society

Dave Cockle
Chairman
The Enfield Society

22nd October 2020

Dear Dave

Re: A new proposal for the Dugdale Centre Archive and Museum

Thank you for sharing your document with the Leader. The document sets out a few concerns and suggestions which she has asked me to respond to as follows: -

As we have already stated we are not cutting the museum space by half. We are redesigning the whole of the ground floor and this will accommodate both permanent and temporary museum displays in a location that is more visible and accessible with greater potential for associated events, talks and school visits. As we have said we will share those ideas with stakeholders as they develop. We believe these proposals will encourage greater use of the ground floor and will lead to greater footfall not less.

You have also stated that the Museum of London ‘have raised vital concerns’. They have advised us that this is not the case, but If you have a record of these concerns we will be happy to consider them.

We have yet to make a final decision on the location of the archives whilst we consult with the National Archive, but our preferred option, far from ‘relegating’ them brings them to the Civic Centre, a location that is central, accessible and only 400 metres from the Museum. As you state only around 25 people per week visit the archive and if we do move it to the Civic Centre there is potential for that to grow.

The principle user of the ‘conference centre’ is the Council for meetings and training events. Much of the income you describe is therefore internal recharges between council departments rather than income into the council. Your proposal also takes no account of the operating costs. We are satisfied that use of this space as part of the Children and Family Hub is the better option as it replaces other more expensive and less conveniently located space.

Some of those meetings and training events will continue to be held in the new hub, some will be held at the Civic Centre, but many will be delivered online as they have successfully been during lockdown. We will work with the small number of other users of the space to accommodate them elsewhere, where we can.

Around 500 staff will be based at the new Children and Family Services Hub and this alone will lead to an increase in footfall in the town centre. Children and Families will also visit the Hub on a regular basis adding to footfall in a location well served by public transport. Bringing the Service into a single hub offers benefits for staff and service users alike.

Alongside our investment in the new Metaswitch (new part of Microsoft) Head Office this also helps rebuild Enfield Town Centre as an office location, aiding the diversity of use in the town centre, supporting retailers, restauranteurs and café owners and creating a wider audience for cultural events.

Our Build the Change programme is based on the principles of agile working and the COVID19 pandemic has only served to accelerate the changes we were already planning, with a focus on collaboration and problem solving rather than fixed office working. We have staff based at many buildings around the borough and alongside the Children & Family Hub, we are bringing in more staff to both Edmonton Green and the Civic Centre from outdated locations away from town centres.

I am not sure what 1500 square metres of ‘new office space’ you refer to being available in the Civic Centre but we will be making more efficient use of space in this building to enable us to free up other buildings for new businesses or much needed housing development. This will generate operational savings, new income opportunities and investment in the borough whilst responding to a new way of working that benefits residents, service users and staff alike.

I appreciate your interest and concern in both the Archives and Museum Services and thank you for your offer to contribute £20,000 to updating the displays should they remain at Thomas Hardy House. Whilst it is not the only reason for creating a Children and Family Service Hub the financial benefit runs to hundreds of thousands each year so whilst your offer is generous it will not offset this.

I understand you are meeting Cllr Caliskan and Sarah Cary in December and they look forward to updating you on our proposals. I am sure they would also be keen to discuss alternative projects which you would be willing to contribute to.

Kind regards

Mark Bradbury MRICS, FRSA, FIoEE
Director of Property and Economy