A public engagement and consultation programme has been belatedly launched for the future of Clair Hall, nearly a year after the Conservative Council voted to close it, and after it was taken to court by a group of Haywards Heath residents, during which it was found that the Council acted unlawfully, and therefore was forced to reconsider the decision. 

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This was after the Council’s failure to properly consider the strong opposition to the closure of Clair Hall, and to engage with the approach by residents interested in taking over the management of the hall to enable it to continue as a performance venue.  The Council has form here give it previously closed the Martlets Hall in Burgess Hill and failed to support any replacement provision.

The Council ‘s press release launching this new consultation pointedly talks of the Clair Hall site rather than the hall itself, and it was clear when I asked a question at Wednesday’s Council meeting, that whilst not ruling out reuse of the hall, the administration is looking beyond that at the future of the whole site. 

Independent consultants have been engaged at a cost of £19,800 (!) to management the process.  However, I hope this becomes a real second chance to save the hall, and therefore residents in Haywards Heath and beyond now have the opportunity to engage with the twelve week consultation, and take Conservative councillors at their word, that they will act on the consultation.