HITCHIN: North Herts Council will be debating plans to turn former town centre toilets into a cafe in a bid to raise money.

NHC will also be looking at ways to save cash by letting Charnwood House with £30,000 estimated to be the saving per annum.

NHC are also aiming to boost revenues raised from Hitchin Town Hall and North Hertfordshire Museum by introducing 'An Evening With' events.

NHC will be holding a meeting of the finance, audit and risk committee on Monday evening from 730pm in which they will also be looking at charging for the use of Public Conveniences at the three locations maintained by the council.

Hitchin Nub News has studied the agenda as part of our ongoing commitment to cover local politics and the issues that matter to you, our loyal readership.

Here are a few of NHC's proposals regarding possible savings in and around our town that we have extrapolated from the document 'Total Net Budget Reduction from new efficiency proposals' under the title REVENUE BUDGET SAVINGS AND INVESTMENTS: New Efficiency Proposals. (Page 75.)

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1) Leveraging income from Hitchin Town Hall Community Facility and North Hertfordshire Museum

NHC IN THEIR OWN WORDS - COUNCIL PROPOSALS/'EFFICIENCY' PLANS:

To introduce evening events at the museum that would be ticketed to provide a totally different experience than a normal visit. This could include an evening with a talks based on specific artefacts. The events will also have a licenced bar and catering.

WHAT IT MEANS:

Council to increase number of events selling food and booze at Hitchin Town Hall and North Herts Museum on Brand Street.

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2) Letting of Charnwood House in Hitchin

NHC IN THEIR OWN WORDS - COUNCIL PROPOSALS/'EFFICIENCY' PLANS:

Efficiency associated with corresponding capital proposal for the renovation and modification of the property. Depending on the terms agreed in the lease, achieving a letting of Charnwood House would remove the costs to NHDC of managing the premises, which currently average at circa £30k per annum. A lease is expected to take 2-3 years to complete so no savings are anticipated within this period.

WHAT IT MEANS:

Revenues will occur once money is invested into new proposals for Charnwood House. New plans would save NHC £30,000 in annual upkeep but no estimated figures for the building work given, which would surely substantially exceed £30,000 in the first instance. Profits assumed but very vague on expected concrete revenues.

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3) Letting of former Public Convenience at Portmill Lane, Hitchin

NHC IN THEIR OWN WORDS - COUNCIL PROPOSALS/'EFFICIENCY' PLANS:

Efficiency associated with corresponding capital proposal to renovate the premises. The revenue estimate is currently based on the building being let for basic storage use following the capital works. Estates would aim to secure planning permission and, following the works, a letting as soon as possible for cafe or office use. Either use is expected to generate much higher additional annual income.

WHAT IT MEANS:

Revenues will occur once money is invested into new proposals for a cafe or offices. No figures for the costs of the building work given. Profits expected but very vague on detail.

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4) Charging for the use of Public Conveniences

NHC IN THEIR OWN WORDS - COUNCIL PROPOSALS/'EFFICIENCY' PLANS:

Charging for the use of Public Conveniences at the three locations maintained by the council. Efficiency value is based on a charge of 20p, assumes a 25% drop in activity, and is net of anticipated additional costs from introducing a charging system.

WHAT IT MEANS:

Public toilets to charge people 20p to use them. Expense will deter a quarter of current users. Costs incurred by adding new equipment not factored into savings.