A NEW CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE: Proposal for an International Heritage Centre

An Exceptional Proposition!

The Economics of the International Heritage Centre: Premises estimated at £2 million in value support the case for a grant for a large grant for refurbishment to launch a heritage programme and to establish a ‘service hub’ for heritage, culture and community development.

  

It is not often that a community organisation puts forward a proposal for development and also provides a contribution in the form of freehold assets worth £2 million as a part of the package for securing support for implementing a professionally researched Community Heritage Programme! A Prospectus, which is the core of a proposal for HLF funding is being converted into an application to the Heritage Lottery Fund.

 

The Centre@270 Trust intends to do. It is able to offer space at two premises which will be connected and collectively known as the Centre@270. The Development Plan for the International Heritage Centre covers a period of six years from 2009-2016. It is seeking HLF funding to refurbish the premises and to establish a state of the art programme featuring digital inclusion and direct presentation of the International Heritage Centre. The development work can be completed well before London 2012 and linked to provision at Stratford, the hub of the 2012 Games, which is less than four miles away from the proposed complex.

 

Focus on Priority Needs: An International Heritage Centre for Newham

The Board of Trustees of the Centre@270 Trust (now under incorporation) has reviewing proposals for providing Cultural and Heritage-based services to address Newham Council’s policies and priorities for culture and local economic development.

  

CELEBRATING HERITAGE:

The Communities of Newham Centre@270 presents a programme for implementation in conjunction with HLF, Newham Council and local stakeholders interested in heritage, culture and economic development

  

The Trust has been engaged in regular consultation with Newham Council’s Leisure and Cultural Services during the last few weeks. It has taken steps to outline projects which will help to maximise opportunities for reaching various audiences by investing in skills and expertise to provide a number of programmes for audience and partnership development. This is the best way of inviting people with talent and motivation to serve the community to work with us. The proposal consists of the following key outcomes:

  

 The benefit of working with well established partners by first connecting with the policy priorities of Newham Council and then leveraging creative work while the Centre@270 develops its own programmes.
 The launch of a new online community newsletter which is being sent to interested parties with regular upgrades. Keeping people informed is the key to winning their support and respect.
 The launch of a dedicated community arts networking site, which will enable the Centre@270 to embark on a collaborative arts and cultural development programme. A number of projects are to be pursued. Please see http://eastendarts.ning.com The site is an integral part of our commitment to networking and communication and has been created by using the Centre’s own resources in order to maximise communication.
 A new networking site featuring the time-based heritage and culture of the communities of Newham has been developed as a part of the forthcoming application
 A commitment to diversity and equal opportunities, made possible by careful targeting of action in the planning process. Equal Opportunities policies are not a convenient ‘add-on’ but an integral part of the Centre’s development plan.
 Demonstrating commitment to community engagement for all programmes. The Trustees welcome proposals for action from all sections of the community.

 

Benefits: A NEW HERITAGE AND CULTURAL HUB FOR NEWHAM
Centre@270 Trust aims to refurbish and upgrade premises located at ‘the complex’ i.e. 270 Neville Road and 231 Plashet Road to develop and implement ‘bottom-up’ community action programmes, consisting of various services, which

1. Connect with Newham Council’s policy priorities and service the needs of the Council
2. Offer opportunities to provide services to the Council where it outsources its services supported by service level agreements
3. Secure inward investment with matching contributions to run heritage programmes
4. Offer secure prospects for income generation in order to meet costs and to subsidise other projects which may not be income bearing.
5. Prepare for sustainability by introducing multi-faceted programmes and projects aimed at reducing risk
6. Provide professional management skills at start up stage support local people develop local resources and skills
7. Build exit strategies to reduce dependence on grant aid for projects and support action plans for becoming self-reliant
8. Confirm bottom-up approach through extensive consultation and teambuilding based on winning trust and respect.

SUMMARY
In summary, the Heritage programme expects to provide the following services and benefits:

• Partnership Programmes to promote heritage action
• Direct service provision to Newham Council Heritage Services
• Heritage and Education Links: services for schools
• Heritage@270: The International Heritage Centre
• Developing Digital Inclusion to promote development of heritage programmes