As reported on Penarth Daily News this morning ‘Two Packed Public Meetings reflect local residents’ concern on cinema closure’. And so they did. I was only able to attend the meeting in the Pilot organised by Philip Rapier so I cannot comment on the Peoples’ meeting organised by Nicki Page. However I imagine very similar views and concerns were expressed along with a sense of outrage at the current situation at the Pier Pavilion. Philip Rapier presented the case for the formation of a shadow voluntary organisation ready to step in with a proposal to take over the cinema as a community cinema. Whilst his proposal is no doubt well intentioned there are 2 problems with this in my opinion :- 1) That PACL show no signs of reaching out to the community in order to find a way forward 2) That the one thing that PACL has done well is to produce a first class programme of films in conjunction with the Independent Cinema Office and shown in a state of the arts digital auditorium. We want this to continue. Whilst I have nothing against the notion of setting up a community cinema we are far from being at this point. Some people last night were frustrated by the apparent lack of a way forward and concrete plan. However what I believe is important – and the reason for 2 packed houses – is that for the first time people have felt they had the opportunity to express their concerns. It is very difficult to have a concrete plan going forward when nobody in a position to bring about change at the Pavilion ( Funders, local politicians, trustees) seem prepared to engage with the very people whose support was integral to the funding originally received to reopen the place – the public and users of the Cinema and others functions! Our views were needed to support the funding bids but it seems our opinions don’t count in finding a way out of the current mess! And yes unless someone can convince us otherwise a mess is what it is! It’s like the Emperor’s New Clothes – we can see the feudal kingdom of Hazel-wood for what it really is having visited it regularly – but we are only meant to see utopia! Our own experiences as customers of the Pavilion are supplemented daily by people and organisations coming forward with their own very poor experiences of unpaid invoices and turned away custom. Ever since the sudden closure was first announced I have been of the opinion that this can only be down to the fact that PACL has not paid its bill to the ICO for film distribution. Last night I heard several people (better placed than I to know if this really is the case) confirm this – with one claiming the outstanding bill is hefty to say the least. If it is the case that the ICO payment is a pre-agreed % of box office takings then it does raise very serious questions about management practice and financial performance. In his column in last week’s Penarth Times local MP Stephen Doughty stated amongst other points on the Pavilion the following :- ‘I have had a number of helpful conversations and meetings with both Penarth Arts and Crafts Ltd and the Vale of Glamorgan Council over recent weeks, and I am pleased that a whole series of steps are being taken to ensure the future sustainability of the Pavilion and its activities.... I know that PACL will welcome all offers of voluntary support, advice and partnerships – and would encourage readers to do what they can to offer support. Having visited last week, I can confirm that the Pavilion was open, busy, and even with the temporary suspension of public film screenings, other bookings of the cinema are happening.... Constituents are always welcome to get in touch with me, to share views on local or national issues, or for assistance with personal casework matters.’ I have spoken to Stephen myself on this issue and had a frank discussion and he listened to what I had to say. I would though respond again to the above points he made by saying :- • We would really appreciate some engagement and dialogue over this important issue in terms of any remedial steps being taken • Our evidence to date certainly does NOT support the views that PACL welcome offers of support , advice and partnership. The very opposite in fact • What other ‘bookings’ of the cinema is really taking place? • Please get in touch with Stephen as he is asking in order to give him YOUR views At the end of the meeting I met many people who came over to me to thank me for my efforts to date with this petition. I just set it up as like others in the room I don’t want to lose our wonderful cinema. People asked what we could do next? The truth is it is very difficult to know if all doors are firmly closed and nobody will engage. When that happens rumour builds and so does suspicion and anger and that is hardly surprising. What is clear is that people have totally lost confidence in PACL going forward and are looking to funders, politicians, the council as freeholder to bring about urgent change – if that includes the removal of current Trustees then so be it. Clearly there are passionate people among us who also have skills and knowledge to make the Pavilion work as we know it can. We are here waiting to be part of a dialogue going forward. Until then all I can urge you to do is to raise your concerns, suggestions and own experiences with your local councillor – remember there is a local council election coming up and the future of the Pavilion is clearly going to be a big issue. Then as MP Stephen Doughty says he would welcome your views as I’m sure would AM Vaughan Gething too The media are showing interest which is good! I am told that ITV Cymru Wales are airing the piece they have done on the Pavilion on this evening’s Wales At Six – 6pm