Cross-Party Push for the Stag: Councillors Tell Cabinet to Negotiate

The all-party Finance Committee of Sevenoaks District Council has told its Conservative Cabinet to be flexible and negotiate a long-term future for the town's Stag Theatre with the local Town Council.

Councillors were considering a recommendation to levy a new charge of £650,000 on the Town Council in exchange for a transfer of the community theatre's freehold.

Many councillors - along with more than 7,500 residents who have signed a petition promoted by the Theatre - argued that a nil-cost transfer would enable the theatre to flourish, attract additional investment and continue serving the communities around Sevenoaks. 

With changes in local government organisation expected to be confirmed in the new few weeks, the Theatre's trustees are anxious to see its future settled quickly.

Cllr Alan Leaman, leader of the Council's Lib Dem group, said: "I hope we are seeing signs of common sense breaking out at the District Council. We need the elected leaderships of the two Councils to get together and devise a way forward for the Stag that meets its needs and is acceptable to both. The time for dogma is over. The public interest must come first."