Agenda and draft minutes

Venue: Civic Hall, Leeds, LS1 1UR. View directions

Contact: Angela Brogden (0113) 37 88661  Email: angela.brogden@leeds.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

60.

Declaration of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests

To disclose or draw attention to any disclosable pecuniary interests for the purposes of Section 31 of the Localism Act 2011 and paragraphs 13-16 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

Minutes:

There were no disclosable pecuniary interests declared at the meeting.

 

61.

Apologies for Absence and Notification of Substitutes

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors G Hyde, J Illingworth and S Lay.

 

Councillors J Bentley, K Ritchie and C Towler were present as substitutes.

 

62.

Minutes - 17th January 2018 pdf icon PDF 230 KB

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 17th January 2018.

Minutes:

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 17 January 2018 be confirmed as a correct record.

 

63.

Update on the position of the Carriageworks Theatre pdf icon PDF 121 KB

To receive a report from the Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support reflecting the request made by the Chair for the Scrutiny Board to receive a verbal update from the Chief Officer for Culture and Sport on the position of the Carriageworks Theatre.

Minutes:

Following recent media coverage about the use of the Carriageworks Theatre by the Leeds Community Arts Network, the Chair had requested that the Board received an update from the Chief Officer for Culture and Sport on this matter.  The Chair of the Leeds Community Arts Network had also been invited to update the Board.

 

The following were in attendance:

 

-  Cluny Macpherson – Chief Officer, Culture and Sport

-  Matt Stirk – Chair of Leeds Community Arts Network

 

Cluny Macpherson informed the Board of discussions that had been held between the Council and the Leeds Community Arts Network.  These had focussed on the following four issues:

 

-  Rentals for rehearsals.

-  Dates for use, with particular issues relating to potential clashes with the annual pantomime performance.

-  Use of storage space.

-  Hours of use.

 

However, it was reported that the above issues had been broadly resolved.

 

Matt Stirk informed the Board of the Community Arts Network’s use of the Carriageworks. The network had fourteen groups based there covering activities such as opera, drama, dance and creative writing.  There were approximately 20 performances a year from the network’s groups.  Concerns had arisen following the network being given notice that they would no longer be able to use the workshop space and an increase in the cost of room hire.  This would have had a significant financial impact on the groups that used the Carriageworks and their ability to put on performances.  Discussions with the Council had since been positive and an agreement in principle had been reached.  Thanks were made to the officers who had been involved.

 

Further to comments and questions from Board Members, key areas of discussion included the following:

 

-  Increases in rental charges – it was reported that these would be initially increased £10 per hour following recent negotiations.

-  The annual pantomime brought in significant income for the running of the Carriageworks. This unfortunately caused potential clashes with community groups wanting to use the facilities at the same time but a positive solution was anticipated.

-  Groups were looking at different ways of improving their revenue to meet the increased costs.

-  Leeds Community Arts Network received funding through the Arts at Leeds programme, which would help alleviate some of the financial pressures.

-  Potential alternative means of increasing income at the Carriageworks – suggestions had included opening of the bar to community group members and more public events such as open mic evenings.

-  Future planning for any further rises

-  Development of a business plan for the Leeds Community Arts Network.

-  Ways in which the network can continue to work in partnership with the Council.

-  Ensuring that lessons learnt from this recent experience are being used to inform how the Council moves forward in engaging with other community arts groups too.

 

RESOLVED – That the report and discussion be noted.

 

64.

Culture Strategy Delivery Plan pdf icon PDF 88 KB

To receive a report from the Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support presenting information requested by the Scrutiny Board in relation to the development of the Culture Strategy 2017-2030 Delivery Plan.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The report of the Director of City Development provided the Board with an interim update on the development of the Culture Strategy Delivery Plan following the adoption of the new Culture Strategy for Leeds 2017-2030 and outlined the implications of recent events relating to the city’s bid for European Capital of Culture.

 

The following were in attendance for this item:

 

-  Councillor Judith Blake, Leader of the Council

-  Cluny Macpherson – Chief Officer, Culture and Sport

-  Leanne Buchan – Principal Officer, Culture and Sport

-  Sam Nicholls – Senior Lecturer, School of Film, Music and Performing Arts, Leeds Beckett University

-  Wendy Denman – Community Engagement Manager, Bruntwood

 

Key issues highlighted included the following:

 

·  Links between the strategy and the bid for the Capital of Culture.

·  The new strategy was in place and was now at the delivery stage.

·  The year-long celebration of culture that would be held in 2023 following the cancellation of the bid for the European Capital of Culture.

·  Impact on the delivery plan following the cancellation of the bid.

·  The delivery plan of the strategy would be ongoing up to and including 2023.

·  Engagement with local people and how to get their projects and ideas on board.

·  Work with other Council departments to ensure best use of public resources.

·  Wendy Denman gave the Board a brief overview of the role of Bruntwood Property Management and how they could provide support to the arts and culture.  The company had developed their own culture strategy and owned 4 properties in Leeds which could be utilised for cultural activities.  Bruntwood had also supported the Leeds bid.

·  Sam Nicholls informed the Board of the Music:Leeds project. The project had already overseen a number of successful events including carrying out a mapping exercise of all music business activity in Leeds.

 

Further to comments and questions, the following was discussed:

 

·  Use of buildings and open spaces – part of the strategy included several values including that of generosity which could include the provision of spaces and facilities.

·  Music mapping exercise – targeting activities in localities out of the City Centre.  It was hoped to be able to list all venues across the city that staged live music.

·  Culture within planning.  Getting public realm interventions as part of developments. There was work ongoing with colleagues across planning and asset management.

·  Business engagement – there was a challenge to keep businesses involved throughout the delivery of the strategy. There had been a number of businesses linked to the Capital of Culture Bid.

·  Support for smaller events including those held outside of the city centre.

·  Engagement with schools and how to get arts and culture into the curriculum.

·  How to demonstrate the value and relevance of culture to all communities in Leeds

·  Funding for cultural activities and how to help groups develop their skills to raise funds.

·  Economic impact of culture.

 

RESOLVED –

 

(1)  That the plan for a year-long celebration of culture in 2023 as a direct legacy of the city’s  ...  view the full minutes text for item 64.

65.

Work Schedule pdf icon PDF 158 KB

To consider the Scrutiny Board’s work schedule for the 2017/18 municipal year.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Head of Governance and Scrutiny submitted a report which invited Members to consider the Board’s work schedule for the 2017/18 Municipal Year.

 

The Board was informed that the next meeting would be the last scheduled meeting of the 2017/18 Municipal Year.

 

RESOLVED – That the work schedule, as presented at Appendix 1 of the report, be agreed as the basis for the Board’s work for the remainder of the 2017/18 municipal year.

 

66.

Date and Time of Next Meeting

Wednesday, 14th March 2018 at 10.30 am (pre-meeting for all Board Members at 10.00 am)

Minutes:

Wednesday, 14 March 2018 at 10.15 am (Pre-meeting for all Board Members at 10.00 am).

 

(The meeting concluded at 12.20 pm)