Issue - items at meetings - Royal Pavilion Garden Strategy

Ms Paula Murray, Head of Culture & Economy introduced the report. This was a regular update report. The appointment of the 2012 Legacy Manager was an important step. The 2012 strategy had three strands: profile, participation and infrastructure. The last of these was an opportunity to tell a positive story about the development of sports infrastructure in the city. It was a simple framework to fit a lot in. The Appendices listed events that have happened and are planned.

Questions were asked about what was happening to free swimming in the city, why was Big Dance chosen for the one item in 2012 when it happened this year, and why was the Open Weekend not being promoted this year?  Ms Murray said that this year’s Big Dance was a pilot. Ms Pauline Freestone, 2012 Co-ordinator explained that there were 5 strands to Big Dance and primary schools were linked in to perform a dance. There were also community links and workshops for older people, those with disabilities, and those with impaired hearing. The Open Weekend was under the Cultural Olympiad banner initially, but that had fallen away now. There would be coverage of the Open Weekend but no leaflets.

The Cabinet Member for Culture, Recreation and Tourism, Councillor David Smith confirmed that there would be a statement shortly on free swimming in the city. 

Following a question on the athletic track at Withdean, Councillor Smith confirmed that one of the main aims was to get a state of the art athletic track back when the football team had moved. Mr Scott Marshall, Director of Housing, Culture, and Enterprise noted that there was an open dialogue with the football club on these issues.

The events in the suburbs of the city were welcomed, as well as central events. The example of local community bands was given. Following a question on are there any partners the Council wished to work with and weren’t Ms Murray told the Committee that they would like to be more involved in the national programme and were working on that.  The idea of attracting athletes to the city was no longer a viable one, although the Yellow Wave is a recognised facility.

Following a question on the fall in tourism during 2012, Mr Adam Bates, Head of Tourism and Venues noted that it was hard to predict. Evidence in Greece showed that over the whole year of the Olympics, the effect was neutral. The two core areas they were focusing on were: the attention of the world’s media and they would work hard with accredited and non-accredited journalists to make the most of this; and the increase in business and conference events.

RESOLVED – to note the report and endorse the activity to date, to continue to endorse the partnership approach, to support the council in facilitating the strategy, to support the branding, and to agree a regular update.

Report of the Director of Culture and Enterprise.

52.1 Janita Bagshawe, Head of Royal Pavilion and Museums introduced the report. It had built on a scrutiny workshop for councillors in September 2009.   The plan was about managing the gardens and achieving the necessary balance. Horticultural maintenance, eco-sustainable principles and the demand for use needed to be considered.  For events, the balance was between the general users of the gardens and those attracted by special events. An events policy was being drawn up, with a zoning policy to enable different parts of the gardens to play to their strengths. For example, small scale events may be in front of the café, with high end income generating events possible behind the Royal Pavilion on the eastern façade. The income generated from such events would be used to cover maintenance costs.  Ms Bagshawe confirmed that further consultation would now be taking place on the plan.

52.2 Councillors then asked questions. It was asked whether the team were linked into the nature series of events run by City Parks: Ms Bagshawe replied she would look into this. Following a question about the feasibility of putting bee hives into the gardens, Ms Bagshawe also agreed to consider this and report back.  It was agreed that the events would need to be carefully assessed for their impact but that it could be an import way to generate income.  Once the headlines had been agreed then the criteria would be finalised. A question was asked about the reference to maintenance problems linked to the CCT and Ms Bagshawe replied this was some time ago but she would look into the problem. The term ‘Intellectual Access’ was explained as the understanding of gardens in the historic sense, for example, the historical context explains why the grass may be long.  The timetable for the Management and Maintenance plan was the next stage of consultation with stakeholders and to Cabinet Member Meeting in June 2010. In response to a question on events on the lawn by the café, Ms Bagshawe explained that this lawn was used frequently with many people passing through. In the future, links would be made with other open spaces in the city, for example, Preston Park would be a better venue for open theatre than the Pavilion Gardens.

52.3 Ms Bagshawe told the Committee that the Plan should make it easier to attract funding.  In response to a question on closing the gates, it was noted that this was not practical.

52.4 Councillors praised the scrutiny workshop and were pleased to see contributions reflected in the plan. The Chairman thanked Ms Bagshawe and the Committee agreed that their comments should be passed on to the Cabinet Member in due course.

52.5 RESOLVED: to ask that the Cabinet Member for Culture, Recreation and Tourism considers the comments and recommendations made by this Committee for the Garden Strategy.