Agenda for Culture, Recreation & Tourism Cabinet Member Meeting on Tuesday, 10th February, 2009, 4.00pm
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Agenda, decisions and minutes
PDF 212 KBVenue: Committee Room 3, Hove Town Hall. View directions
Contact: Caroline De Marco, Democratic Services Officer
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Procedural Business
(b) Exclusion of Press and Public - To consider whether, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted, or the nature of the proceedings, the press and public should be excluded from the meeting when any of the following items are under consideration.
NOTE: Any item appearing in Part 2 of the Agenda states in its heading either that it is confidential or the category under which the information disclosed in the report is exempt from disclosure and therefore not available to the public.
A list and description of the categories of exempt information is available for public inspection at Brighton and Hove Town Halls.
Minutes: 70a Declarations of Interests
70.1 There were none.
70b Exclusion of Press and Public
70.2 In accordance with section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 (the Act), the Cabinet Member for Culture, Recreation and Tourism considered whether the press and public should be excluded from the meeting during an item of business on the grounds that it was likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the press or public were present during that item, there would be disclosure to them of confidential information (as defined in section 100A(3) of the Act) or exempt information (as defined in section 100(I) of the Act).
70.3 RESOLVED - That the press and public be not excluded from the meeting.
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Minutes of the previous meetings Minutes of the Meetings held on (a) 9 December 2008 and (b) 20 January 2009 (copies attached). Additional documents: Minutes: 71.1 Councillor Davis referred to paragraph 67.8 of the minutes of 20 January 2009 and asked if the sustainability report which was to be submitted to the Culture Tourism and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee had been delayed? The Director of Cultural Services replied that this report was on the forward plan for April 2009 but he would check on this matter and report back to Councillor Davis.
71.2 RESOLVED - That the minutes of the Culture, Recreation and Tourism Cabinet Member Meetings held on 9 December 2008 and 20 January 2009 be agreed and signed by the Cabinet Member.
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Cabinet Member's Communications Minutes: National Indicator 11 – Engagement in the Arts Brighton & Hove
72.1 The Cabinet Member reported that Brighton & Hove was officially one of the most actively cultural cities in the UK. More residents over 16 took part or attended arts events here each year than anywhere in the country outside London.
72.2 Brighton & Hove selected ‘NI 11 Engagement in the Arts’ as one of their 35 National Indicators. NI 11 measured the percentage of adults in a LA area who have attended an arts event or participated in an arts activity at least three times in the past 12 months in their leisure time. The survey related to people aged 16 and above.
72.3 A national Active People Survey 2 took place in October 2008 asking adults in the 150 Local Authority areas whether they had attended an arts event or participated in an arts activity in the previous 12 months in order to provide a baseline for measuring performance.
72.4 From this survey, Brighton & Hove had a current level of adult engagement in the arts of 61.2% This meant the city is in the top decile for engagement in the arts and had: § The highest level nationally outside London § The 7th highest out of 150 local authorities § The highest level, by far, of all of the 24 LAs nationally that have selected NI 11 § The highest level in the South East region
72.5 Brighton & Hove would be expected to demonstrate a 3% increase by the final assessment in October 2010 and demonstrate an engagement level of 64.2%. There would be an interim measurement in October 2009 that would indicate progress.
72.6 A separate national analysis published by ACE in November 2008 in advance of the release of the Active People baseline data predicted Brighton & Hove would be two deciles lower than it actually was. The Cabinet Member reported that this meant that the sector was reaching people that would not normally engage with the arts and was further proof of the quality and vibrancy of the cultural offer to residents and visitors.
Request for Return of Human Remains to Australia 72.7 The Cabinet Member reported that he had received a letter from the Australian Government which informed him that a delegation from the Ngarrindjeri community would be visiting Oxford later this year. The Cabinet Member had agreed to meet with the delegation before this matter was considered at the Cabinet Member Meeting. Therefore, the report on this matter would be deferred. Active for Life Directory Launch 72.8 The Cabinet Member reported that the Active for Life Directory Launch was held recently in Churchill Square and had been a great success. Active for Life was encouraging the public to get involved with sport and recreational activities. Royal Pavilion
72.9 The Cabinet Member reported that he had visited the Royal Pavilion this week to thank staff for their hard work during the recent closure when renovation works were carried out. He had never seen so many visitors in the Pavilion on a Saturday. |
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Items reserved for discussion (a) Items reserved by the Cabinet Member
(b) Items reserved by the Opposition Spokesperson
(c) Items reserved by Members, with the agreement of the Cabinet Member.
NOTE: Public Questions, Written Questions form Councillors, Petitions, Deputations, Letters from Councillors and Notices of Motion will be reserved automatically. Minutes: 73.1 RESOLVED – That Item 81 be reserved for discussion.
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Report of the Director of Strategy & Governance (copy attached).
Minutes: 74(i) Petition – Hove Library Opening Hours
74.1 The Cabinet Member considered the following petition presented at Council on 4 December by Councillor Elgood and signed by 50 people:
“We the undersigned call on Brighton & Hove City Council to open Hove Library on Sundays.”
74.2 Councillor Elgood attended the meeting and was pleased to note that Hove Library would be opening for half a day on Mondays. However, he would like this to be extended to Sundays. Sunday was a good time for families to enjoy the resources. It was a shame to close the library on a day that could be the busiest day of the week.
74.3 The Cabinet Member reported that he was pleased to find that so many people were enthusiastic about their library services, and keen to see their local libraries extend their opening hours and improve their book stocks. The Libraries Plan, which was unanimously supported at full council last month, had set out the commitment to continue to improve the city’s Libraries Services, including reviewing community libraries opening hours and seeking ways to increase the number of books bought. At the Council meeting the Cabinet Member was very pleased to announce the proposal to increase the opening hours at Hove Library by opening on Monday afternoons. This improvement would include the expansion of children's services at Hove Library with introduction of a Homework Club.
73.4 The public access computer facilities across all the city’s public libraries suffered a major server failure on 23 December, and were returned to full working order on 20 January, with a partial service being available in all libraries from 15 January. As most of this time was across the holiday period, the number of public access days lost was relatively low. As it was a council server that failed, there was no third party from which the council could claim compensation. The council very much regretted the disruption to services, and IT and Libraries staff had worked hard to restore the system as quickly as possible.
74.5 RESOLVED – That the petition be noted.
74(ii) Petition – Hove Library Opening Hours
74.6 The Cabinet Member
considered the following petition presented at Council on 29
January by Councillor Davis and signed by 50 people:
74.7For response see paragraphs 74.3 and 74.4 above.
74.8 RESOLVED – That the petition be noted.
74(iii) Petition – Opening Hours and book stock – Portslade and Hangleton Libraries
74.9 The Cabinet Member considered the following petition presented at Council on 29 January by Councillor Hamilton and signed by 72 people:
“We urge the Council to increase the opening hours and book stock of Portslade and Hangleton libraries forthwith.”
74.10For response see paragraphs 74.3 and 74.4 above.
74.11 RESOLVED – That the petition be noted.
74(iv) Petition – Branch library book stocks and mobile library service
74.12 The Cabinet Member considered the following petition presented at Council on 29 January by Councillor Carden and signed by 56 people:
“We, Portslade residents wish to state that the branch libraries are a vital part of life and should contain more books and that there should be no cuts to the mobile library service.”
74.13For response see paragraphs 74.3 and 74.4 above.
74.14 RESOLVED – That the petition be noted.
74(v) Petition – Increase in stock and opening hours of Whitehawk and Rottingdean Libraries
74.15 To receive the following petition presented at Council on 29 January by Councillor Turton and signed by 85 people:
“We, the undersigned urge the Council to increase the stock and opening hours of White hawk and Rottingdean Libraries as they are an increasingly valuable resource in these times.”
74.16 For response see paragraphs 74.3 and 74.4 above.
74.17 RESOLVED – That the petition be noted.
74(vi) To receive the following petition presented at Council on 29 January by Councillor Bennett and signed by 49 people:
“We, the undersigned Stanford residents ask the Council to open Hove Library on a Monday and increase the library provision in our area.”
74.18 For response see paragraphs 74.3 and 74.4 above.
74.19 RESOLVED – That the petition be noted.
74(vii) To receive the following petition presented at Council on 29 January by Councillor Wells and signed by 88 people:
“As residents of Woodingdean, we call upon the Council to honour our part in the city’s life by opening our library for longer and increasing its stock before much more of the twenty-first century has slipped by.”
74.20 For response see paragraphs 74.3 and 74.4 above.
74.21 RESOLVED – That the petition be noted.
74(viii)To receive the following petition presented at Council on 29 January by Councillor Allen and signed by 51 people:
“We request the Council to give a full and frank explanation of the prolonged breakdown of all the computers in the library service and to spend the compensation money on more books.”
74.22 For response see paragraphs 74.3 and 74.4 above.
74.23 RESOLVED – That the petition be noted.
74(ix) To receive the following petition presented at Council on 29 January by Councillor Randall on behalf of Councillor Taylor and signed by 92 people:
“We call upon the Council to make a significant and elegant increase to the shelving in the Jubilee Library so that it looks more like a library.”
74.24 For response see paragraphs 74.3 and 74.4 above.
74.25 RESOLVED – That the petition be noted. |
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Public Questions (The closing date for receipt of public questions is 12 noon on 3 February 2009)
No public questions received by date of publication. Minutes: 75.1 There were none.
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Deputations (The closing date for receipt of deputations is 12 noon on 3 February 2009)
No deputations received by date of publication. Minutes: 76.1 There were none.
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Letters from Councillors No letters have been received.
Minutes: 77.1 There were none.
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Written Questions from Councillors Foredown Tower – Written question from Councillor Davis (copy attached). Minutes: 78.1 The Cabinet Member reported that one written question had been received from Councillor Davis as follows:-
“Could the Cabinet Member update me on the Foredown Tower in relation to negotiations with the Sea Cadets for use and upkeep of the building, the application for Heritage Lottery funding and plans for the centenary celebrations this year.”
78.2 The Cabinet Member reported that Councillor Davis had been updated on the latest position at the Culture Tourism and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 5 February 2009 as follows:-
Hove and Adur Sea Cadets 78.3 Meetings have been held with the Hove and Adur Sea Cadets to draw up Heads of Terms for the lease of the Tower. These would be sent by the City Council to the Sea Cadets in the next few weeks.
78.4 Mike Feist had joined the management committee of the Hove and Adur Sea Cadets and was able to provide advice on the Tower as a visitor facility. It was the intention of the Cadets to open the Tower as a visitor attraction as well as use it as their base for sea cadet training activities.
78.5 The council and the Sea Cadets were continuing to look into the feasibility for the establishment of a Community Trust for the Tower.
Astronomy 78.6 The Foredown Tower Astronomy groups, which was an adult education class had now established itself as an astronomical society, Foredown Tower Astronomers. It had its inaugural meeting at the Tower on 15th January and now meets at the Tower every Thursday of the month. It would continue to meet at the Tower under the new arrangements with the cadets.
Centenary 78.7 The Tower would be opening to the public at the beginning of March. A weekend event to mark the centenary was being planned for August and details for event were being worked out at present. The Royal Pavilion and Museums was planning to work with the rangers and local historians, amongst others on this event.
78.8 The Astronomers were planning a series of monthly events to mark the Tower’s centenary and the International Year of Astronomy. These events were being publicised through the museums’ service publicity. There would also be a programme of family activities during 2009 which would mark the centenary of the Tower.
78.9 Councillor Davis asked about progress on the negotiations for the lease of the Foredown Tower. The Principal Solicitor explained that he and the Head of Museums & Royal Pavilion had met with the council’s internal estates team to discuss the Heads of Terms. He was waiting for amendments to clarify points from the estates team. The Sea Cadets had appointed a lawyer to represent them. Discussions had gone well with the Sea Cadets. It had been agreed by a previous Cabinet Member Meeting that there could be temporary use by the Sea Cadets.
78.10 Councillor Davis asked for clarification on the application to the Lottery Fund. The Director replied that following an application to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), the Fund had raised some concerns about capacity to deliver a one year programme, particularly alongside the “My Pavilion” heritage project. It had been decided to work with Sea Cadets on a 3 year plan for a revised Heritage Lottery Bid. |
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Notices of Motions No Notices of Motion have been received by date of publication.
Minutes: 79.1 There were none.
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Request for Return of Human Remains to Australia
Report of Director of Cultural Services (copy attached).
Additional documents: Minutes: 80.1 It had been noted under Chairman’s Communications that a decision on this item had been deferred to a Cabinet Member Meeting later in the year. (See Paragraph 72.7). |
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Proposal to Introduce a "Greeter Scheme" to the City Report of Director of Cultural Services (copy attached).
Decision: (1) That the Destination Manager be instructed to undertake detailed research on implementing a “Greeter Scheme” within the city, and present the detailed options to a Cabinet Member Meeting during the summer 2009.
Minutes: 81.1 The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Director of Cultural Services which explained that a “Greeter Scheme” was a voluntary scheme which welcomed visitors to the city in a unique way, by recruiting local residents who were passionate and knowledgeable about the city to volunteer and conduct free tours (for copy see minute book). The 2008 Tourism Strategy made a specific recommendation for the implementation of a Greeter Scheme. The scheme would improve visitor experience, improve visitor welcome, engage local people in the benefit of tourism and increase take up of local people in the benefit of tourism and increase take up of local public transport.
81.2 The Head of Tourism informed the Cabinet Member that the Greeter Scheme was a great opportunity, should work very well in Brighton & Hove and was relatively low cost. The Destination Manager explained that the “Greeter Scheme” had been founded in 1992 in New York. Greeters could be recruited from people who were knowledgeable and passionate about the city such as members of historical societies.
81.3 Councillor Davis asked how the “Greeters” would be recruited. The Head of Tourism replied that the local media would be used to communicate the nature of the scheme. Officers had already engaged with organisations and societies connected with the Blue Plaque Scheme.
81.4 RESOLVED - That the Destination Manager be instructed to undertake detailed research on implementing a “Greeter Scheme” within the city, and present the detailed options to a Cabinet Member Meeting during the summer 2009.
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