Issue - meetings

AGREED that Cabinet:

a)        recognises the success of the National Portfolio Organisation application and that the agreed grant amount of £309,000 annually be added to the budget for the three years of the funding agreement from April 2023, to be drawn down from the Arts Council in stages, in line with their funding agreement;

b)        approve the addition of three new funded roles to the establishment for the three years of the funding agreement from April 2023;

c)        approve the establishment of an Independent Board, as previously agreed through Policy & Finance Committee in March 2022, to meet the requirements of the National Portfolio Organisation status;

d)        approve a Cabinet Working Group to be set up to oversee the development of a refreshed strategy for Heritage & Culture as outlined in the report;

e)        approve that a budget of £20,000 be set aside in 2023-24 to undertake an options appraisal to support delivery of an agreed future strategy for Heritage & Culture; and

f)         support the National Civil War Centre continuing to offer free entry to residents during school holidays and for key, targeted activity and events, supporting residents to access welcoming, engaging and warm spaces over the winter period through the cost of living crisis and to interact with our heritage and cultural offer.

The Portfolio Holder for Economic Development & Visitors presented a report which updated the Cabinet on Heritage & Culture’s successful application to become an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation, provided an update on the Business Unit’s recovery post-covid, and in light of the cost of living challenges, reflected on the continuing challenges in the heritage sector and its effect on the museum service.

Given the success of the National Portfolio Organisation process and the funding this would release, it was proposed to set up a working group of the Cabinet to oversee the development of a refreshed strategy for Heritage and Culture, setting out the strategic objectives and identifying opportunities and options for future service delivery.

AGREED (unanimously) that Cabinet:

a)        recognises the success of the National Portfolio Organisation application and that the agreed grant amount of £309,000 annually be added to the budget for the three years of the funding agreement from April 2023, to be drawn down from the Arts Council in stages, in line with their funding agreement;

b)        approve the addition of three new funded roles to the establishment for the three years of the funding agreement from April 2023;

c)        approve the establishment of an Independent Board, as previously agreed through Policy & Finance Committee in March 2022, to meet the requirements of the National Portfolio Organisation status;

d)        approve a Cabinet Working Group to be set up to oversee the development of a refreshed strategy for Heritage & Culture as outlined in the report;

e)        approve that a budget of £20,000 be set aside in 2023-24 to undertake an options appraisal to support delivery of an agreed future strategy for Heritage & Culture; and

f)         support the National Civil War Centre continuing to offer free entry to residents during school holidays and for key, targeted activity and events, supporting residents to access welcoming, engaging and warm spaces over the winter period through the cost of living crisis and to interact with our heritage and cultural offer.

Reasons for Decision

These recommendations align to the Community Plan by clearly defining and evaluating Heritage & Culture’s remit and scope to:

Deliver inclusive and sustainable economic growth through skills, educational development and the visitor economy;

Improve the health and wellbeing of residents by responding to their needs through cultural engagement and outreach; and

Create vibrant and self-sufficient local communities where residents actively contribute to their local area through co-creation via the NPO investment principles and activity. 

Options Considered

Do nothing, service delivery would continue, but this option does not acknowledge the challenge currently being seen in town centres and with visitor admissions and will therefore not enable a pro-active response to ensure our service remains relevant and fit for purpose and reflects value for money for the Council.