Agenda and draft minutes
PDF 106 KBVenue: Town Hall, Moorgate Street, Rotherham.
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Apologies for Absence Minutes: Apologies for absence were received from Stuart Lister, Ron Bye, Eileen Hyland, Michael Bishop, Councillor Jane Austen, Councillor Reg Littleboy, Joanne Edley and Christine Cox. |
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Minutes of the previous meeting Minutes: The minutes of the previous meeting held on 13th September, 2006 were received as a correct record. |
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Matters Arising Minutes: Walker Mausoleum
Phil Rogers, Head of Culture & Leisure gave an update report on the current situation with regard to the Walker Mausoleum.
RMBC and the owner had now signed a Legal Agreement to allow full access onto the site of the Mausoleum.
Work could now begin to re-assess the restoration work, seek grant aid, and compete the work.
In addition, it is hoped to carry out restoration works to the graveyard as soon as possible, which would involve local school children and Friends Group.
Three CranesBuilding
Roy Newman requested an update on the current situation with regard to the above building.
Agreed:- That Phil Rogers liaise with the Conservation Office in Economic and Development Services and write to Roy Newman explaining the present position. |
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Service Development Update Minutes: Phil Rogers, Head of Culture & Leisure gave an update on Service Development during August-October, 2006.
The meeting was informed that, following its recent inspection, the Audit Commission had rated Rotherham Borough Council’s culture and leisure facilities, such as libraries, museums, leisure centres, parks and open spaces, as a good two star service with promising prospects for improvement.
The report covered the following areas of service delivery:-
In addition, a powerpoint presentation was given showing the design, location and facilities which would be available in the development of four new Sport and Leisure Facilities across the Borough. These were - Aston, Wath, St. Ann’s (completed in 2008) and the Maltby Service Centre (completed in 2009).
All four new pools would replace old facilities which are moving towards closure.
As part of the planning process, Officers and Members had visited a similar model in Surrey which was well designed, well used and fit for purpose.
The meeting discussed:-
- funding issues - facilities for competition swimming - school swimming sessions
Agreed:- (1) That the report be received.
(2) That the presentation be received and the commencement of Projects on all sites be welcomed for the benefit of Rotherham residents. |
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Rotherham Cultural Diversity Festival 2006 Minutes: LizzyAlageswaran, Principal Officer Community Arts was welcomed to the meeting to give a presentation entitled “Diversity in Rotherham” which covered work on the Rotherham Cultural Diversity Festival 2006.
The presentation consisted of:-
- Background and Context - Response – Cultural Diversity Access Project - Community Exhibitions - Development of the Diversity Festival - Aims 2003 and 2005 - Cultural Diversity Festival – Programme - Lessons learnt/Evaluation - Next Steps - Aiming for Quality - Key Messages
The Festival Programme gave a wide representation of local cultural groups whose trust had been built up in a working in partnership.
One issue was the capacity of the community to continue with the work. Therefore work was constantly being undertaken throughout the year with a range of representatives on order to follow through art projects.
A successful bid for funding to the Arts Council England had obtained approximately £65,000 to be spent over a three year period.
The Cultural Diversity Festival 2006 had cost £20,000, not including staff time, and the team was constantly looking for funding to support the costs of the Community Arts Cultural Diversity Officer and the Cultural Diversity Festival year on year.
Discussion took place with regard to:-
o Sustainability and embedding of good practice o Sponsorship o Global Village All Year Round – a rolling programme of events o Involvement of community groups in Rotherham Show
The meeting was informed that Rotherham was held as a Model of Best Practice by the Arts Council England. The group who had co-ordinated the work of the Festival were all from Black and Ethnic Minority communities, and had covered a diverse interest group.
In addition, the Festival had included a wide range of musicians representing a variety of musical interests. All events and activities are quite diverse with no particular target community.
Agreed:- (1) That Lizzy Alageswaran be thanked for an interesting and informative presentation.
(2) That the Cultural Diversity Officer be thanked for the hard work.
(3) That Lizzy Alageswaran submit the presentation to the Cabinet Member, for Community Cohesion. |
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Representation of Black and Ethnic Minority Communities on the Cultural Consortium Minutes: In accordance with Minute No. 87 of the previous meeting held on 13th September, 2006, the meeting discussed a number of initiatives aimed at attracting a wider membership from the Black and Ethnic Minority communities on to this Committee.
The meeting debated this issue and the following considerations were put forward:-
The point was made that it would not be possible to invite one member of the Steering Group to form the membership of this Cultural Consortium in view of the diverse range of interests and cultures to be represented.
Agreed:- (1) That Lizzy Alageswaran place an article in a future publication of the “Muse” newsletter which is sent to several groups mentioned, drawing attention to the work of this Committee and pointed out the value of networking.
(2) That Lizzy Alageswaran or Trevor Kippax advise Councillor St. John of an appropriate date to attend a future meeting of a Steering Group to talk about the work of the Cultural Consortium. |
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Rotherham Active Partnership Minutes: The meeting welcomed Jackie Thornhill, Manager, Sports and Physical Activity to give an update on the work of the Rotherham Active Partnership.
Jackie Thornhill gave a background to the initiative which had followed the publication of the Government Game Plan in 2002. Sport England had then produced a Yorkshire Plan for sport in 2004, one of the targets being to create 28 Community Support Networks (CSN) by December, 2006.
Information was given with regard to a Government initiative to try and align sport, as follows:-
A Rotherham Action Plan had been launched in Rotherham in April, 2006. Eighty people had attended, many of whom had signed up to the partnership and its aims, representing the public, voluntary and private sectors.
An Interim Terms of Reference had recently been agreed and work was at a strategic level, the Rotherham Active Partnership having recently formed its own Committee.
One area of work was to involve people who represented the diverse groups.
Five main objectives had been agreed which aligned to the Community Strategy and objectives of the organisations involved.
The group had agreed its main focus which it was felt should be – (a) commissioning funding and (b) marketing and communication.
With regard to CSN’s, Rotherham Active Partnership would influence the way Sport England Community Investment Funding is spent and, along with other partnerships, would be asked to support funding applications that meet local objectives. Sport England will be looking to RAP for guidance to ensure that where an organisation applied for funding either direct to RAP or direct to Sport England, it meets Rotherham priorities.
In addition, RAP will influence the Rotherham Active Network who would be the partnership sub-group which will be the link for other groups, for example Disability Groups.
A successful Cultural Sports Conference had taken place and partnerships are talking of an annual event to communicate sport and physical activity across Rotherham.
In response to questions raised with regard to communicating to groups, the meeting was informed that the RAP sought to (a) encourage groups to communicate better and make them more aware and (b) be a resource to those groups.
One member commented on the RAP and similar Government initiatives, one of their main advantages being the benefit of funding.
Agreed:- That Jackie Thornhill be thanked for an interesting and informative presentation. |
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Rotherham Public Art Programme Minutes: The meeting welcomed Jennifer Booth, Public Arts Officer, who gave a presentation on the Rotherham Public Art and Business Programme.
The presentation covered the following areas:-
- Why invest? - What is Public Art? - Why Get Involved? - Benefits - Case Studies
The meeting was informed of a definition of public art - “any work of visual art or craft produced by an artist or craftsperson and sited in a location that is freely accessible to the public”.
It may be new work commissioned specifically for a particular site, or a work sited in a public place but not necessarily created for that location.
It may be made by an individual artist or as a result of a collaborative process involving other design professionals, such as architects, urban planners or landscape designers, and members of a local community.
Public artwork can contribute to a new architectural or landscape development, it can be incorporated into a wide range of projects – playground designs, signage, street furniture, lighting schemes and internal detailing of a building, its furniture, flooring or even its crockery.
The meeting was informed of a number of key areas of work which Jennifer had been involved in within the Borough, which had involved consultation through The Big Screen and Rotherham Show and inclusion of public artworks within the development of planned new leisure facilities.
Projects include Section 106 agreement supported projects in Kiveton and Laughton Common and Gateway funded features in Meadowbank, Canklow and Swinton.
The role of Public Arts Officer was about finding funds to support initiatives which are happening both within and outside RMBC.
Discussion took place on the following issues:-
- differences between modern and pre-modern artwork - Lack of “identity” for Rotherham in relation to artwork at gateway sites - Local, National and International artwork – examples given - Tactile artwork - Maintenance and assimilation of public art - Risk-taking
Jennifer was of the view that people should build on the success of recent Gateway artwork within the Borough and, in general, take chances with ideas and accept that mistakes will be made as part of the process of making public art work.
Agreed:- That Jennifer be thanked for an interesting and informative presentation. |
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Cultural Conference 2007 Minutes: Tony Preston gave a verbal update on proposals for the Cultural Conference 2007.
The meeting was asked to give their views on whether they wished a 5th Cultural Conference to be arranged, and, if so, what the content should consist of.
LizzyAlageswaran suggested that in view of the present restructuring exercise, and in order to achieve a consistent approach and organise an exciting event, it seemed appropriate to work with partners within Economic and Development Services and RIDO to develop a conference themed around public art and the wider public realm.
This would include issues raised earlier in the meeting with regard to consultation with other groups/organisations, work within the town centre, Westgate Demonstrator, Gateway Project, and some public art initiatives in terms of Gateway features, in order for the theme of the Cultural Conference to include public initiatives.
Comments were made with regard to:-
- Rotherham Bus Station Screens - Rotherham underpass designs - Need for a heritage of Public Art - Keppels Column - Public Arts related to Sports - Need to include practical demonstration of work
One member asked that the content of the Cultural Conference embrace all the interest groups within this Cultural Consortium.
Agreed:- That a Cultural Conference be arranged for 2007 along the lines of the discussion at this meeting. |
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Any other business Minutes: Tony Preston
Phil Rogers, Head of Culture and Leisure reported that Tony Preston was to retire early next year.
Agreed:- That Tony Preston be thanked for all his work on the Rotherham Cultural Consortium committee and that the best wishes of everyone present be extended to Tony for his future life, plans and happiness. |
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Date of next meeting Minutes: Agreed:- That the next meeting be held on Wednesday, 14th March, 2007 at 2.00 p.m. |