Agenda and minutes

There were no Declarations of Interest to record.

The minutes of the previous meeting of the Cabinet Member for Culture and Tourism held on 12^th March, 2013, were considered.

Resolved: -  That the minutes of the previous meeting be agreed as an accurate record for signature by the Cabinet Member. 

·         Theatre and Arts Manager, Customer and Cultural Services, Environment and Development Services, to report. 

Minute Number F40 (Use of the Civic Theatre) of the meeting of the Former Cabinet Member for Lifelong Learning and Culture, held on 6^th December, 2011, agreed an application process for requests for subsidised use of the Civic Theatre for charitable purposes.  Consideration was now given to a report presented by the Theatre and Arts Service Manager, Customer and Cultural Services, Environment and Development Services, which outlined a request under this scheme received on behalf of Mr. M. Hill of Rotherham Arts Events. 

The application was a proposal to host the 1980s band ‘The Lambrettas’ at the Civic Theatre in support of Macmillan Cancer Care and Turning Point Social Care charities. 

A previous application received on behalf of Mr. Hill had been refused due to logistical issues within the submission (Minute Number F20 (Subsidised Use of the Civic Theatre), of the Cabinet Member for Culture and Tourism held on 4^th December, 2012, refers).  The applicant had since worked with the Service Manager to create a logistically acceptable application.

The submitted report included an estimate of the subsidy required and the risks and uncertainties associated with the proposal. 

Discussion ensued on the application and the following issues were raised: -

·         The proposed event did not conform to the current programme of the venue, but could potentially provide a new audience base at the Civic Theatre;

·         A growing number of musical performers appeared to prefer smaller venues to perform in due to the improved atmosphere.

Resolved: -  That the application received on behalf of Mr. M. Hill for subsidised use of the Civic Theatre, as outlined in the submitted report, be approved. 

·         Service Manager for Libraries and Customer Services, Customer and Cultural Services, Environment and Development Services, to report. 

Consideration was given to the report presented by the Customer and Cultural Services Manager, Planning and Regeneration, Environment and Development Services, which outlined a proposal to improve the display of books at Kimberworth Library.  The proposal was made in the light of the conclusion of the Library and Information Service Review and comments made during the associated public consultation. 

Following the conclusion of the Library and Information Service Review, decisions had been taken about the future of libraries across the Borough.  It had also become apparent from the associated assessment of need and from stakeholder consultation that the service needed to address inconsistencies in the standard of fit out and presentation within its libraries.

It was recognised that the customers who had previously used Kimberworth Park Library, which had now closed, may now visit Kimberworth Library, so it was proposed that this library be improved. 

Permission was sought to exempt Standing Order 47.6.3 (requirement to obtain at least three written quotations for contracts with an estimated value between £20, 000 and £50, 000) so that OpeningtheBook could be appointed to carry out necessary improvements at Kimberworth Library, including improving the layout and presentation of books.  The reason for the exemption from Standing Order 47.6.3 was based on required timescale and a desire to create a standard library design for Rotherham.  OpeningtheBook had previously proved on many occasions that they offered good value for money and provided high-quality experiences.  They had won multiple competitive tenders with RMBC, including for the recent fit out of Riverside Library and Heritage and Arts Space. 

The estimated cost of the proposal was £36, 000, and could be met within existing resources.  A revenue contribution would be made from the Environment and Development Services Directorate to the Local Authority’s Capital Programme. 

Discussion ensued on the proposal within the submitted report. 

Resolved: - (1)  That the proposal to improve the presentation of books and the layout of Kimberworth Library be approved. 

(2)  That an exemption from Standing Order 47.6.3 (requirement to obtain at least three written quotations for contracts with an estimated value between £20, 000 and £50, 000) be approved so that OpeningtheBook could be appointed to carry out the improvements specified in the submitted report.

(Subsequent to the meeting, His Worshipful The Mayor exempted this decision from the call-in procedure.)

·         Tuesday 23^rd April, 2013, to start at 10.00 am in the Rotherham Town Hall. 

Resolved: -  That the next meeting of the Cabinet Member for Culture and Tourism be held on Tuesday 23^rd April, 2013, to start at 10.00 am in the Rotherham Town Hall.