Agenda and minutes

There were no Declarations of Interest to record. 

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 9^th July, 2013, were considered. 

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

Consideration was given to the report presented by the Theatre and Arts Manager (Customer and Cultural Services, Planning and Regeneration, Environment and Development Services) that outlined an application for subsidised use of the Civic Theatre on behalf of the Rotherham Amateur Repertory Company, known as ‘Rotherham Rep’.

The Cabinet Member had previously agreed a scheme whereby organisations could apply for subsidised use of the Civic Theatre to raise money for charitable aims (Minute No. F40 of the Former Cabinet Member for Lifelong Learning and Culture, held on 6^th December, 2011, refers). 

The application requested subsidised use of the Civic Theatre on one evening to produce a variety-style performance including drama, song and dance.  ‘Rotherham Rep’ would use one evening from their annual scheduled five-weeks’ of productions at the Civic Theatre to perform a tribute to Stuart Lister.  Stuart had been a member of the organisation who had regularly performed, directed and produced plays, in addition to having many friends and family, connections and interests across Rotherham.  He had tragically died from a heart attack at the age of 67 in May, 2013.  It was proposed that the proceeds made from the performance would be donated to Rotherham Young Carers and to create a charity/trust fund to support local businesses in Rotherham to gain access to defibrillators, and to train staff in their use. 

A subsidy of £792.60 would be required to support the production of the event.  During the 2013/2014 financial year, four events had been subsidised and from the 2013/2014 total budget allocation of £5,000 there would be a remainder of £218.70 if this application was approved. 

The Theatre and Arts Manager was in support of the application as received and believed it to be a realistic, achievable and worthwhile event to allow subsidised use of the Civic Theatre. 

The Theatre and Arts Manager also provided feedback about how previous and forthcoming productions supported through subsidised use of the Civic Theatre had operated.  One production donated proceeds to Rotherham Hospice had raised £2,686.  The production company had thanked the Council for the opportunity. 

Discussion ensued on the application as received. 

Resolved: -  That the application for subsidised use of the Civic Theatre received from Elliot Montgomery on behalf of Rotherham Amateur Repertory Company (‘Rotherham Rep’) be approved.

Consideration was given to the report presented by the Customer and Cultural Services Manager (Planning and Regeneration, Environment and Development Services) that requested an exemption from Standing Order 47.6.3 (the requirement to invite three written quotations for contracts valued between £20,000 and £50,000) to contract a specific Conservation Architect to undertake remedial repair works to the Glass Cone at Catcliffe. 

The Glass Cone at Catcliffe had been classed as a Grade One listed building and a Scheduled Ancient Monument.  The Cone was closed to the public in 2006 and the following year a full conservation assessment was carried out by Paul Hewitt, Conservation Architect, which summarised that an overall budget for the works (at a projected date of 2009/2010) was £641,000.

This report advised that some emergency repair works were needed to the top of the Cone where, due to water ingress and exposure to the elements, the upper twenty courses of brickwork had become loose.  The upper sections of the brickwork also need to be replaced and re-pointed.

Due to the nature of the work needed to be undertaken, it had now become essential that it commenced as soon as possible on health and safety grounds, and before the weather deteriorated for the winter.

Heritage Services had worked with the Conservation Architect, Paul Hewitt in the past on several projects including the refurbishment of Clifton Park Museum and the restoration of Boston Castle, both had been very successful.  It was now proposed that Paul Hewitt be appointed to undertake the necessary remedial works required to the Glass Cone at Catcliffe. 

A total of £47,194 had been previously approved from the Capital Expenditure Programme to carry out this essential health and safety work and was still available.

The Cabinet Member was requested to exempt Standing Order 47.6.3 (the requirement to invite three written quotations for contracts valued between £20,000 and £50,000) so that Paul Hewitt, Conservation Architect, could be appointed to undertake the necessary works in the required timescale. 

Discussion ensued on the proposal presented: -

·           Communicating with local residents who lived near to the Glass Cone to inform them of the repair works and expected timescales;

·           History of the Glass Cone and how members of the public had been able to access it in the past;

·           Prevention measures, health and safety risks and reputational issues relating to the need to undertake the repair works within the short-term.

Resolved: - That Standing Order 47.6.3 (the requirement to invite three written quotations for contracts valued between £20,000 and £50,000) be exempted  and the contract for the health and safety work on Catcliffe Glass Cone be awarded as detailed in the submitted report. 

·         Tuesday 8^th October, 2013, to start at 10.00 a.m. in the Rotherham Town Hall. 

Resolved: -  That the next meeting of the Cabinet Member for Culture and Tourism take place on Tuesday 8^th October, 2013, to start at 10.00 a.m. in the Rotherham Town Hall.