Issue - meetings

The Cultural Enquiry for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole has been published, recommending we “utilise its three themes – talent, infrastructure and quality of place – to mobilise a new era of partnership and co-investment.”

In support of the recommendations, and of the development of a Cultural Collective, cultural vision, cultural strategy and implementation plan, the Council has at the recommendation of the Deputy Leader approved an additional investment in arts and culture (generally abbreviated here as culture) of £150k in 2020/21, with an additional budget request of £320k in 2022/23.

The £150k will support key actions of the Corporate Strategy, the Local Industrial Strategy, the emerging Local Plan and Destination and Tourism Strategy.

BCP Council funds six independent arts and heritage organisations to deliver cultural services for residents and visitors in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. This funding enables them to deliver community-focused activity which supports the Corporate Strategy. A three-year funding settlement, for these organisations, guaranteeing no reduction in funding, would better enable them to plan and to apply for external funding than recent annual settlements have allowed.

Arts Council England’s new ten-year strategy “Let’s Create” emphasises the importance of wide community participation in culture and is in tune with our belief it embraces all aspects of creative life, from popular to high culture.

RESOLVED that:-

(a)          Cabinet accepts the findings and recommendations of the Cultural Enquiry and supports their implementation.

(b)          Cabinet supports the plan to hold “A Cultural Future for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole” conference at Lighthouse Poole.

(c)          Cabinet agrees that a cultural strategy and implantation plan for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole should be developed as a joint initiative of BCP Council and the Cultural Collective.

(d)          Cabinet agrees to openly recruit an independent chair of the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Cultural Collective (Cultural Compact) and form a multi-sector board and wider stakeholder group to deliver on the recommendations of the Cultural Enquiry.

(e)          Cabinet agrees a three-year standstill settlement (2020-23) for the six funded arts and heritage organisations operating in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

(f)            We bring a review back in 12 months which looks at how the work is delivering against the Corporate Plans and Delivery Plans.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Regeneration and Culture

Reason

To enable BCP Council, the Cultural Collective and local arts and heritage organisations to deliver on the recommendations of the Cultural Enquiry and the priorities of the Corporate Strategy.

The Leader presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'C' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet were requested to consider and accept the findings and recommendations of the Cultural Enquiry to enable BCP Council, the Cultural Collective and local arts and heritage organisations to deliver on the recommendations of the Cultural Enquiry and the priorities of the Corporate Strategy.

The Vice Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Board addressed Cabinet advising that at the recent Board meeting the Board had requested that an update report be provided in 12 months, to provide an overview of how effective the strategy has been in meeting its aims; and for this report to include as measures of effectiveness an assessment of how the strategy has assisted in tackling anti-social behaviour and in engaging with harder to reach groups in our communities.

In addition the Vice Chairman raised concerns as to whether this was the best use of BCP Council money at this particular time.

A Councillor addressed Cabinet highlighting that this could help bring people together following forthcoming isolation.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance read a statement out from the Lighthouse highlighting the intentions for the future.

Cabinet Members spoke in support of the report highlighting the benefits. In addition the Leader proposed an additional recommendation to address the comments from the Overview and Scrutiny Board.

RESOLVED that:-

(a)          Cabinet accepts the findings and recommendations of the Cultural Enquiry and supports their implementation;

(b)          Cabinet supports the plan to hold “A Cultural Future for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole” conference at Lighthouse Poole;

(c)          Cabinet agrees that a cultural strategy and implantation plan for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole should be developed as a joint initiative of BCP Council and the Cultural Collective;

(d)          Cabinet agrees to openly recruit an independent chair of the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Cultural Collective (Cultural Compact) and form a multi-sector board and wider stakeholder group to deliver on the recommendations of the Cultural Enquiry;

(e)          Cabinet agrees a three-year standstill settlement (2020-23) for the six funded arts and heritage organisations operating in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole; and

(f)            We bring a review back in 12 months which looks at how the work is delivering against the Corporate Plans and Delivery Plans.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Regeneration and Culture

To consider the following regeneration related reports scheduled for Cabinet consideration on 18 March 2020:

·       Wessex Fields Site Development Strategy

·       Arts and Cultural Development in Bournemouth

The O&S Board is asked to scrutinise the reports and make recommendations to Cabinet as appropriate.

Cabinet members invited to attend for these items: Councillor Mark Howell, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Culture and Councillor Andy Hadley, Portfolio Holder for Transport and Infrastructure.

The Cabinet report will be published on Tuesday 10 March 2020 and available to view at the following link: https://democracy.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=285&MId=3727&Ver=4

Wessex Fields Site Development Strategy – The Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Culture was not available for questions. The Portfolio Holder for Transport and Infrastructure introduced the report, a copy of which had been circulated and which appears as Appendix B to the Cabinet minutes of 18 March 2020 in the Minute Book. The Portfolio Holder advised that there were both positive and negative themes outlined. The Council were now looking at viable options to take those key themes forward. A number of points were raised by the Board including:

·     A Councillor commented that he was present at one of the events, which was well attended, and he thought it was a great way to reach out to the public. The officers at the public event provided information on the transfer from one plan to another. The focus of the events was not on transportation but on other areas such as environment, affordable housing and the hospital provided plans for a ‘living lab’.

·     Key worker housing and access to the roads. A Councillor commented that 300 key worker homes would require significant infrastructure to access the site. The Portfolio Holder advised that the consultation process was very much around land use. Discussions with the hospital were ongoing about access to the site for staff and ambulances. Access requirements would be part of the future development.

·     A Councillor asked about the Administration’s view of the development following the positive feedback from the survey. The Board was advised that the outcome of the public events showed differing opinions around the access road, there was a need to look at sustainable transport for the whole area, for example a foot and cycle bridge to Christchurch to improve access. The Cabinet’s view had not changed since previously presented.

·     Further issues were raised within the ward concerning traffic and routes around that area and the impact that any development would have. A Councillor commented that more people were in favour of the road transport scheme than against it, 30% vs 25%.

·     A Board member asked how the outcome of the recent consultation compared to the previous consultation. The original issues were from people responding to the planning consent for the previous scheme. The Portfolio Holder advised that an acceptable scheme needed to be drawn up from the outcome of the most recent consultation. With regards to transport the specific measures outlined in the report, Deansleigh access road, was supported by 6 percent and not supported by 12 percent.

·     Further queries were raised regarding a pass around the underpass to access but there was now a need to work up how the desired land use would be supported by a transport scheme, which reflected the views of residents.

·     In response to a question the Board was advised that a ‘living lab’ was a concept from Bournemouth University biological engineering and biological science related to health and social care.

·     In response to a question regarding what was meant by key workers the Portfolio Holder explained that these  ...  view the full minutes text for item 144