Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed members to the board meeting and thanked Lord Bew for joining them.

No declarations of interest were made.

Members approved the minutes of the last meeting.

Members noted that a response had not yet been received from the Culture Secretary of State following Cllr Rea’s letter regarding the 800^th anniversary of the Magna Carta.

Post Meeting note:

The Secretary of State’s response is attached at Annex A and officers are following up with the Ministry of Justice.

Cllrs Crisp, Organ and Henig requested that the attendance be amended to show they were present at the meeting.

Lord Bew welcomed the members of the Culture, Tourism and Sport Board to Portcullis House and thanked them for their support. The Speaker’s Advisory Group is working to ensure that the 800^th Anniversary of the Magna Carta has as much impact as possible.

Lord Bew said that both the Magna Carta and the De Montfort Parliament anniversaries are critical dates to celebrate as they are central to the evolution of our democracy. These anniversaries raise issues of national and local concern that, it is hoped; encourage discussions of rights, freedom and representation.

Caterina Loriggio, Senior Parliamentary Campaign Manager, discussed the role of her team in increasing public awareness and understanding of parliament and special anniversaries, working with Councils across the country.

Following the presentation, members discussed the opportunity to engage the whole country in the Magna Carta anniversary and supported the suggestion that LiberTeas (celebrations based on the 2012 street party model) was an excellent way to secure this wider engagement. Members also said that early communications was important.

Action

Copies of the presentation slides to be circulated to board members.

Laura Caton introduced the report which provided an analysis of the extent to which culture and the visitor economy feature on LEP agendas.

Culture, Tourism and Sport has good coverage on LEP agendas. This is improved in areas where there is a tangible asset and is patchier in Strategic Economic Plans because centrally imposed funding criteria prioritise transport, housing and infrastructure.

Members discussed the situation in their local areas and focused on ways to increase strategic recognition of Culture, Tourism and Sport such as working closely with the Treasury, DCLG and the LGA Environment, Economy, Housing and Transport Board.

In particular, members raised:

·         The importance of culture in and of itself being championed by LEPs

·         The impact of VAT on the industry

·         The need for best practice guidance on LEPs support of the visitor economy

Decision

Members agreed the next steps at paragraph 16 of the report.

Action

Officers to take forward the next steps in their work with LEPs.

Members discussed the latest situation ahead of the publication of Mr Sieghart’s review of public libraries.

Laura Caton introduced the report, which gave an update on the upcoming CTS Annual Conference.

Members discussed the addition of the Study Tours and speakers.

The Chair asked all board members to promote the annual conference to colleagues and peers. The Board thanked staff at the LGA and in Durham for their work in arranging annual conference.

Decision

Members noted the report.

Siraz Natha introduced the report which provided an update to members on the work being done, both locally and nationally, to create a physical activity legacy following the 2012 games.

Sport England has reported that the number of people undertaking 30 minutes of physical activity once a week has increased by 1.7 million since 2005. Councils are at the centre of driving increases in participation.

Members discussed:

·         Portfolio Holders events with Sport England

·         The ‘Moving More, Living More’ initiative

·         Public Health England Roadshows

·         Leadership Essentials programmes.

Members also took the opportunity to share best practice in their local areas.

Decision

Members noted the report.

Action

Members are encouraged to bring forward best practice from their local areas so that this information can be shared with the sector.

Laura Caton introduced the report which provided an update to members on meetings of outside bodies and taken by members since the last Board and until the end of the year.

Decisions

Members noted the report.

Members noted that the date of the Chair’s meeting with Ed Vaizey MP, Culture Minister, will take place on 14 January 2015.

Siraz Natha introduced the report which provided updates on tourism and visitor economy, heritage, broadband and digital inclusion and sport and physical activity.

Members discussed the LGA submission to the Historic England draft Corporate Plan.

Decision

Members noted the report.

Laura Caton introduced the report which detailed case studies of activities undertaken by councils to commemorate the First World War.

Members discussed the case studies in the report and further examples of commemoration from their local areas.

Decision

Members noted the report.

Action

Members are encouraged to bring forward best practice from their local areas so that this information can be shared with the sector via the LGA.

There was no other business.