LGA Governance


Agenda and minutes

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Online via Microsoft Teams

Contact: Emma West  Email: emma.west@local.gov.uk /

Items
No. Item

1.

Chair's Welcome, Apologies and Substitutes and Declarations of Interest

Minutes:

The Chairman welcomed Members, officers, and guests to the meeting.

 

Apologies had been received from Cllrs Nick Worth, Jacqueline Burnett, Cath Homer, Brigid Jones and Karen Rampton.

 

Cllr David Jeffels attended the meeting as a substitute.

 

No declarations of interest had been received.

 

2.

Minutes of the last meetings (includes extraordinary meeting)

Minutes:

The minutes of the meetings held on 17 March 2021 and 24 March 2021 were agreed as an accurate record.

 

Action:

 

  • With regards to the first action point within the ‘Support for Councils on Leisure Services’ item, which was submitted to the CTS Board meeting on 17 March, officers agreed to re-circulate information related to Leisure Services to Cllr Julian German.

 

3.

Theatres Trust (presentation)

Minutes:

The Chair welcomed Jon Morgan, Director – Theatres Trust, to the meeting and invited him to present to the Board.

 

Jon provided a brief introduction to Theatres Trust and updated Members of the Board on what work could be undertaken locally, the aims and objectives of Theatres Trust, the current state of theatres, post-covid and long-term concerns, ongoing projects, and government’s planning white paper. He stated that he could provide additional information to Members of the Board outside of the meeting in relation to research findings.

 

Members made the following comments:

 

  • We must continue to do all that we can to support the re-opening of theatres post-Covid as they contribute significantly to local economies.

 

  • In many areas, there are concerns which relate to the re-opening phase of performance venues of all sizes regarding capital and revenue funding. Are you having conversations with government about the potential bringing forward of legislation to protect companies from creditors? We need some sort of legislative protection over the next 12 months.

 

  • With regards to theatres and other performance venues that are currently at risk of closure, do Theatres Trust keep an ‘at risk’ register? And are Theatres Trust in conversation with Arts Council/Mayors in relation to support for at risk venues?

 

  • In light of the current financial pressures across the country, Theatres need to reach diverse and disadvantaged communities and promote the services that they provide.

 

  • Government need to consider all aspects of theatre. It’s not just the act, it’s about the enjoyment which contributes to mental health and wellbeing.

 

  • Cllr German suggested that reference to support for theatres be included in the recommendations for item 4 (Arts Council England’s Delivery Plans).

 

  • Board Members agreed that they would continue to lobby government in relation to the planning white paper.

 

Jon responded to the comments made by Board Members:

 

  • At the moment, there are no conversations taking place with regards to government bringing forward protection legislation, but it’s an interesting area to explore in the future. We are aware that protection of commercial leases will soon come to an end, amongst others. Any data that Board Members could supply in relation to the protection of commercial leases would be welcomed.

 

  • It has been inspiring to see the number of theatres that have repurposed their activity in the past year through community engagement.

 

  • We keep a Theatres in Crisis list and at Theatres at Risk list, local authorities are always contacted when theatres are at risk and we work with the Culture and Risk team at the GLA regularly.

 

  • I can share our submission with Board Members in relation to government’s planning white paper if useful. I’m optimistic that we can inject good provision into the paper for cultural services and ensure that it is promoted and protected.

 

Decision:

 

  • Board Members noted the report.

 

4.

Arts Council England's (ACE) Delivery Plans pdf icon PDF 461 KB

Minutes:

The Chair invited Lauren Lucas, Adviser, to introduce the report.

 

Lauren introduced the report which highlighted the key aspects of Arts Council England’s new delivery plan, which set out how ACE would  deliver the objectives of their ten-year strategy ‘Let’s Create’, published in early 2020, prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. In relation to Cllr German’s point in item 3 (Theatres Trust presentation), Lauren provided reassurance and confirmed that all of the planning submissions that Theatres Trust had been making had been received and passed onto the LGA’s Planning department.

 

Board Members made the following comments:

 

  • Within the papers of an Arts Council Board that I attended this morning, the new delivery plan was explicit in revising the shared statement of purpose with the LGA.

 

  • It would be interesting to hear more from the Arts Council in relation to their EDI work and share best practice.

 

  • Cllr Coghill had attended an Arts Council Regional Board recently and fed back to Board Members: An excellent discussion took place and the Board got to the heart of matters. The relationship is very positive and helpful. The Board is really welcoming a focus on diversity, gender pay gap and disability issues. Although I am concerned that accessibility-related issues may get lost so I wanted to raise it through this Board.

 

  • In relation to improvement work within the LGA, does that involve LGA peers? Are there any cultural specialists within that group of cultural specialist leaders?

 

  • Lack of collaboration is not the main issue, it’s the ACE’s failure to understand the importance of local government and the role of local government. We need to remind them of the importance of Arts and Cultural activities and how much they mean to the country and the nation.

 

  • With regards to diversity, ACE need to focus on deprivation in communities and access issues.

 

  • Cllr Henry referred to a cultural-led town centre regeneration project in Stevenage and said: the first phase of the project is £250k, and one of the flagship buildings that we’re going to have is a central hub in the middle of town which will include the library, gallery and exhibition space, a café, police presence, GP surgery and other local government and NHS providers. One of the implications of the Covid-19 pandemic is that a lot of these organisations work much more flexibly/virtually now, so do not need so much office space. We are looking to re-locate our museum there too to ensure that it is accessible. This project is a really good opportunity and the Arts Council will find it helpful as well as the other positive work taking place around the country.

 

  • A lot of change will be needed from the ACE in their new delivery plan, there is a significant problem in terms of ACE’s interaction with local governments.

 

  • Cllr Kelly referred to a blended library, museum and art gallery in Preston and said: the project took over four years of planning and commitment from the councils and investing in the right  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

5.

Update on work to support sport and physical activity services pdf icon PDF 174 KB

Minutes:

The Chairman invited Ian Leete, Senior Adviser, to introduce the report.

 

Ian introduced the report which set out the interim findings for the ‘Future of public sport and leisure’ research, the emergency insourcing guide, work on the Moving Communities Platform and engagement with the new National Sector Group for Sport and Physical Activity.

 

Board Members made the following comments:

 

  • I would like to see more sports-related items brought to this Board in future. I’m pleased that we have linked this to Covid-19 recovery. Perhaps the report should highlight the GP-referral side of things for the link between physical and mental wellbeing.

 

  • We should continue to look at expanding the use of the leisure centre.

 

  • In terms of the social value data, there is a lot available through Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL). The climate change ask has been referenced, but if we’re going to ask the Treasury for £1b over a ten-year period, how are we evidence-basing that?

 

Ian responded to the comments made by Board Members:

 

  • There is an evidence base, APSE have undertaken some detailed modelling work which can be shared with Board Members.

 

Decision:

 

  • Board Members noted the report.

 

Action:

 

  • Officers to circulate the detailed modelling work undertaken by APSE to Members of the Board.

 

6.

Parkrun and Mass Events pdf icon PDF 154 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chair invited Ian Leete, Senior Adviser, to introduce the report.

 

Ian introduced the report which provided feedback from Members about the restart of events with large numbers of visitors, including parkrun.

 

Board Members made the following comments:

 

  • I am hopeful that when we meet with the Secretary of State on 22 June, we can mention that we have had a Board meeting and express our concern regarding DCMS’ lack of involvement/communication, but also emphasise the need for government to assist in relation to insurance to ensure that individual authorities are not left with significantly large bills.

 

  • With regards to government ensuring large events such as music festivals, the clarity needs to be there.

 

  • During the Covid-19 pandemic, many more people were out walking and cycling and using parks, we should encourage people to continue this physical activity post-Covid and focus on getting government to support our parks.

 

Cllr Coghill said that she would be happy to share information related to parkrun in Waltham Forest with Member of the Board if they would find it helpful.

 

Ian encouraged Board Members to contact him if any of local councils were struggling with support for park run so that he could put Members in touch with Chief Operating officers.

 

Decision:

 

  • Board Members noted the report.

 

7.

End of year report and summer workplan pdf icon PDF 370 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chairman invited Ian Leete, Senior Adviser, to introduce the report.

 

Ian introduced the report which set out the key achievements of the CTS Board in 2020-21. The report outlined the significant areas of lobbying and communications work undertaken in 2020 to support the sector’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic and also set out a short workplan for the Summer period, before the Board reconvened in September 2021.

 

Board Members made the following comments:

 

·       In terms of the summer workplan, it looks light at the moment and we could add more work to be undertaken in coming months, especially in relation to the £300m shortfall in leisure services.

 

·       The Chair confirmed that an informal meeting of the Board would take place on 1 July to feedback to Members on the meeting between the Secretary of State and CTS Lead Members on 22 June.

 

·       We need to continue to focus on the media and communications side.

 

Board Members requested that their thanks to officers for their hard work over the years be formally noted in the minutes.

 

Decision:

 

  • Board Members noted the report.

 

8.

Outside Bodies pdf icon PDF 361 KB

Minutes:

The Chair invited Emma West, Member Services Officer, to introduce the report.

 

Emma introduced the report and stated that the recommendation set out within the report needed to be amended from:

 

“That the Members of the Culture, Tourism and Sport Board:

 

1.           agree the list of outside bodies; and

2.           agree appointments to outside bodies”

 

to:

 

“That the Members of the Culture, Tourism and Sport Board:

 

1.           note part A of the report (CTS Outside Bodies Background and Appointments Process 2020/21); and

2.           note part B of the report (Report back on member meetings since 20 January 2021).”

 

The following updates were provided from Outside Body Appointees:

 

  • Cllr Henry: A trustees meeting took place in March where we agreed and signed off the new organisational structure, particularly the new way of working with the delivery arm of London Marathon. London Marathon Events Limited (LMEL) also explored the future delivery of the London Marathon and other mass participation events. I attended the AGM in April and had a one to one with the new CEO where we discussed both LMCT and the role of the CTS Board and how we could work together in the future.

 

  • Cllr Hollis: As a Member of the Libraries Accreditation Board, we are moving forward with the accreditation, there are a number of pilot authorities (Northamptonshire, Reading and Suffolk) which will all be taking part in the pilot programme. The LGA has envisaged to sit as part of the Accreditation Board, Lauren Lucas and I will supply more information to the CTS Board going forward. The business of the Arts Council will oversee the individual accreditations themselves, very similar to the role they undertake with other activity that the LGA is involved in. If any Member would like more information in relation to this, please contact me.

 

Ian Leete confirmed that there had previously been LGA representation on the British Broadcasting Film Classification Council, although the structure had since changed, and it was no longer a formal meeting. He said that given the Board’s interest in Theatre at this moment in time, a Theatres Champion could be appointed to directly liaise with Theatres Trust and UK Theatre to carry out improvement work.

 

Decision:

 

  • Board Members noted part A and B of the report.

 

Action:

 

  • Officers to look to appoint a Theatres Champion to work alongside Theatres Trust and Theatres UK and carry out improvement work.

 

9.

Any other business

Minutes:

The Chair expressed his sincere thanks to all Board Members and officers for their hard work and contributions over the last year.

 

Emma West, Member Services Officer provided a brief update to Board Members in relation to planning for a smooth transition to hybrid working and use of 18 Smith Square post-Covid.

 

Decision:

 

  • Board Members noted the updates.

 

Action:

 

  • Officers to send a survey e-mail to Board Members in relation to their working arrangement preferences post-Covid.