Agenda and minutes

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

Apologies were received by Cllr Dixon, Cllr Henry, Cllr Laing, Cllr Lewis, Cllr Graham and Cllr Shipp. Cllr Barnett-Ward, Cllr Walsh, Cllr Simpson and Cllr Allen attended as substitutes.

No declaration of interest were received.

The Chair welcomed Paul Simons, Chair – World Heritage UK, and Chris Blandford, President – World Heritage UK, to the meeting and invited them to present a series of slides to the Board which set out information related to the background of World Heritage UK, evolution, origins and obligations, governance arrangements, sites, visions, challenges and next steps.

Members made the following contributions:

• A correction was required on page 6 of the agenda pack, to note that the Tower of London was not located in the City of London.

• A question was asked which related to the statutory consultee status and its application process.
• A question was asked which related to World Heritage UK’s relationship with overseas territories and their influence with them.
• A correction was required within the report as it stated that East Devon District Council was a responsible body, instead of West Devon Borough Council.
• The importance of effects on planning, health and wellbeing, the natural environment and economies through tourism was emphasised.
• A concern was raised which related to heritage impact assessments and the effect that the assessments were having on people wishing to modernise their homes.
• The importance of continuing to lobby government for funds to support existing sites and those on the tentative list was emphasised.
• A question was asked which related to removal from the list.

Paul and Chris responded to Members’ comments, which included the following points:

• Local government were responsible for planning matters.
• With regards to the tentative list, government called for nominations to the list every decade and a process had recently been completed which meant that there could only be 10 nominations every year.
• In relation to overseas territories, Gibraltar and Bermuda were members of World Heritage UK and attended all meetings. World Heritage UK had a good working relationship with overseas territories where there were settlements and eonomic activity in planning activity.
• Regarding statutory consultees, there was a joint, UK-wide National Committee of Amenity Societies (7 currently on it).
• The importance of engagement and feeding up the appropriate chain of command was emphasised.
• The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) did not fund World Heritage, it was the responsibility of the state party.
• The considerable need for funding was emphasised.
• The importance of joint working arrangements between World Heritage UK, other Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) and the LGA to make a strong case to government was emphasised.
• The removal of Liverpool’s world heritage status was explained in further detail, in addition to the process of removal from the list.
• Concerns were raised regarding Stonehenge and the proposed cut-and-cover road tunnel backed by the government.

Decision:

• Board Members noted the report and agreed to support the bid to become a statutory consultee.

The Chair invited Rachel Duke, Adviser, to introduce the report which set out information related to the recently published Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Draft Bill from Government, aimed at helping to protect the public from terrorist attacks. Known as Martyn’s Law, the draft legislation looked to introduce a new duty for those responsible for certain publicly accessible premises and events to take measures to review and mitigate against terrorist activity. The Bill featured in the King’s Speech on 7 November. The LGA’s response to the Bill is being led by the Safer and Stronger Communities Board (SSCB).

Members made the following contributions:

• Reference was made to the proposed tiered model and the importance of ensuring that the requirements for each tier were appropriate was emphasised.
• A question was asked which related to responsibilities and remits between owners and hirers of venues.
• A concern was raised which related to the adequacy of the assessment of potential venues and events within scope.
• The importance of balancing risks and threats to outdoor events,ensuring that sufficient anti-terrorism measures were in place for events such as street markets, Remembrance Day and the switching on of Christmas lights, with ensuring they remain financially viable was emphasised. It was suggested that the Board get in touch with the Tourism Alliance in relation to outdoor events.
• A question was asked which related to the regulatory role referred to in point 11 of the report and who would be best placed to undertake the role.
• A question was asked which related to assessment activity and ensuring consistency.
• A point was made which related to the potential impact that the bill would have on local government.
• The importance of the LGA raising awareness through bulletins and notifications to local authorities was emphasised.
• It was suggested that government test proposals with multiple venues and events to see how it would work in practice ahead of rolling it out across the country.
• A question was asked which related to the number of councils and authorities affected.

The Chair suggested that a further report be submitted to a future meeting of the Board as more information became available.

Rachel responded to Members’ comments and questions and referred to point 21 of the report, which set out information related to SSCB’s work programme and the LGA’s plans to respond to the consultation on requirements for standard tier premises, once launched.

Decision:

• Board Members noted the report.

Action:

• Officers to submit a further report to a future meeting of the Board as more information became available.

The Chair invited Megan Kidd, NGDP Graduate, to introduce the paper which provided an update on the LGA Annual Culture, Tourism and Sport conference.

Members made the following contributions:

• A question was asked which related to the cost of the delegate pass.
• A concern was raised which related to the date of the conference and it being too close to the elections in May, meaning many Councillors would be busy campaigning.
• A concern was raised regarding the potential high cost associated with accommodation and travel to the conference.
• A question was raised which related to point 4.1 of the report. It was suggested that the devolution think pieces on culture be extended to include employment and skills.
• The need to draw out cross-cutting benefits, given that culture, tourism and sport-related venues and events were non-statutory and therefore at risk, was emphasised.
• There were mixed views related to inviting Ministerial speakers to the conference.
• It was suggested that culture, tourism and sport be separated as subjects to discuss at the conference as opposed to being grouped together.
• The importance of networking opportunities was emphasised.
• It was suggested that ‘Spectra’, an arts organisation which specialised in supporting neurodiverse young people, be invited to speak at the conference.
• It was suggested that ‘Equality FC’ (Lewes Community Football Club) be invited to speak at the conference, as the club demonstrated initiative which centred around equality and inclusion.
• It was suggested that exhibition space should be made available to rent to commercial businesses willing to engage with councillors at the conference, which could reduce conference costs.
• A comment was made which related to the conference location, South Tyneside, being a lengthy trip for most Members.
• The Chief Executive of the Premier League had been invited to speak at the conference.
• It was suggested that Sir Tim Smit, KBE, be invited to speak at the conference.
• A question was asked which related to conference attendees and a delegate list was requested.

The Chair encouraged Members to contact Megan directly, or the Member Services team, outside of the meeting regarding suggestions for speakers at the conference.

Decision:

• Board Members noted the report.

Action:

• Officers to circulate more information to Members outside of the meeting regarding the cost of delegate passes.

The Chair invited Helen Hull, Adviser (Productivity), to introduce the report. The paper updated the Board on the improvement programmes, including those delivered under contract for Arts Council England and Sport England.

Members made the following contributions:

• The report was welcomed, particularly the Member and officer sessions.
• A Member encouraged other Members to become a peer mentor.
• It was suggested that Martyn’s Law be included.

Decision:

• Board Members noted the report.

The Chair invited Rebecca Cox, Principal Policy Adviser, to introduce the paper which updated Board Members on progress against the workplan, and on any major pieces of work since the last meeting.

A Member suggested that an item be added to the work plan related to UEFA EURO 2028, which UK and Ireland would host.

Decision:

• Board Members noted the report.

The Chair invited Outside Body Appointees to provide updates to the Board:

Cllr White (Tourism Alliance):There is some package travel legislation coming through and discussions are taking place around whether the legislation should be welcomed (which is legislation that takes us away from standard EU practice). There is uncertainty as to how fast the short-term let registration scheme was progressing, updates will be provided to the Board when available.

Decision:

• That Board Members note the report.

The minutes of the meeting held on 13 September 2023 were agreed as an accurate record.