Agenda and minutes
PDF 154 KBVenue: Council Chamber - South Kesteven House, St. Peter's Hill, Grantham. NG31 6PZ. View directions
Contact: Democratic Services
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Apologies for absence
Minutes: The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and announced a one-minute’s silence in memory of Councillor Judy Smith who sadly passed away recently.
There were no apologies received.
There was an Alliance SK vacancy at this committee meeting which was filled by Councillor Virginia Moran. |
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Disclosure of Interests
Members are asked to disclose any interests in matters for consideration at the meeting. Minutes: There were none. |
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Public Speaking
The Council welcomes engagement from members of the public. To speak at this meeting please register no later than 24 hours prior to the date of the meeting via democracy@southkesteven.gov.uk
Minutes: Councillors Richard Cleaver spoke under agenda item 7, Update on Markets and requested the Committee to consider the following points:
Councillor Richard Cleaver spoke under agenda item 10, Refresh of the Cultural Strategy and made the following observations: · It is vital that the Committee considers urgently what actions need to be taken not just to mitigate, but to reverse, the damage done particularly to Stamford Arts Centre in the last 12 months. This damage clearly conflicts with SKDC's stated strategic objective to be "the best district in which to live, work, and visit". · We can't achieve the objective of being the best district in which to live, work, and visit if we adopt a strategy to reduce our Cultural offer to be just as poor as that provided in our neighbouring authorities. |
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Minutes from the meeting held on 14 June 2022
Minutes: It was proposed, seconded, and AGREED the minutes of the meeting held on14 June 2022 be confirmed as a correct record. |
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Updates from the previous meeting
To consider actions agreed at the meeting held on 14 June 2022. Minutes: There were none. |
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Announcements or updates from the Leader of the Council, Cabinet Members or the Head of Paid Service
Minutes: There were none. |
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This report seeks to give Committee an update on the current operation of the Council’s markets and seek Committee input in respect of a proposed study to explore options around actions and investment into the Council’s market offer, supporting the economy of the District.
Additional documents: Minutes: The Cabinet Member for Culture and Visitor Economy highlighted the report that provided an update on current operation of the Council-run markets: Bourne, Grantham and Stamford.
The Director for Housing and Property presented the report which outlined information on the three Council-run markets, including an appendix which provided financial figures for the last three years and current budget.
It was suggested that part of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund be utilised for studies to obtain external expertise, to undertake benchmarking against other market towns, with the aim of understanding successes to follow and pitfalls to avoid.
A query was raised whether the ‘HelloSK App’ for the markets was sufficiently prominent.
ACTION: For the Markets Team to provide an update on the ‘HelloSK App’.
A Member was pleased to see the consideration of carbon reduction for the markets and asked whether consideration could be given for street fairs.
Stamford market had been successful recently. Charities had contacted a Member to express their interest in hosting charity stalls on the market. It was queried whether more space could be allocated at the market for charity stalls to trade.
Issues were raised in relation to dangerous pathways and a specific building obstructing pedestrians’ ability to walk around Stamford town during market day. It was queried as to what the Council could do to work with the owner of the dangerous building to ensure it was repaired to avoid an accident occuring.
ACTION: For the Director of Growth and Culture to consult with East Midlands Building Consultancy and provide an update to the Member in question.
A query was raised on content within the report and the reasoning behind Bourne Saturday Market not being mentioned.
It was confirmed this had been an oversight within the report and more detailed information in terms of stalls and occupancy on all markets on different days would be provided in due course to Members.
ACTION: For the Director of Housing and Property to share information around stalls and occupancy on all markets relating to the different days they are held.
It was noted the Climate Change and Sustainability Officer completed work around energy use and carbon reduction within markets.
Clarification was sought on how street fairs were managed.
It was confirmed that street fairs were managed separately to markets, yet collaboratively between colleagues from the Growth and Culture Directorate and the Markets Team.
One Member raised concern and queried how the Council was losing £84,000 per year from providing a market in Grantham.
It was highlighted that Stamford Market had a waiting list for stalls and it was suggested this market be extended.
The feasibility of layout and location of Bourne Market was discussed, as well as the remaining two markets.
It was highlighted, it cost the Council £12,000 to gain permission to hold Grantham Market on certain streets. It was questioned as to who the permission granted is obtained from.
It was queried as to why Bourne Market had such a high amount of money spent ... view the full minutes text for item 20. |
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Refresh of the Cultural Strategy
To consider the development of a new Cultural Strategy for the district, including the themes to be explored and method of delivery.
Minutes: In response to a public speaker, it was confirmed the Assistant Director of Culture and Leisure had previously met with a group of individuals in Stamford and had a positive meeting regarding Stamford Arts Centre.
The independent Arts Review had meant the staffing structure across the whole Arts service had been reduced.
An interim appointment (and internal promotion) had been made for an Arts and Cultural Services Manager, who would be tasked with embedding those changes within the structure of the Arts Services.
It was highlighted that community input was required going forward for Stamford Arts Centre.
The Council were currently marketing the opportunity for the operation of Stamford Arts Centre café and had already received interest.
The possibility for the Tourist Information Centre to be restored would be explored.
There had been changes to the fees and charges of the Stamford Arts Centre Gallery. However, slots had been booked up until May 2023 and enquiries were being taken for 2024.
It was queried as to whether the management structure of Stamford Arts Centre could be looked at.
The Committee were reassured that a focus group for Stamford Arts Centre had been suggested to meet quarterly or twice a year.
The Cabinet Member for Culture and Visitor Economy introduced the report detailing the work associated with the development of a refreshed Cultural Strategy for the District. The refreshed Cultural Strategy was a key priority within the Council’s Corporate Plan 2020-2023.
It was highlighted that the refresh of the Cultural Strategy was vital in identifying and articulating the Council’s vision for the service. The refresh would set out how the Council would work with other providers to promote cultural opportunities within the District.
The report detailed the approach in securing external expert support to develop a new Cultural Strategy with the full support and input of the Committee. It also detailed headline topics for inclusion within the refreshed Cultural Strategy and welcomed further suggestions.
One Member highlighted the importance of a company with the correct knowledge to carry out the work.
The Committee welcomed their involvement with the refresh of the Cultural Strategy.
Members raised the importance of the community involvement with the refresh of the Cultural Strategy. It was suggested community and focus groups should be involved within the refresh.
It was highlighted that a clear strategic rationale was in place for the Cultural Strategy refresh, and this could be achieved in conjunction and consultation with the local community.
It was confirmed there was a saving from the Arts and Cultural Services Manager role which would be utilised to appoint a suitably qualified consultant.
A query was raised on how much the Council were anticipating on spending to appoint a suitably qualified consultant to work with Officers and Members to develop a new Cultural Strategy for the District.
It was noted the cost to appoint a consultant was currently unknown. Once the scope was agreed by Committee, Officers would then complete market research. The importance of an open procurement was ... view the full minutes text for item 21. |
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Inspirational Women of South Kesteven
To shine a spotlight on women who have shaped and are shaping South Kesteven and set out recommendations to Members.
Minutes: The Chairman of the Council presented the report which outlined the importance of women’s history and their contributions to South Kesteven.
The Inspirational Women of South Kesteven film was due to take place on 21 November 2022 to coincide with the birth of pioneer Edith Smith, who was the first woman Police Officer to be given the power of arrest whilst serving in Grantham.
As a society, there is a responsibility to dismantle the stereotypes that hold women back. Topics such as caring responsibilities should be considered.
The encouragement of young girls to consider all career and study options was highlighted.
The importance of including young boys and men was highlighted as they are often found to be influenced by outdated views of what is expected of them.
South Kesteven had been identified as a District rich in history and heritage with buildings, spaces and the stories of people who lived and worked in them. A key theme of the Council’s Corporate Plan had been to help create healthy and strong communities by celebrating and enhancing the history of the District.
The concept of the district-wide blue plaque guide and information was suggested to celebrate and commemorate the link between people and buildings.
One Member queried a three points relating to Inspirational Women of South Kesteven:
· Whether women could be added to the list of inspirational women within the District who were alive. · That the current inspirational women list be inclusive and diverse. · Whether local businesses, community groups, Parish andTown Councils could be involved in identifying local inspirational women.
It was questioned how the Inspirational Women of South Kesteven film would be launched and screened.
One Member queried the timescale in which the film had been completed, as it had been commissioned in 2019.
It was highlighted there had been the COVID-19 pandemic during this time, which may have held up completion of the film.
AGREED:
That the Committee:
1. supported by Officers, scope out a wide programme of events to cover a twelve-month period, featuring women showcased in the Inspirational Women of South Kesteven Film.
2. complements the existing and valued efforts of Civic Societies, by exploring the introduction of a District-wide Blue Plaque Guide and Information Trails.
3. once the scoping of events and the review of a District-wide Blue Plaque Guide and Information Trails has been undertaken, makes any necessary recommendations to Cabinet. |
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STEAM - Economic Impact
To support a presentation given to committee on the economic impact of the Visitor Economy in South Kesteven for 2020 – 2021 and to identify key trends in the industry pre, during and post the Covid-19 pandemic.
Additional documents: Minutes: The Head of Economic Development presented the report and presentation to the Committee. Scarborough, Tourism, Economic, Activity, Monitor (STEAM) data had been discussed at the previous Committee meeting in the context of the Council’s key performance indicators (KPIs) and how economic impact was measured.
It had previously been agreed that once the latest data was available, this would be brought to the Committee in a succinct way.
The Tourism and Visitor Economy Officer was introduced as the person who would be leading on several actions identified the information provided via the STEAM data.
STEAM was an economic impact modelling process which approaches the measurement of tourism using local supply side data, tourism performance and visitors survey data collection.
As referenced in the report, the data is used from four key visitor types which provides a significant amount of information that allows visitor behaviours, spend, stay patterns and greatest impact of sub-sectors, to be tracked.
A presentation of the slides was given during which the overall outcome of South Kesteven’s visitor economy from pre, during and post COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown restrictions was highlighted.
The STEAM data would be used for information to bring the new South Kesteven Visitor Economy Strategy (scheduled for the next Committee meeting) framed around the four key headings of: visitor days, visitor numbers, economic impact and employment.
Clarification was sought on whether non-service accommodation growth was linked to Airbnb’s. Concern was raised on the growth of Airbnb’s directly affecting availability of housing in the District.
AGREED:
1. Welcome the presentation detailing the information contained within the STEAM report.
2. With Officer support, understand the impacts on the sector over recent years aligning this to future business support activity and the developing South Kesteven Visitor Economy Strategy.
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Work Programme 2022-23
To consider the Committee’s Work Programme for 2022-23. Minutes: The Committee noted the Work Programme for 2022-23.
Members requested the following items be added to the Work Programme for the next meeting on 6 December 2022:
· Refresh of the Cultural Strategy – Consultant · Further update on Markets · Progress update - Deepings Leisure Centre
One Member requested that Stamford Leisure facilities be added onto the agenda.
It was confirmed that a meeting would be held to understand the issues around leisure facilities in Stamford, before bringing a report to the Committee. |
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Any other business which the Chairman, by reason of special circumstances decides is urgent
Minutes: There were none. |
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Close of meeting
Minutes: The Chairman closed the meeting at 16 :17 . |