Agenda and minutes

Strategic Culture and Arts Steering Group - Monday, 21st June, 2021 2.00 pm

Venue: Virtual

Contact: Sarah Handy - Council Business Unit, Democratic Services 07385401942

Items

No.

Item

Welcome

Minutes:

The Chair welcomed Members to the firs meeting of the Strategic Culture & Arts Steering Group for the 2021-22 Municipal Year.

Declaration of Interest

To receive disclosures of personal interest from Members in accordance with the Code of Conduct.

Note:

1. Members are requested to identify the item number and subject matter that their interest relates to and signify the nature of the personal interest; and

2. Where Members withdraw from a meeting as a consequence of the disclosure of a prejudicial interest they must notify the Chairman when they leave.

Minutes:

In accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct, the following declarations of personal interests were made pertaining to the agenda:-

· County Borough Councillor J. Brencher declared in relation to item 4 “I am Director of the YMCA”.

Apologies

Minutes:

An apology of absence was received from County Borough Councillor S. Rees-Owen.

Minutes PDF 122 KB

To approve as an accurate record, the minutes of the meeting of the Strategic Culture and Arts Steering Group held on the 11^th January 2021.

Minutes:

It was RESOLVED to approve the Minutes of the 11^th January 2021 as an accurate reflection of the meeting.

Forward Work Programme 2021-22 PDF 204 KB

For Members of the Strategic Culture and Arts Steering Group to consider the Work Programme for the 2021/22 Municipal Year.

Minutes:

The Members’ Researcher & Scrutiny Officer presented the Forward Work

Programme report to Members, which provided the Strategic Culture & Arts

Steering Group with information on the key issues to be considered in the

2021/22 Municipal Year. Members were reminded that the Work Programme is

a fluid document that can be amended to reflect any changing priorities

throughout the year.

Discussions ensued and Mr Coppock, co-opted member, queried whether

meetings could be held in-person and at different locations throughout the

County Borough. The Members’ Researcher & Scrutiny Officer reassured Members that if a particular agenda item required the need for a site visit then this could of course be arranged accordingly.

Following discussion, Members RESOLVED to approve the Forward Work

Programme for the 2021-22 Municipal Year.

An update on the progress of the Muni PDF 197 KB

To receive a report in respect of the progress of the Muni and to receive a presentation from Awen Cultural Trust on the progress and strategy for the Muni Arts Centre and how it complements Pontypridd as a cultural destination.

Minutes:

Mr Richard Hughes, the Chief Executive of Awen Cultural Trust, provided Members with an update in respect of the community asset transfer of the Muni Arts Centre to Awen Cultural Trust.

Members of the Steering Group were provided with a presentation in respect of the transfer, which included a number of photographs in respect of the design of the Muni going forward. It was emphasised that the venue needs to retain its identity and community roots but also establish a new market position. It was stated that the ambition of the Council is to celebrate cultural assets throughout the County Borough as a platform for growth. Members were informed that the partnership approach between RCTCBC and Awen is exemplified by the application to the UK Government’s Levelling-up Fund.

Discussions ensued and the Chair thanked Awen for providing Members with such a detailed presentation. The Chair informed Members that the Local Authority is still awaiting the outcome of the Levelling-up Fund application to the UK Government. The Chair noted that the Muni is an iconic building and that the foundations are in place for it to be developed as a key building for cultural growth in the community.

Discussions continued and a Member queried what will happen to the Rose Window in the Muni. Richard Hughes advised Members that the Rose Window is a key heritage feature of the Muni and it shines a light in the vestry and he reassured Members that this will be preserved.

Another Member praised the presentation and noted that it would be an incredible boost for culture in the South Wales Valleys. The Member queried whether the seating arrangements would remain as they once were, whether the arcade gallery will be used as an arts gallery, whether disabled access will be a part of the building’s structure and asked whether Awen have been working closely with the YMCA in respect of its vision for the Muni. Richard Hughes advised Members that there will be retractable seating in the auditorium and a fixed balcony. Richard Hughes also reassured Members that disabled access will be a key part of the new building, particularly in the use of lifts throughout the building and a designated change room. The Service Director Community Services informed Members that there is a meeting of cultural organisations in the Pontypridd area, which includes the YMCA. The Service Director assured Members that the Council is there to facilitate these meetings and that key issues on the forward work programme can be reported back to the Steering Group. Ceri Evans, Director of Business Development at Awen Cultural Trust, informed Members that programmes put on in the Muni will complement the cultural assets already in Pontypridd and emphasised the need to share resources and to work in partnership with others. The Member advised Awen that Transport for Wales would be a key partner to bring on board. Ceri Evans thanked the Member and advised the Group that Awen would be grateful for any suggestions that they ... view the full minutes text for item 6.

An update from the Arts and Health Co-ordinator at Cwm Taf Morgannwg UHB

To receive a presentation from the Arts and Health Co-ordinator at Cwm Taf Morgannwg UHB in respect of its new strategy for the 2021-22 Municipal Year.

Minutes:

Members received an update from Esyllt George, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board (CTMUHB) Arts & Health co-ordinator in respect of its new strategy for the 2021-22 Municipal Year.

Members were informed about the importance of partnership work and inclusivity and about the need to enhance commitment and engagement in the community. Members were advised that partnership work has led to social prescribing and wellbeing pathways in the community across RCT. The strategy for 2022– 2025 will be to continue to strengthen interdisciplinary, diverse and creative partnership work and to work with a model of holistic patient care. Currently funded by the ACW, the Health Board will be funding the Arts & Health Co-ordinator post going forward in recognition of the value this role brings to its service delivery for staff and patients.

Discussions ensued and the Chair thanked Esyllt for providing the Steering Group with such a detailed presentation. The Strategic Arts & Culture Manager informed Members that service areas within RCT meet regularly with third sector organisations and praised the partnership approach of the Health Board.

Another Member noted how much this partnership approach will be needed post the covid pandemic and commented how reassured she felt by the post of Arts & Health Co-ordinator at the Health Board. The Member queried whether the Heath Board had considered having outdoor spaces in hospitals to provide some peaceful outdoor space for visitors and patients. Esyllt George, the Arts & Health Co-ordinator at CTMUHB, informed the Steering Group that the Health Board has started looking at ‘happenings’ between landmarks in Pontypridd i.e. creating units in the community between the YMCA, Ynysangharad Park etc. The Arts & Health Co-ordinator emphasised the scope to have different sub groups on the subject and to liaise with the Strategic Culture & Arts Manager in RCTCBC to develop this further.

The co-opted member, Mr Chris Copock, noted how encouraged he was by this strategy and noted how important creative imagery was in supporting health and wellbeing in the community.

The Chair thanked Esyllt George and Claire Nelson for attending and emphasised that we can re-visit this item in a future meeting.

Following discussion, Members RESOLVED to note the update.

Serving our Communities during the COVID-19 Pandemic PDF 206 KB

To receive an update on the progress of the Arts in RCT during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Minutes:

The Strategic Culture & Arts Manager provided Members with an update on the

RCT Arts Service’s work programme undertaken from January 2021 to date.

Members were informed that RCT Theatres remain closed to the public with capital and ICT improvement plans in process. The Strategic Culture & Manager emphasised that the ‘Take pART’ participatory offer continues to be provided at venues within the community. The Arts and Creative Industries Team have continued to support children and young people through online provision across a variety of art forms. Members were also informed that the Arts Service are partnering with Taking Flight, Flossy and Boo, Valleys Kids and National Dance Company Wales in the delivery of four Connect and Flourish projects within RCT. It was emphasised that the Arts Service will be considering its priorities going forward and understanding its operating context within the Council and the Arts and Cultural Sector within Wales.

The Chair thanked the Strategic Culture & Arts Manager for providing such a comprehensive report. The Chair noted the excellent work that the service is doing in respect of the upcoming Eisteddfod and noted that it is a credit to the service that the service is embedded in the new Corporate Plan.

Following discussion, Members RESOLVED to note the update in the report.

Urgent Business

To consider any items which the Chairman by reason of special circumstances is of the opinion should be considered at the Meeting as a matter of urgency.

Minutes:

There was no urgent business to report.