Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed attendees to the meeting of the Strategic Culture and Arts Steering Group and apologies for absence were received from the Cabinet Member for Education, Youth Participation & Welsh Language, the Director for Public Health, Protection & Community Services, the Theatre Programme & Audience Development Manager and the Principal Librarian.

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.

In accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct, County Borough Councillor J Brencher declared the following personal interest in relation to the items pertaining to the agenda: ‘Should there be any reference or discussions in relation to YMA, Pontypridd, I am a Former Trustee.’

To approve as an accurate record, the minutes of the meeting of the Strategic Culture and Arts Steering Group held on 17^th January 2023.

The Strategic Culture and Arts Steering Group RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 17^th January 2023 as an accurate record.

To receive the draft Strategic Culture and Arts Steering Group Work Programme for the 2023-2024 Municipal Year.

The Senior Executive and Regulatory Business Officer provided Members with the Strategic Culture and Arts Steering Group Draft Work Programme for the 2023-24 Municipal Year.

The officer informed the Steering Group that the draft Work Programme was a fluid document, which could be amended to reflect any changes to business needs throughout the year.

The Chair thanked the officer for the report and the Strategic Culture and Arts Steering Group RESOLVED:

1.    To provide comment and approve the draft work programme as a basis, which can be amended to reflect any changing priorities throughout the year

To receive information in respect of the RCT Theatres’ Carbon Reduction measures.

The Strategic Arts and Culture Manager updated Members of the Strategic Culture and Arts Steering Group of the carbon reduction plans within RCT Theatres and how the service is supporting the Council in the delivery of its Think Climate Strategy 2022-2025.

The Cabinet Member for Environment & Leisure commented that as a Member of the Council’s Climate Change Cabinet Sub-Committee, she was pleased to note that staff were identifying carbon reduction opportunities within theatres and passing the positive ways of working onto the groups who use the theatres, such as the use of biodegradable confetti. The Cabinet Member was pleased to note the partnership work with Corporate Estates, which results in both carbon and financial savings.

One Member spoke of the financial challenges faced by all Local Authorities and echoed earlier comments in respect of the savings identified. Referring to Section 4.7 of the report, the Member questioned whether there were any funding opportunities available to take forward the Theatre Green Book aspirations. The Manager acknowledged that ensuring sustainability within historic theatre buildings was an issue across the whole of the Arts sector and advised that Arts Council Wales had recently undertaken a survey of the capital needs across the sector and that funding could become available as a result, if deemed suitable by Welsh Government.

One Member was pleased to note the estimated annual energy costs savings to the Council and to the planet itself. Referring to the research detailed within Section 4 of the report, the Member questioned whether this was undertaken by RCT. The Manager informed the Steering Group that the research was undertaken by the sector and not specifically commissioned by RCT.

The Chair recognised that Wales had declared both Climate and Nature emergencies and felt that the report was a positive example of how Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council is committed to playing its part in tackling those emergencies.

The Chair thanked the officer for the report and the Strategic Culture and Arts Steering Group RESOLVED:

1.    To consider the contents of the report and comment on the information provided.

To receive the RCT Theatres Production and Co-production Programme of the Arts Service.

The Strategic Arts and Culture Manager updated Members of the Strategic Culture and Arts Steering Group on the production and co-production programme of the Arts Service

The Manager drew Members’ attention to Section 5 of the report and provided an overview of each of the following productions and co-productions:

·       Turning the Wheel – a co-production between RCT Theatres and the writer and producer, Keiran Bailey;

·       Knuckles – an RCT Theatres’ co-production with Gurnwah Productions;

·       Ink’d – an RCT Theatres’ co-production with Gurnwah Productions;

·       Sue (the Hippopotamus Who Doesn’t Identify as a Hippopotomus) – an RCT Theatres’ production developed with local creatives, Menna Rogers and Jemima Nicholas;

·       RCT Pantomime – an RCT Theatres’ production directed by Richard Tunley;

·       Carwyn – in co-production with Cardiff-based writers and producers, Gareth Bale and Owen Thomas;

·       No Man’s Land – an RCT Theatres’ co-production with local producer, Kyle Stead; and

·       Gen Z Fest – produced by Kyle Stead, supported by RCT Theatres.

One Member looked forward to seeing the productions in the future. The Member noted that an objective of the service was for ‘Welsh Language events and activities form an integral part of our artistic programme’ and questioned how many of the productions listed were available in Welsh and queried how much is spent on developing Welsh artists throughout the County Borough.

The officer advised that at least two of the above-mentioned productions had an element of the Welsh Language, whether that be a standalone Welsh Language project or an every-day, bilingual way of working. In terms of expenditure, the officer advised that there wasn’t currently a high percentage spent on Welsh Language productions, which was partly due to the availability of product that is suitable for the venues and audiences. The officer spoke positive of the production of ‘Shirley Valentine’, which was presented in the Welsh Language at Park and Dare Theatre last year but emphasised that the whole sector had come to the realisation that both English Language and in particular, Welsh Language products must be of relevance to the audience. The officer also spoke positive of Garth Olwg, where most of the programmes delivered were through the Welsh Language, which provides the service with the opportunity to build on the audience at that venue to engage with more Welsh Language products. It was explained that the ambition was to increase the number of Welsh Language within the production programme in anticipation for the 2024 Eisteddfod and that the legacy of the Eisteddfod would result in an increase in Welsh Language programmes across the County Borough.

The Member thanked the officer for the response and questioned the work undertaken with young people through medium of Welsh in order to bring them together to develop work. The officer recognised that there was an opportunity to promote the language and develop work through young people and spoke of a recent ‘Make It!’ showcase at the Park & Dare Theatre, which brought together a number of young creatives. The officer was encouraged to see  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

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.

On behalf of the Strategic Culture and Arts Steering Group, the Chair took the opportunity to extend his gratitude and well wishes to the Arts and Creative Industry Manager who was due to retire from the Local Authority.