Agenda item

The Service Director Community Services and the Head of Leisure, Parks and Countryside presented the report to members to provide an overview of cultural and heritage services in Rhondda Cynon Taf. 

Members were given a comprehensive overview of the Arts Service, Adult Education Service, Heritage Service and Library Service and included a management structure for each service so members were familiar with who they needed to contact for each service area

The Chairman thanked the officers for the comprehensive report and opened up to members for questions

A member asked if the Aberdare Coliseum theatre was closing as there had been some rumours circulating that this may be the case.

The Service Director responded that this was not true and that the Service area was actually investing in the property, as they were old buildings.  She added that a cautious approach to reopening since the pandemic had been taken but it was definitely not closing.  Reopening cinema screens would take place from October half term onwards and professional performances would take place from the new year. 

A Member asked what happened to the blue plaques if a building is knocked down. He referred to the old cinema in Pontypridd that had a blue plaque on it that was unveiled by a former Councillor.

The Head of Leisure, Parks and Countryside responded that he would look into the Members query and come back to him with an answer.   

A Member asked for more information on the Councils review of statues following the Black Lives Matter movement

The officer responded that a recent audit found there to be nothing of issue within the RCT area.  He added one query was received in relation to a Kier Hardie statue and around inflammatory comments made, which were responded to and the resident was satisfied with the response provided to them. 

A Member asked if the Authority holds any data as to where the people come from that use the theatres in RCT.

The Strategic Arts Manager responded that the Authority uses mosaic software and box data to breakdown the age demographic and advised that most people normally live within a 20 minute journey from the theatres.  She added that a lot of information is collected at the point of sale as it was important to know who we are targeting. She further added that they also promote the activities through their web pages, social media and brochures delivered to other visitor attractions in neighbouring Authority areas.

A member asked for more information on the Eisteddfod that was coming to RCT and asked how they were engaging with communities and who they were targeting for the event.

The Service Director responded that the Authority were co-working with the National Eistedfodd and as part of engagement programme they were considering targeting people who are difficult to reach such as residents that maybe aren’t so ready to try something through the medium of welsh.  She added that they have been working with the national Eistedfodd to see what their current engagement programme is with communities. 

The Arts Service was also trying to reach out to those that would not normally have an interest in arts to try and encourage them see how enjoyable it can be.  Eistedfodd officers will work together to try and ensure that people can see it is for all to enjoy and not just for people who speak welsh.  A Member suggested that there could be a day for those hard to reach residents where they could attend the Eistedfodd without charge.  Officers agreed to explore the option. 

A Member referred to a discussion at the Welsh Language Steering Group

where members discussed ways the Council would look to promote welsh history and culture and asked if some more information could be provided to members

The Service Director responded that they were looking at 4 days of promoting welsh history, however the current pandemic had an impact on the plans but this would be revisited in partnership with the heritage teams to get the focus back on a range of heritage links.

The Chair asked for clarification on the ownership on Aberdare and Ynysangharad parks.

The Head of Parks and Leisure advised that Ynysangharad park was donated to the people of Pontypridd back in the 1920’s and is held in trust by the Council and there is an Ynysangharad War Memorial Park Cabinet Committee to carry out the role of the trustees.  Aberdare Park, predates Ynysangharad Park by 50-60 years and is a grade ll plus listed, he added however that Aberdare, does not have same status with the charity commission though

The Chair also asked if leaflets for ZIP World could be placed in Dare Valley Park as on a recent visit there he could not find any there.  The Head of Parks and Leisure stated he would feed this back to his team and have leaflets distributed there. The Cabinet Member Environment, Leisure & Heritage Services added that tourism are undertaking a big piece of work to promote the facilities offered by the Council, she advised there will be a hub where all information will be collated so this should resolve the leaflet issues also.

The Chairman wished to put on record the Committees thanks to all staff in the parks departments and the library service for all the digital work for the residents as he considered this to be a very good initiative.