Agenda and minutes

To sign and confirm the minutes of the last meeting.

The minutes of the last meeting, held 7^th April 2022, were agreed and signed by the Chairman

To receive apologies for absence and notification of substitutes (if any).

No apologies were received from Councillors; Alan Bell, Anton Dani and Frank Pickett

To receive declarations of interests in respect of any item on the agenda.

None

To answer any written questions received from members of the public no later than 5 p.m. two clear working days prior to the meeting – for this meeting the deadline is 5 p.m. on ………………..

None

 A report by Phil Perry, Assistant Director – Leisure & Culture

At the last Corporate & Community Committee meeting, a request was made to provide a report on the recovery of Boston Guildhall concerning recovering from COVID.

The Museum, Arts and Heritage Manager presented a report which provided the Committee with information and context on the above mentioned topic, incorporating activity throughout the pandemic and reviewing current recovery progress.

The Museum, Arts and Heritage Manager explained to members that the team are currently working on a Service Development Action Plan that will include ways to increase footfall and look at the commercial offer, including weddings, in balance with the needs of the building.

The Committee expressed their thanks to the staff at the Guildhall for making all councillors feel welcomed while meetings were being held there during the pandemic.

Members questioned whether there was a plan in place to link the Guildhall with Ayscoughfee Hall and the Gentleman’s Club in South Holland and whether the current job vacancy for a Museum, Events and Venue Officer could be an opportunity to have one Officer that covered all three venues. In response the Museum, Arts and Heritage Manager informed the Committee that, while Officers are looking into the above mentioned venues working more closely, it had been agreed to continue to look for an officer to solely cover the Guildhall and potentially merge that officer in the future.

In response to members’ questions the Museum, Arts and Heritage Manager confirmed that;

• The building is open 4 days a week for 5 hours a day, making a total of 20 hours a week.
• Wednesdays and Saturdays are the usually the busy days.
• As part of the Service Development Plan Officers are looking into the issue of closing for Weddings, especially throughout the summer holidays which is a particularly busy period.
• It is not only residents of Boston that can get married in the Guildhall.
• There is a Facebook page for the promotion of the Guildhall, however it was not currently active and will remain that way until a new Museum, Events and Venue Officer is recruited.

The Portfolio Holder for Heritage addressed the Committee and explained that the visitor economy is a major priority of our corporate priorities and the Guildhall is one of our most valued buildings.

RESOLVED: The Committee noted the report.

A report by Lydia Rusling, Assistant Director – Economic Growth

The Deputy Chief Executive – Growth introduced a report to the Committee, which sought to provide background information on the development of the Cultural Framework for Boston and East Lindsey. The report also noted that during the development of the Framework there had been an opportunity to submit and Expression of Interest for National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) status with Arts Council England.

When asked for clarification The Deputy Chief Executive - Growth explained that an NPO is a Gold Standard revenue-funding stream through Arts Council England, which can pay for; staff, art and cultural programming, the digitalisation of heritage assists, engagement and events. 

The Deputy Chief Executive – Growth outlined that page 56 if the report contained a 10-point activity plan that formed part of the expression of interest and that, after entering the next stage of funding, the Council would have the opportunity to develop the programme.

Members thanked the Deputy Chief Executive – Growth and her team for the ambition and work that had gone into the report.

RESOLVED: That Members;

1. Support the formal adoption of the Cultural Framework for renewal through the Council process.
2.  Support the extension of the work to reflect the Partnership with South Holland

Note the submission of the Expression of Interest for National Portfolio Organisation status with Arts Council England. 

(For Members to note/discuss the Committee’s current work programme)

Members agreed to add an Update on the Social Impact of Population Change Task & Finish group, that took place in 2014 to the Work programme for the next meeting (14^th July).