Special Meeting, Cabinet
Monday, 21 February 2011 1:00 pm
C
PDF 633 KBThe Chief Finance Officer submits a report that requests Cabinet to approve a budget for 2011/12 to 2013/14 and to recommend this to the Council.
A copy of the report is attached for Members of Cabinet only. Copies of the budget summaries are not attached. All documents can be viewed at the following link:
or at Customer Services, B Block, New Walk Centre, King Street, Leicester.
Minute extracts from Scrutiny Committees are included within the report. Further extracts from the meeting of the Overview & Scrutiny Management Board on 15 February 2011 ... will be circulated as soon as they are available.
Additional documents:
...
Overview and Scrutiny Management Board
Thursday, 3 February 2011 2:00 pm
138.
3:45pm – 5:15pm
The Chief Finance Officer submits a report that seeks views of the Scrutiny Committee on the draft budget plans, for the following divisions:-
- Cultural Services (C1 - Green)
- Environmental Services (C2 - Yellow)
The Board is asked to consider the draft budget proposals and make its comments to the Cabinet.
Minutes:
With the agreement of the Committee, the divisional budget pertinent to the Environment and Sustainability Task Group Leader (Appendix C2) was considered before that pertinent to the culture and Leisure Task Group Leader (Appendix C1).
b) Cultural Services
Richard Watson, Director of Culture, introduced the budget proposals for the Cultural Services division. He explained that the proposals sought to prioritise front line services and drew attention to the levels of projected growth and recommended savings set out in the report.
In considering the proposal to introduce alternative management and operational arrangements for four museum sites (proposal number CS04), the Board noted that, if an alternative was adopted, the Council still would need to retain curators and storage space for each museum. Sarah Levitt, Head of Arts and Museums, advised that the staff cost saving was approximately £339,000 as detailed in CS04. In view of this, Members questioned whether the saving that would be made by closing museums to visitors was significant enough to warrant the loss of this service.
In reply to further questions, the Head of Arts and Museums advised that it had not been decided how a scheme to offer free entry to museums only to city residents would operate (proposal CS08 referred). One possibility was the use of different coloured stickers to differentiate who could access different parts of a facility. This would include people attending events at the Council’s museums.
City residents would be required to provide evidence that they lived in the City, such as utility bills, library tickets, or membership cards for local organisations. Councillors pointed out that many young people would not have these items and were advised that staff at the entrance to the museums would have to exercise an element of discretion in these cases. The precise charges to be made would be decided if the principle was agreed.
It was noted that those who had served with the Royal Leicestershire Regiment would not have to pay an entry charge to the Newarke Houses Museum. Consideration also would have to be given to what kind of entry could be given to various other categories of people, such as those who had made donations to the museums.
In reply to concerns that the Arts Council required free admission to some of its exhibitions, it was noted that this had been discussed with the Arts Council, which had indicated that it would consider this on an exhibition by exhibition basis. It was felt that arrangements could be made to accommodate such exhibitions, such as making special offers, (for example, free admission), when these exhibitions were held.
The following comments were made during discussion on this proposal:-
· Facilities such as the shops and cafés at the museums would lose revenue if visitor numbers reduced as a result of entrance charges being made;
· New Walk Museum and Newarke Houses Museum had over 170,000 visitors per year. Approximately 46% of these were from outside the City boundary, with approximately half of these being from outside the county;
· In view of the anticipated number of visitors from outside the City, the income required was unlikely to be raised from a minimal entry charge;
· The Leicester Mercury had quoted a possible entry charge of 20 pence, but it was not known how the newspaper had calculated this figure. The amount to be charged had not been decided and would have to take account of the possible reduction in visitor numbers;
· It was recognised that any system of charging admission would itself have a cost;
· Calculations had been made to identify how much visitor numbers could drop if entry charges were made. From these, it appeared to be worthwhile to introduce the charges as proposed;
· Proposal CS08 had been made to avoid having to charge everyone who entered the museums in question.
In view of the comments made, it was suggested that proposal CS08 should be deleted. Councillor Suleman reminded Members that he had declared a personal interest in this proposal, as he lived outside the City (but in the County). As such, he would not vote on the motion to recommend its deletion.
The Board also expressed concern at the proposal to consider alternative management arrangements for sports and leisure facilities (proposal number CS15). The Council would retain responsibility for plant and maintenance, so would still have significant costs to meet, and it therefore was suggested that this proposal should be deleted.
In response to questions from Councillor Suleman:-
· The Head of Arts and Museums advised the Board that the closure of the Fosse Arts music studio had been agreed as part of the budget for the 2010/11 financial year (proposal CS03 referred). Consequently, it had closed in September 2010; and
· Paul Edwards, Head of Sports, advised that sites across the City had been considered for the Football Development Project, (proposal CS02 referred), but Aylestone Meadows was the only site large enough to host 21 football pitches.
With regard to proposal CS05, to discontinue plans to replace the City Gallery, the Board enquired why alternative management options were not being considered, as was suggested under proposal CS04 for other museums. Richard Watson explained that this was a different situation, as this was a proposal not to proceed with a new building to replace one that previously had been leased. However, consideration would be given to any offers by other organisations to take on management responsibilities. Approximately £300,000 had been spent to date on the feasibility costs and other professional fees related to the original proposed new site for the Gallery.
RESOLVED:
1) that the report be noted;
2) that Cabinet be requested to recommend that proposal CS08 be deleted and admission charges be not introduced for non-City residents at New Walk Museum and Newarke Houses Museum;
3) that Cabinet be requested to recommend that proposal CS15 be deleted, so that management responsibility for sports and leisure facilities is retained by the City Council; and
4) that Cabinet be informed of the comments made by the Board on the remainder of the proposals relating to Cultural Services.
The meeting adjourned at 5.29 pm
Overview and Scrutiny Management Board
Thursday, 13 January 2011 5:30 pm
126.
VERBAL UPDATE ON THE CITY GALLERY
Following the withdrawal of this item from the previous agenda, The Board will receive a verbal update on issues with regard to the City Gallery from the Director, Cultural Services.
Minutes:
The Board received a verbal update on issues with regard to the City Gallery from the Director, Cultural Services.
The Director stated that a decision on the future proposals for a city gallery in Leicester would be taken as part of the budget discussions, and that an announcement was expected to be made by next week. It was made clear that the Board would consider documentation in relation to all budget proposals at a future special meeting.
RESOLVED;
That the verbal update be noted.
Cabinet
Monday, 13 December 2010 1:00 pm
140.
Councillor Wann submits a report that informs Cabinet of the review of the Business Case for the proposed development of a new Contemporary Art Gallery, to replace the City Gallery, on the site of the former Workplace Nursery at 50 New Walk. Cabinet is asked to agree the recommendations set out in Paragraph 2.1 of the report.
A minute extract from the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board Committee on 7 December 2010 will be circulated as soon as it is available.
Minutes:
This report was withdrawn.
Overview and Scrutiny Management Board
Tuesday, 7 December 2010 5:30 pm
108.
The Strategic Director, Development, Culture and Regeneration submits a report that informs the Board of the review of the Business Case for the proposed development of a new Contemporary Art Gallery, to replace the City Gallery, on the site of the former Workplace Nursery at 50 New Walk and presents a range of potential options for the future provision of contemporary visual arts within the City. The Board is asked to consider the report and advise Cabinet of its views on the recommendations.
Minutes:
This item was withdrawn from the agenda.
Agenda and minutes
Cabinet
Monday, 29 March 2010 1:00 pm
201.
The Cabinet Lead for Culture and Leisure submits a report that informs Cabinet Members of the revised design for the new contemporary art gallery to be developed, subject to planning consent, on the site of the former Workplace Nursery at 50 New Walk. Cabinet is asked to approve the recommendations set out in Paragraph 3.1 of the report.
A minute extract from the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board held on 22 March 2010 will be circulated as soon as it is available.
Additional documents:
Minutes:
Councillor Patel submitted a report that informed Cabinet Members of the revised design for the new contemporary art gallery to be developed, subject to planning consent, on the site of the former Workplace Nursery at 50 New Walk.
He explained that he was supportive, in principle, of the project, but wanted to ensure that costs did not spiral. He, therefore, asked Cabinet to agree, in addition to the recommendations in the report, that approval be subject to Cabinet’s endorsement of a robust business case. He also recommended that the Project Board be chaired by Councillor Osman and attended by Councillor Wann.
Members of Cabinet supported the proposed gallery, noting the contribution of the outreach education work and its potential benefits to people’s wellbeing. It was stated that this was the latest aspect of the cultural offer in the city, of which residents could be proud. There was agreement that a robust business case was required, and contract timescales should be closely monitored.
Opposition leaders expressed concern regarding the cost of the project, the ability to fund the facility long-term, particularly in relation to the café, and its location. The Leader noted the comments and assured them that due diligence would be taken with regard to the business case, which would include issues of sustainability. He also stated that Members were accountable to the public in respect of costs for the scheme.
RESOLVED:
that Cabinet, subject to Cabinet endorsement of a robust business case,
1) proceeds with the replacement City Gallery project on the basis of the design and plans included at Appendix 1 and approves these as the basis for a new Planning Application for the demolition of the former Workplace Nursery - 50 New Walk and construction of a new contemporary art gallery in its place;
2) authorises the Director, Legal Services to enter into the various legal agreements necessary to complete the development;
3) agrees that the matter is urgent on the grounds that delaying and or prolonging the project at this stage is likely to incur additional cost for the Council and that in accordance with Cabinet Procedure Rule 12(d) of the constitution, no call-in may be made of the Cabinet decision.
4) agrees that Councillor Osman chairs the Project Board, and that Councillor Wann also be a member.
Agenda and minutes
Cabinet
Monday, 3 August 2009 1:00 pm
Monday, 3 August 2009 1:00 pm
45.
Councillor Connelly submits a report that briefs Members on the revised response and associated costings by Marsh Grochowski Architects and Focus Consultants UK Ltd, which are based on the architectural brief developed by Arts and Museums and approved by Cabinet on 1 September 2008, and seeks agreement to an increase in capital funding for the Replacement City Gallery. Cabinet is recommended to approve to proceed with the replacement of the City Gallery, which provides improved facilities, at a cost of £2.441m.
A minute extract from the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board, held on 30 July 2009, will be circulated as soon as it is available.
Additional documents:
Minutes:
Councillor Connelly submitted a report that briefed Members on the revised response and associated costings by Marsh Grochowski Architects and Focus Consultants UK Ltd, which were based on the architectural brief developed by Arts and Museums and approved by Cabinet on 1 September 2008,
Councillor Connelly explained that the new City Gallery would be situated on the old city workplace nursery site in New Walk and would host both national and international exhibitions. The City Gallery would end the need for people to travel to other cities for art exhibitions and in turn, people would come to Leicester, which would boost tourism and footfall in the city.
Councillor Connelly requested that in addition to the recommendations contained within the report, Members also agreed that the matter was urgent on the grounds that 1) stopping the project and then restarting it would incur additional costs, and 2) delays to the completion of the gallery would mean that the Council would continue to pay rent on the lease for the Granby Street site, and the Council may also need to renew the lease for a further period because the current lease was due to expire soon. Because of the urgency, he recommended that, according to Cabinet procedure Rule 12(d) of the Constitution, no call-in be made of the Cabinet decision.
Councillor Grant questioned whether the Cabinet Members considered the project was one of their highest priorities and whether the VAT rebate, which would be used as funding towards the scheme, should be used for other corporate projects.
Councillor Coley expressed concerns that the projected costs were £1.3 million more than the original estimate. He also stated that the largest park in the City had no public toilets, which he thought was a high priority.
Councillor Willmott responded that the new City Gallery would be an investment, which would complete the refurbishment of New Walk and would also be part of the successful regeneration in Leicester. The new building would be an architecturally designed building with first-rate facilities. Councillor Willmott also added that when the idea first came forward for the City Gallery, a ‘ball park’ figure had been given to Members. The decision had been taken that the Gallery was worth investing in, and the scheme had developed since then.
Councillor Connelly added that the lack of toilet facilities in Western Park had already been raised and that the Council were looking at this issue, however the City Gallery would be a facility that would be available for all citizens in Leicester.
RESOLVED:
that Cabinet agrees:
1) to proceed with the replacement of the City Gallery, which provides improved facilities at a cost of £2.441m.
2) that the matter is urgent on the grounds that:
· stopping the project at this stage and restarting it would incur additional costs;
· that delays in the completion of the new gallery would mean that the Council would continue to pay rent on the lease for the Granby Street site and may also need to ... view the full minutes text for item 45.
Agenda and minutes
Cabinet
Monday, 1 September 2008 1:00 pm
69.
Councillors Connelly and Willmott submit a report that seeks Cabinet approval for the development of the old Workplace Nursery building as a new contemporary art gallery to replace the City Gallery. Cabinet is recommended to approve the conversion and to authorise an addition to the capital programme 2008/09 to fund the conversion costs.
Minutes:
Councillors Connelly and Willmott submitted a report that sought Cabinet approval for the development of the old Workplace Nursery building as a new contemporary art gallery to replace the City Gallery.
It was noted that this proposal was part of the Council’s commitment to arts and culture for the city, alongside Curve and the Digital Media Centre, and also contributed to the improvement of New Walk in bringing the building back into use.
RESOLVED:
1) that Cabinet gives approval for the conversion of the old Workplace Nursery into a new contemporary arts facility at an estimated cost of £984,850;
2) that Cabinet authorises an addition to the capital programme 2008/09 of £1.1m to fund the conversion costs.
