Agenda and draft minutes

To receive apologies for absence from the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Shepperd and Councillor Smith. Councillor Hodson was present as a substitute for Councillor Shepperd and Councillor Wheatley was present as a substitute for Councillor Smith.

Confirmation of the Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 08 January 2025.

Member’s reviewed the minutes of the previous Committee held on Wednesday 08 January 2025.  There was a query regarding the CCTV for Victoria Park, on page 4 of the minutes. The Head of Legal and Governance (& Monitoring Officer) updated members on the progress of this work and agreed to share the date a review of CCTV for Victoria Park was started.

It was proposed by Councillor Brenton, seconded by Councillor Thomas and –

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 08 January 2025 be agreed and signed as a correct record.

(Vote: For 7, Abstentions 2)

15 minute period for public contributions. The deadline for registering to speak is by 2pm on Monday 10 February 2025.

There were 2 requests received to speak at the Committee.  Both speakers were granted their 3 minutes to address members.

Paschale Straiton – Red Herring Community Interest 

Paschale Straiton introduced Red Herring Productions, an outdoor arts organisation based in Bideford, which focused on performances in public space and reaching those who do not typically visit theatres or galleries.  

Examples of their national and local work were highlighted, including workshops and interactive performances – noting specific projects like the Egg Shack in Bideford and the Stepping Out Festival.  

Future plans were also highlighted, including a large-scale project planned for 2028 celebrating Bideford and referencing the Witch Trials. 

Grace Rodgers – Contemporary Artist

Grace Rodgers introduced herself as a freelance curator and shared examples of her work locally and nationally. She explained how her work focuses on the natural environment, human connection to nature and community engagement.  

Examples of previous work with The Plough in Torrington and a residency at Ben Nevis were all shared with members and Grace highlighted planned work with the Northam Burrows Centre and on the Pebbleridge.  

It was agreed that a presentation from Grace would be shared with members following the meeting. 

Following both presentations members recognised the need for funding. There was discussion on the variety of ways to support artists, including Councillor grants and the importance of linking with other arts organsations and the Cultural Development Officer at Torridge District Council (TDC).

Members with interests should refer to the agenda item and describe the nature of their interest when the item is considered.

Members were reminded that declarations of interest should be made as and when the specific agenda item to which they related was under discussion.

Councillor Cottle-Hunkin declared an interest in relation to Agenda Item 297 and 298. She advised she was the Lead Member for Culture and Community, a visitor of The Plough and was a Board Member for Active Torridge.

Councillor Cottle-Hunkin advised that as a result she would hand over the Chairing of item 297 on Active Torridge to another Committee Member and would not take part in discussion.

There were no Part II items.

None raised.

An opportunity to hear from The Burton, The Plough and Art Makers on their work in the District.

Claire Gulliver, Cultural Development Officer at TDC,  introduced herself and explained her role within the Economic Development Team, supporting regeneration projects and delivering the Northern Devon Culture Strategy. Whilst highlighting some of the work taking place the importance of pulling together funding streams and investment was noted along with working with the Arts Council and Northern Devon Cultural Partnership to boost the cultural sector.

Members noted the recent North Devon public consultation on public arts funding and the wants of the community – it was asked if TDC could mirror this within the district.  The Cultural Development Officer advised she would be happy to work with Councillors on a similar project.

The Plough

Emma Marsden and Fran Hardiman provided members with a detailed presentation covering the vision for the Plough Arts Centre, focusing on creativity, community, and connection and emphasising the importance of play and fun within their programmes.

The presentation went on to highlight the variety of programmes offered, including live theatre, music, comedy, youth theatre, outdoor theatre and hubs, and community events – and their efforts to continue to attract a younger audience. 

The challenges the Plough face were detailed for members –notable issues mentioned were lack of local transport links, as well as increasing energy costs, the impact of the cost of living on sales, the need for funding and the impact of these challenges on the reserves.

The presentation went on to detail how The Plough plans to manage these challenges and their future plans for the building. The buy a brick funding campaign was highlighted, along with the income stream coming from events at the Plough cafe.  The key role of volunteers was emphasised and recognised as one of the reasons why the Plough continues to operate.

The Chief Executive highlighted the outreach that takes place at the Plough, their work with schools, the theatre hubs across the district, and she provided some of the positive feedback received from those who attend the Youth Theatre.

In summing up it was noted The Plough will be 50 years old in April this year, and the plans for the ‘next 50 years’ including how Arts Council funding would be used

Members asked the following questions:

Following a question about The Plough’s work with schools and colleges the Chief Executive confirmed this work was dependent on funding and resources to deliver. The Trustee for The Plough summarised links with Torrington Bluecoats and Great Torrington School and provided examples of outreach they’d received funding for. The potential for links with the Burton in terms in  future work were recognised. 

Members asked about ownership of the building, and the Chief Executive confirmed that the Plough own their building. She went on to advise of the renovation works needed and the aim to install solar panels to help with increasing energy costs.

There was a question regarding outreach work in Holsworthy . The Chief Executive  advised that The Plough aim to do as much outreach as possible, but this was dependant  ...  view the full minutes text for item 297.

The Chair, Councillor Cottle-Hunkin,  declared an interest as a Board Member of Active Torridge and advised members she would step back as Chair and not taking part in discussion. 

It was proposed by Councillor Cottle-Hunkin, seconded by Councillor Wheatley and –

Resolved:

That the Chair role be passed to Councillor Hodson for this item.

(Vote: For, unanimous)

The Head of Communities and Place declared an interest as a Board Member of Active Torridge and introduced the item. 

The Chief Operating Officer for Active Torridge delivered a presentation for members which highlighted the strategic aims of the organisation, and the key performance indicators:

•           Income and Expenditure

•           Admissions

•           Customer Satisfaction

•           Community Impact

•           Operational Compliance

There was further detail on what the above indicators would measure and how they would be monitored.

Members asked if the customer satisfaction survey would be managed in house. The Chief Operating Officer confirmed it would be in house and the reasons behind this decision.

It was asked what schemes were in place for those on low income who wished to access the provision. The Chief Operating Officer confirmed this was offered in the membership price and examples of the types of concessions were provided.

Following a question on the Exercise on Prescription scheme the Chief Operating Officer advised that Active Torridge had a referral scheme in place, and there were qualified members of staff trained to provide this service. It was explained that this would develop further when the works to the fourth Active Torridge venue was complete.  Further training was also planned for more of the Active Torridge staff.

More detail was requested regarding how the discounted membership was managed, the Chief Operating Officer advised that this was a monthly payment that was discounted and there was no contract so membership could be cancelled quickly. It was also noted that, following a successful funding bid, Active Torridge had provided 100 free annual memberships to people who met certain criteria – future work and funding opportunities were being explored to see if this could continue.

There was discussion regarding the aims of Active Torridge and the impact for the community in terms of the affordability of the service and access to provision – specific concern was raised in terms of competition with other local providers.

The Head of Community & Place advised how the investment from TDC was helping Active Torridge to deliver on providing affordable access to fitness for the community, but further improvements would likely require members to agree further investment.  It was noted that the offer from Active Torridge also included swimming pools and the importance of this provision for the community (being close to the sea) and the costs involved in terms of maintenance.  

It was asked when members would start to see the KPIs with populated statistics.  The Chief Operating Officer advised that monitoring would start in line with the financial year. 

Discussion returned to the types of concessions available to the community accessing Active Torridge, and it  ...  view the full minutes text for item 298.

To review the action list.

Chair, Councillor Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin, advised members of her plan to follow up on actions from the meeting today specifically around the Arts  - access to transport links, art in public spaces and the impact of Devolution.

212. Cllr Hodson advised of announcement and result from judicial review, which had found in favour of County and a report was to follow.  It was advised that applicants may be appealing and the action would remain as ongoing.

220. An update on the action relating to the development of the Family Hub model was provided on behalf of Cllr A Brenton.  The action remains ongoing. 

271. Head of Legal and Governance (& Monitoring Officer) advised that this had been chased, but no response as yet.

Cllr Thomas left the meeting at 12:54

To review the forward plan.

Chair advised of the final meeting for this cycle. The forward plan would be reviewed following the AGM.

The Chair to move:-

That the public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting because of the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

It was proposed by , seconded by and –

Resolved:

That under Section 100(a)(4) of the Local Government Act (as amended) the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business because of the likely disclosure of exempt information by virtue of Paragraph 3 of Part 1 and Paragraph 10 of Part 2 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972

(Vote: )

It was proposed by, seconded by and –

Resolved:

That the press and public be readmitted.

(Vote: )