Agenda and minutes

To approve as correct the notes of the meeting held on 9^th March 2017

The group approved the notes of the meeting held on 9 March 2017. The Cabinet Member sought the advice of the group on a potential council bid for a property for sale in the Horsham District. The group discussed the proposal, including officer advice, the history of the site, its past and potential future use and the costs. The group supported the Cabinet Members’ proposal to bid for the property, subject to the preparation of a business case.

The General Manager of the Capitol tabled a comprehensive update to the group for discussion. Members heard that:

·         2016/17 had been a second good year in succession

·         Cinema figures would be on budget

·         Professional shows (not including the pantomime) had made a surplus

·         There was a plan in place to grow the pantomime audience for 2019 to end the Year of Culture

·         Net expenditure had continued to decrease year on year

·         The catering contract would be extended whilst options were being considered

·         An initial report on the current operation of the capitol, and a range of options for the future business model, had been prepared

The General Manager outlined the programme for the year ahead and urged members to note that whilst the past year had been hugely successful, external economic factors would need to be considered in future years and management would be cautionary in its preparation of a future business model.

Members commended the success of the service. Officers noted the discussion of ticket prices, comparator sites, and the programme for the year ahead. The Cabinet Member thanked Members for their support and views, and explained the role of the service in the Medium Term Financial Strategy.

The Cabinet Member updated the group on the Year of Culture. The co-ordinator had been appointed and a Year of Culture and Heritage Board had been formed, involving community and arts organisation representatives. The Board had met for the first time in April and would meet bi-monthly thereafter. The Cabinet Member felt confident that there was good support for a diverse and participative year which would greatly benefit the local economy. One of the key roles of the Board would be to manage expectations and deliver community, volunteer and stakeholder buy-in.

The Head of Community and Culture asked members to note that:

·         Attendances at leisure centres would be down due to maintenance closures at Billingshurst and Pavilions

·         Officer discussions were underway about Rookwood golf course

·         Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours exhibition had opened at the Museum and Art Gallery and would run until 15 July. This would feature:

·         Over 50 paintings

·         23 artists from Greece to Scotland

·         12 award winning painters

As part of Horsham’s Festival of the Watercolour.