Issue - meetings

To receive a verbal update on progress of the business case development for integration with Hampshire Cultural Trust.

The Committee noted that the decision was made not to progress integration of Southampton City Council Arts and Heritage service.  The Committee were informed that reasons not to progress with integration were as follows:

·  The business case showed an additional revenue cost to Southampton City Council for the first four years of operation.

·  The projected visitor earned and grant income targets were highly ambitious, increasing the level of risk to both Hampshire Cultural Trust and Southampton City Council.

·  Southampton City Council retained property and landlord risk as a result of Hampshire Cultural Trust tenancy, with particular significant obligations around the Art Gallery roof.

It was confirmed that SCC would continue to work in partnership with HCT to progress a capital funding bid to Heritage Lottery Fund in order to secure support to progress Hampshire Flagship Galleries Project, which would include improvements to Southampton City Art Gallery, including repairs to the roof.