Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor Kaur.

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 8^th June 2015 and to deal with any matters arising, attached.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Committee meeting held on 8th June 2015 be approved and signed as a correct record. 

Matters arising:

Item 2 – Art Gallery Roof

In relation to the Committee’s request that regular communication be established between the Committee and the Trustees rather than relying on an Annual Report, the Committee were assured that the Cabinet Member was updated on a regular basis. The Committee requested that in future all Chipperfield Advisory Meetings be co-ordinated to facilitate the attendance of the Cabinet Member.

Committee to feedback comments to the Arts and Heritage Manager. 

The Committee received an update from the Arts and Heritage Manager on the Southampton City Art Gallery Customer Research. It was noted that the research had been a valuable piece of work and provided some useful data and information. The Customer Research Report had been shared with the Arts Council England Museum Relationship Manager (South West) and a meeting had been arranged for him to visit in the New Year. It was anticipated that the Arts Council England Museum Relationship Manager (South West) would be meeting with key people during his visit to Southampton.

The research had been used to inform the Heritage Lottery Fund bid and although this bid had been unsuccessful the information would be used for future bids.

Any future research would be based on feedback received which would include feedback from the Arts Council. The Committee were asked for their ideas and feedback and it was agreed that Committee Members could feed back individual comments to the Arts and Heritage Manager. It was felt that the research could be used as a customer tool and that it could be built upon by learning from others.

Report of the Arts and Heritage Manager updating the Committee on  activities relating to Southampton City Art Gallery since the Annual Report submitted to Trustees in May of this year and seeking approval to accept works offered as a gift to the collection. 

The report of the Arts and Heritage Manager was submitted updating the Committee on activities relating to Southampton City Art Gallery since the Annual Report submitted to Trustees in May of this year and seeking approval to accept works offered as a gift to the collection. 

It was noted that following the Council Management Team discussions in August and the presentation of the ‘financial scenario’ the Hampshire Cultural Trust would be reporting back on Friday 27^th November  on whether given the ‘worst case scenario’ financial model there was further room for negotiations.

RESOLVED:

(i)  that it is recommended to Trustees that any move to combine the Trust and the Gallery to deliver the arts and heritage service should include a specific Director’s post to ensure that the Arts expertise remained and that the potential for the venue to become an international facility was realised;

(ii)  that the Advisory role to the Trust continue and be incorporated into the Governance arrangements;

(iii)  that the Arts and Heritage Manager report back to the Chipperfield Advisory Committee on the proposed timing for submission of another bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund;

(iv)  that the Arts and Heritage Manager liaise with the Council’s Risk and Insurance Manager over whether restoration insurance would be a viable option for the collection and the effect on the insurance premium;

(v)  that it be recommended to the Trustees that the Museums Code of Ethics be adopted;

(vi)  that the Art Gallery be included in the list of those organisations in the cultural quarter to ensure that it is seen as a key element of the arts complex; and

(vii)  that the acceptance of the works offered as a gift to the collection be approved.