Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Malcolm Le Bas and Huw Morgan.

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 24^th November 2015 and to deal with any matters arising, attached.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Committee meeting held on 24^th November 2015 be approved and signed as a correct record. 

Matters arising – Annual Report

It was noted that the Annual Report would be put before the Trustees at their meeting to be held on Wednesday 21^st September. 

To receive a verbal update from the Art Curator.

The Committee received a verbal update from the Art Curator detailing the forthcoming art programme of events. 

The Committee congratulated the Curator on the varied and highly sort after programme of exhibitions planned for the Art Gallery.  Their concern was the ability to turn the excellent content into footfall, programme appended to the minutes. 

To receive a verbal update on the restoration insurance of the Art Collection.

The Committee received an update on the restoration insurance of the Art Collection from the Arts and Heritage Manager who reported that insurance claims for restoration were capped at £20K and that the highest value of conservation during the past year had only amounted to £1,175.

The Committee expressed concern that the restoration insurance was for small scale accidental damage rather than cover for major disaster such as fire or flood damage. 

It was noted that there had been a misunderstanding of the type and level of specialist insurance cover for damage to the collection. In order to resolve the problem it was agreed the Council’s insurer meets with a member of the Advisory Committee to ensure the approach was clear and that competitive approach was adopted, i.e a tender for the insurance policy was sought taking into consideration the Council’s procurement procedure rules. 

Payment method for the insurance would be considered further once a quote had been received.

Report of the Arts and Heritage Manager seeking approval of the Annual Report and recommend for submission for approval by Trustees, attached.

The Committee received an update report on the Annual Report to be submitted to the Trust in September. 

To receive verbal update on the ACE bid.

The Committee noted that the ACE and HLF bids were being combined to form a Joint Museum Resilience Bid.  Southampton City Council were the Bid Leaders and results of the Bid would be known on 31^st July 2016.

To receive a verbal update on progress for the HLF bid.

Concerns were raised by Committee Members that their involvement in the business case was too late for them to advise Trust members. 

The Committee were reassured by the Cabinet Member that they would be sent the bid papers to consider as soon as they were complete before other key stakeholders were consulted. 

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.