Minutes:
Turner Contemporary
(1) Mr Hill advised that the publicity surrounding David Chipperfield Architects winning the prestigious RIBA Stirling Prize for Architecture had given a boost to the public’s confidence and had strengthened the fundraising position for the project. A public meeting was held on 16 October 2007 at the Margate Theatre Royal, which Mr Chipperfield attended to unveil the new design of the new Gallery which received unanimous support from those present. Pictures of the design were circulated to Members present.
(2) Mr Hill advised that the governance of the Turner Contemporary was still an ongoing issue that he was working hard to resolve.
(3) Mr Maddison suggested that there may be a way of receiving sponsorship through the connection of Tate and Lyle Sugar Company and the founder of the Tate Gallery. Kent County Council could look into receiving permission to advertise on the bags of sugar as he had already noted that the company currently had a voucher promotion on the bags. Mr Hill thanked Mr Maddison for his suggestion and agreed to look into this.
(4) Members raised the issue, regarding the £2m per annum revenue costs of running the Turner Contemporary and how this was going to be achieved [details of which were covered in the Medium Term Plan paper on the agenda]. Mr Hill advised that £500K per annum would be received from the Arts Council and £300k from trading, sponsorship and fundraising. He concluded that it would be his responsibility to ensure that a robust funding stream was in place by the time the Gallery was completed.
(5) Mr Maddison suggested that if solar cladding was to be used in the construction of the building there maybe a Government grant available. Ms Honey thanked Mr Maddison for his suggestion and advised that they were working closely with Mr Chipperfield on all the options available.
Olympics 2012
(6) Mr Hill announced that the County Council had successfully submitted bids for pre-games training camp sites and Kent had received that largest list of sites in the country.
Youth Clubs
(7) Mr Hill advised that three new youth clubs were being established in Hythe, Herne Bay and Ashford North.
Capital Programme
(8) Mr Hill agreed to bring back a report on the progress of Ashford Library and the new Kent History Centre to future meeting of the Committee.
Inspection
(9) Ms Honey advised that January 2008 would be a very busy time for the Directorate with inspections of the Youth Offending Service, Enhanced Youth Service Inspection, JAR, which is being led by the Children, Families and Education Directorate and the CPA inspection.
Staff Conference
(10) The first Communities Directorate’s Staff Annual Conference had been held with 100 staff in attendance. Communities POC invitees included Mr Lake, Mrs Tweed and Mr Christie.
Trading Standards
(11) Ms Honey acknowledged the work of the Trading Standards Department with the support of colleagues from Surrey County Council through the recent outbreaks of Foot and Mouth and Bluetongue diseases in the county.
(12) RESOLVED that the oral report by the Portfolio Holder and Managing Director be noted and the suggestions made by Members be noted.