Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Pat Haughton, Harold Heaton and Geoffrey Russell.

Members are reminded of their responsibility to declare any personal interest in respect of matters contained in this agenda. If the interest arises only as result of your membership of another public body or one to which you have been appointed by the Council then you only need to declare it if you intend to speak.

If the personal interest is a prejudicial interest, you must withdraw from the meeting. Normally you should leave the room before the business starts to be discussed. You do, however, have the same right to speak as a member of the public and may remain in the room to enable you to exercise that right and then leave immediately. In either case you must not seek to improperly influence a decision on the matter.

There were no declarations of interest by any of the members of the Task Group in any of the meeting’s agenda items.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Town Centre Overview and Scrutiny Task Group held on 24 September 2009 (Minutes enclosed).

The minutes of the last meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Task Group on Town Centre Vitality held on 24 September 2009 were confirmed as a correct record for signature by the Chair.

The principal purpose of the meeting will be to consider issues around the improvement of the cultural offer within the town centre as part of a number of environment topics to be assessed.

The Task Group may wish to consider, amongst other factors, the development of a cultural strategy for the town, particularly in the light of the nomination of Chorley as the City of Culture; issues surrounding the evening culture of the town centre, increased frequency of events and activities (eg food/arts festivals; wide-ranging programme of events to attract all age groups).

Christopher Bryan (Arts Development Officer) and Lee Boyer (Sports, Play and Physical Activity Manager) will attend the meeting, along with other Officers, to advise the Group of present policies and practices and future proposals.  There will be an opportunity to question the Officers and determine preliminary recommendations for assessment at a later stage.

The Chair reminded the Group that the primary purpose of the meeting was to consider issues around the improvement of the cultural offer within the town centre as part of a number of environmental topics to be assessed.

The Chair welcomed Lee Boyer (Sports, Play and Physical Activity Manager) and Christopher Bryan (Arts Development Officer), who had been invited to attend the meeting to advise the Members of current policies and practices in relation to the organisation of acts and sporting events near the town centre and to discuss suggestions and plans for future campaigns and events.

(a)   Arts/Cultural activities and opportunities

Christopher summarised the current arts and cultural offer within the town, highlighting the following elements of the programme:

• Chorley Little Theatre is a well respected and patronised entertainment provider.  The Theatre operates wholly through volunteers, with marketing and promotional help from the Council.
• Chorley Arts Partnership operates from Chorley Community Centre, providing a range of arts activities and music workshops for young people in particular.
• Mid-Summer and other Arts festivals providing a range of free performances and street entertainment etc.
• Larger corporate events such as the Christmas Lights Switch-On and Chorley Smile initiatives that are organised by the Council’s Events Manager.

The Task Group considered that the Lancastrian Room was not currently used by the Community as effectively as it might and was not realising its full potential.  A number of Members referred to its past use for concerts, dances, etc and questioned whether the current hire fees were deterring a number of community groups from using the room.  The Group did, however, appreciate the constraints on the use of the room (e.g limited seating capacity and the inflexibility of the space; lack of catering facilities; limited changing facilities for stage productions; lack of disabled persons’ access to the stage; heating costs etc.).  At the conclusion of the debate on the Lancastrian Room, the Group favoured an examination of feasible ways of encouraging a greater use of the Room, particularly for cultural and entertainment events, exhibitions and community group activities.  A member also suggested consideration of the transfer of responsibility for the administration of the Lancastrian Room from the Governance Directorate to the People Directorate, with the aim of strengthening the marketing of the facility for appropriate cultural events and exhibitions.

A Member also referred to previous opportunities for the development of a cinema/bowling alley complex, which, for various reasons, had not materialised.  The Task Group hoped that the Council would pursue any future opportunities for external sponsorship of the prestigious facility.

Reference was also made to the Chorley Film Club’s contribution to the cultural offer of the town.  The club which was based at the Chorley Little Theatre, provided a well-supported service showing a range of classic and modern films to town centre and parish audiences.

The Task Group also acknowledged the consequential benefits to the cultural life and the general economy of the town of the strengthening of the town centre’s night-time economy.  In this  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28.

The next meeting of the Task Group is scheduled to be held on Thursday, 5 November 2009.  The topic area will be agreed with the Chair.

It was AGREED that the next two meetings of the Task Group be held at 6.30pm on Thursday 5 November and Thursday 3 December 2009 (following the Executive Cabinet meeting).