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Portsmouth City Borough Council
Councillors: 42
Wards: 14
Committees: 37
Meetings (2025): 120
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Meeting

Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Economic Development - Portsmouth City

Minutes
Published
Decisions
Published
Meeting Times
Scheduled Time
Start:
Tuesday, 8th February 2022
4:30 PM
End:
Tuesday, 8th February 2022
8:30 PM
Actual Time
Started:
Tuesday, 8th February 2022
4:30 PM
Finished:
Tuesday, 8th February 2022
9:18 PM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Date:
08 Feb 2022
Location:
Council Chamber - The Guildhall, Portsmouth
Meeting Attendees
Councillor Tom Coles photo
Opposition spokesperson
Councillor Tom Coles

Labour

Apologies

View Profile
Cabinet Member
Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Economic Development
Councillor Ben Dowling

Present, as expected

Opposition spokesperson
Councillor Linda Symes

Apologies

Opposition spokesperson
Group Leader
Councillor Claire Udy

Present, as expected

Agenda
1 Apologies for absence
Minutes Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Tom Coles and Linda Symes.
2 Declarations of interest
Minutes There were no declarations of interest.
3 Summer Reading Challenge
Purpose

To inform the Cabinet member on the Library and Archive Service's delivery of the Summer Reading Challenge in 2021; the number of children participating; the Winners' event at Southsea Castle and our involvement in a national pilot scheme to increase participation amongst disadvantaged pupils.

RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet Member agrees that in order to increase participation in next year's Summer Reading Challenge, especially by disadvantaged pupils, the Library and Archive Service applies for Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF) funding in Summer 2022.
Minutes Dave Percival, Library & Archive Services Manager, introduced the report.

The Chair welcomed the expansion of the Reading Challenge. Councillor Udy thanked officers for the HAF provision which makes the Challenge more inclusive and accessible.

DECISION

The Cabinet Member agreed that in order to increase participation in next year's Summer Reading Challenge, especially by disadvantaged pupils, the Library and Archive Service applies for Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF) funding in Summer 2022.
4 Universal Library Offers: Health and Wellbeing
Purpose

To update the Cabinet Member on the continuing work undertaken by libraries that contributes to improving health and wellbeing outcomes for our residents.
Attachments:
Minutes Dave Percival, Library & Archive Services Manager, introduced the report.

The Cabinet Member said the work described in the report showed how far libraries in Portsmouth were removed from the stereotypical view; they are more than just buildings for books.

The Cabinet member noted the report which is for information only and is not subject to call-in.
5 Parks Fees and Charges
Purpose

To seek approval for annual changes to the fees and charges levied for the use of Parks facilities for the financial year 2022/23.

RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet Member approves the fees and charges in accordance with the attached schedules (Appendix A).
Minutes Adrian Rozier, Service Manager (Parks and Open Spaces), introduced the report.

The Cabinet Member noted increases were mainly due to inflation and that the proposed schedule simplified fees and charges.

DECISION

The Cabinet Member agreed that the fees and charges be approved in accordance with the attached schedules (Appendix A).
6 Reviving Victoria Park - National Heritage Lottery Fund
Purpose

To advise the Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Economic Development of the National Lottery Heritage Fund ("NLHF") award of funding to the 'Reviving Victoria Park - the people's park in Portsmouth' project and the terms of the grant.

RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet Member

1.    Accepts the grant award of £2,273,000 from NLHF towards delivering the identified works in Victoria Park.

2.    Agrees that Portsmouth City Council acts as applicant, accepting the grant offer together with all the terms and conditions of the National Lottery Heritage Fund award.  To ensure compliance with all the award criteria obligations including all the grant conditions.

3.    Delegates authority to the Director of Culture, Leisure and Regulatory Services to manage and deliver the project in line with NLHF requirements.
Minutes Adrian Rozier, Service Manager (Parks and Open Spaces), introduced the report.

The Cabinet Member said the award was a positive news story and thanked the team for their hard work. Victoria Park is the "people's park" and plays a role at all stages of people's lives. Councillor Udy congratulated the team on receiving the award.

DECISION

The Cabinet Member

1.     Accepted the grant award of £2,273,000 from NLHF towards delivering the identified works in Victoria Park.

2.     Agreed that Portsmouth City Council acts as applicant, accepting the grant offer together with all the terms and conditions of the National Lottery Heritage Fund award. To ensure compliance with all the award criteria obligations including all the grant conditions.

3.     Delegated authority to the Director of Culture, Leisure and Regulatory Services to manage and deliver the project in line with NLHF requirements.
7 Silver Exhibition
Purpose

To provide a report on progress developing the Silver Exhibition to take place at Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery from May 2022 until February 2023.

RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet Member agrees that

1.    Progress developing the exhibition and securing of funding is noted.

2.    Preparations developing the exhibition and programme continue.
Attachments:
Minutes James Daly, Cultural Development and Projects Officer, introduced the report.

The Cabinet Member looked forward to finding out the stories behind the exhibits and noted the silver displayed in the Lord Mayor's corridor was just one part of the city's collection. He thanked the team for their work.

DECISION

The Cabinet Member

1.     Agreed that progress developing the exhibition and securing of funding is noted.

2.     Agreed that preparations developing the exhibition and programme continue.
8 The Detectives - Conan Doyle Collection
Purpose

1.    To update the Cabinet Member on the details of the Arts Council funded project 'The Detectives'.

2.    To share with the Cabinet Member the first Detectives' project - Illusions of Mystery, part of the We Shine event

3.    To show how the Conan Doyle Collection is building on its extensive experience with volunteers in a formal project to showcase the positive outcomes it can achieve.
Attachments:
Minutes Laura Weston, Education & Outreach Officer, introduced the report.

The Cabinet Member said the Conan Doyle Collection was an example of hidden material with stories behind it that can be brought to life. It is important to show the public the work taking place in the Directorate.

The Cabinet Member noted the report which is for information only and is not subject to call-in.
9 Libraries and Archives Charges
Purpose

To review the fines and charges levied by Portsmouth Libraries and Archive Service in the areas of Central Library Room Hire and Portsmouth History Centre charges for services. To make recommendations to simplify the charging model, to reflect changing need and increase charges where benchmarking and commercial factors indicate this is appropriate.

RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet Member agrees that

1.    The proposals provided in Appendix 1 for the increase in room hire charges for the Menuhin Theatre and Room D on the Third Floor Central Library are agreed and implemented from 1st April 2022.

2.    The proposals provided in Appendix 2 for the simplification of the charging model and increase in charges for the Portsmouth History Centre are agreed and implemented from 1st April 2022.
Minutes Dan James, Operations Manager, (Central Library), introduced the report on behalf of Lindy Elliott (Library & Archive Services Manager).

The Cabinet Member was happy with the proposed costs and with proposals such as the trial enabling people to print directly from digital devices.

Officers clarified that the two newer projectors in the Menuhin Room in the Central Library have come from the City Museum. Officers can assist with using them, if necessary. The projector in the back room is a 35 mm film projector (a legacy of the Arts Centre) but is not much used now.

DECISION

The Cabinet Member

1.     Agreed that the proposals provided in Appendix 1 for the increase in room hire charges for the Menuhin Theatre and Room D on the Third Floor Central Library are agreed and implemented from 1April 2022.

2.     Agreed that the proposals provided in Appendix 2 for the simplification of the charging model and increase in charges for the Portsmouth History Centre are agreed and implemented from 1April 2022.
10 Museums Access Policy
Purpose

To share the Access Policy for Portsmouth Museums.

RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet Member approves the Portsmouth Museums Access Policy.
Minutes Felicity Wood, Public Participation Officer, introduced the report.

The Cabinet Member noted the more accessible the collections are the better so that fewer people are marginalised from museums.

DECISION

The Cabinet Member agreed that the Portsmouth Museums Access Policy is approved.
11 Museums Collections Development Policy - D Day and Portsmouth Museums
Purpose

To present the Collection Development Policies for Portsmouth Museums (Appendix 1) and The D-Day Story (Appendix 2).

RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet Member agrees that

1.    The priorities for future collecting, rationalisation and disposal in the two documents are noted.

2.    The Portsmouth Museums Collection Development Policy is approved.

3.    The D-Day Story Collection Development Policy is approved.
Minutes Jane Mee, Museum & Visitor Service Manager, introduced the report.

DECISION

The Cabinet Member

1.     Agreed that the priorities for future collecting, rationalisation and disposal in the two documents are noted.

2.     Agreed that the Portsmouth Museums Collection Development Policy is approved.

3.     Agreed that The D-Day Story Collection Development Policy is approved.
12 D Day Story
Purpose

To share the forward plan for The D-Day Story museum prior to the end of the National Lottery Heritage Fund funding.
Attachments:
Minutes Ross Fairbrother, General Manager D Day Story, introduced the report.

The Cabinet Member said the Forward Plan for the D Day Story is important as it moves towards a new stage with the "living history" being lost as the number of survivors decreases. D Day is particularly poignant and important for Portsmouth so it is important to engage with young people and maintain the focus on international connections. He thanked Mr Fairbrother for making his first presentation at a portfolio meeting.

The Cabinet Member noted the report which is for information only and is not subject to call-in.
13 Directorate Business Plan
Purpose

This report provides a summary of the scope of the Culture, Leisure and Regulatory Services Directorate Business Plan.

RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet Member approves the service strategies and objectives set out in the business plan.
Minutes Claire Watkins, Business Development Manager, introduced the report.

The Cabinet Member said it was important to note how the Business Plan relates to the City Vision. The Business Plan gives a clear message as to how Culture, Leisure & Regulatory Services contribute to wider services. It is a strong, forward-looking piece of work.

DECISION

The Cabinet Member approved the service strategies and objectives set out in the business plan.
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17th Mar 2023

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10th Feb 2023

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18th Nov 2022

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17th Oct 2022

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29th Jul 2022

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8th Feb 2022

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16th Nov 2021

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19th Oct 2021

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3rd Aug 2021

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12th Mar 2021

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Future Meetings
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