Issue - meetings

The purpose of this report is to consult the Executive Member about a restructure of the Arts and Culture Service.  Under the Council's Constitution the Chief Officer has the power to implement minor restructures.  Before implementing this proposed restructure the views of the Executive Member and Advisory Panel are sought on the principles set out.

That the Executive Member note the principles set out in the report

REASON:      To secure the increased engagement of young people in the arts, the delivery of a Wider Opportunities programme in schools and that the service arm operates within the budgets set for 2007/08.

Members considered a report about a restructure of the Arts and Culture Service. The guiding principles for the revised structure were:

·           Increasing active participation in the arts by widening access and diversifying our work.

·           Increasing active participation rates improving our offer to young people.

·           Creating safer and stronger communities through focused, targeted work, especially in those communities where active participation rates are low

·           Focusing our festival work on community and arts development whilst working in partnership to promote the ‘York-City of Festivals’ brand.

Members discussed the report and raised the following concerns:

·           How does the service become inclusive and come up with a picture of the City as a whole?

·           Does the Service know who our communities are?

·           What is the largest minority community within the City?

·           How were the statistics surrounding active participation rates worked out?

A letter from Unison was also considered. The Executive Member noted that the letter queried why there was a need to restructure given that the service had recently been restructured. Officers advised that it was appropriate staff were paid correctly according to the job they were doing. The Executive Member agreed and highlighted that now was an appropriate time for a review of the service as it was facing different challenges today than three years ago.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

·           That the Executive Member note the principles set out in the report

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED:The advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and  endorsed  

REASON:                     To secure the increased engagement of young people in the arts, the delivery of a Wider Opportunities programme in schools and that the service arm operates within the budgets set for 2007/08.