Agenda item

This report presents the findings, conclusions and draft recommendations arising from the Improving Evening Culture Scrutiny Review, and asks this Committee to endorse the recommendations to enable the report to be presented to Corporate and Scrutiny Management Committee (CSMC) in support of the corporate scrutiny review into York’s night time economy.

Members considered a report that presented the findings, conclusions and draft recommendations arising from the Improving Evening Culture Scrutiny Review, and asked the Committee to endorse the recommendations to enable the report to be presented to Corporate and Scrutiny Management Committee (CSMC) in support of the corporate scrutiny review into York’s night time economy.

Members were advised that the new marketing organisation (known currently as NewCo) was likely to take on a number of responsibilities covered by this review. However the way the recommendations were worded in the report would have given ownership of the recommendations to the new marketing company which was not considered correct. Therefore the Scrutiny Officer circulated an updated list of recommendations which provided better accountability for the review recommendations and an explanation of where responsibilities would sit.

Committee Members commended the Task Group and Scrutiny Officer for providing the report in such a short space of time and agreed that the new wording of the recommendations was an improvement.

Resolved:

(i)           That the report be noted.

(ii)          That the draft review conclusions at paragraph 66 of the report be endorsed.

(iii)        That the draft review recommendations at paragraphs 69 -71 of the report be amended as follows and endorsed for inclusion in the final report to be presented to Corporate and Scrutiny Management Committee.

69.  To encourage more visitors to visit the city, and more residents to participate, Cabinet to:

i.          Encourage York’s larger heritage and cultural venues to offer up their spaces for use by York’s other smaller independent entertainment providers (and by those based elsewhere in the country), outside of their normal opening hours.

ii.         Recommend cultural organisations in the city run a cultural pilot in conjunction with the Coppergate retail pilot being recommended by others.

iii.       Extend the running times for Festivals and markets to cover the early evening lull up to 8pm, and encourage Buskers and street entertainers to perform throughout that extended period.

iv.       Investigate the use of the city centre’s open spaces for open air performances during the early evening period.

v.        In an effort to breakdown barriers to families, particularly those resident, coming into the city during the early evening and continue the provision of a popular activity for young people, Cabinet to encourage relevant parties to support the revival of ‘dry’ discos for young teenagers, whilst recognising and addressing the reasons for their demise, in particular the issue of safety outside venues.

69.  To encourage a more joined up collaborative approach to cultural provision in York,

vi.          A sub-strategy for helping to develop smaller festivals and supporting independent promoters to assist them in progressing new ideas, including providing and/or signposting possible funding for promotion/marketing.

vii.         The resources for encouraging all heritage, cultural and creative providers to work collaboratively and share information.

70.  To improve awareness of York’s existing offer and any future offer:

viii.       A number of high quality managed poster boards be introduced and strategicallyand sensitively placed throughout the city centre, in line with planning and heritage guidance.

ix.          A comprehensive listings service or publication be introduced.

71.  The Task Group recognise that it may be possible to achieve draft Recommendations (i) – (iv), (vi) – (vii) & (ix)  through the new city marketing organisation (NewCo) which is currently being developed to ensure a more collaborative approach to cultural provision in York.  This would require the above strategies to be incorporated into NewCo’s draft specification which is due to be presented for Cabinet approval in May 2014.  However as NewCo’s specification is not yet available, it is not possible at this stage to confirm whether this is the appropriate implementation route.

72.  In regard to recommendation (viii), the Task Group acknowledge this may be achieved via Reinvigorate York, as part of its wayfinding strategy and as part of a collaborative effort to improve awareness.  However they would like Cabinet to consider how best to progress this should Reinvigorate York choose not to take this forward.

Reason:     To ensure compliance with scrutiny procedures and protocols, and enable the final report to be presented to Corporate & Scrutiny Management Committee in early April 2014 for their consideration, as part of the ongoing corporate scrutiny review of York’s Night Time Economy.