Issue - decisions

Members considered a report which sought their views on the principles behind a proposed restructure of the Arts and Culture Service.

It was noted that the decision to implement the proposed restructure would be taken by the Chief Officer and the report detailed how the method under consideration would enable the service to face new challenges and would contribute to the significant saving that the Council needs to make in its Budget for 2007/8.

The principles for the re focus of the service were to :

·          Increase active participation in the arts by widening access and diversifying the work

·          Increase active participation rates improving the offer to young people

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

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

Members considered the options contained within the report which would focus priorities and deliver the proposed budget savings.  It was recognised that refocusing services would allow for a wider engagement of young people and the community, and would improve links to extended schools and performing Arts Centres.  The options included the reorganisation of the Cultural Events team and the Arts Action team under one manager resulting in the loss of one managerial post. 

Members were concerned about the effects that would have on service delivery but the report detailed that delivery would continue through partnership work.  Having taken into consideration the letter of objection written by Unison, Members agreed that it was a realistic approach to making the saving which would have the least impact on delivering the service. 

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member note the comments on the principles set out in the report that underpin the proposed new staffing structure for the arts and Culture Service.

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED:       That the comments 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.