Agenda item

Andrew Gostelow, Service Lead: Economy and Tourism and Emalene Hickman, Culture and Creative Sector Development Officer for Winchester City Council introduced the report which provided an update on the Arts Programme following its consideration at Cabinet Member for Business and Culture Decision Day on 11 September 2024, whereby the plan was approved, including the implementation of Phase 1 and the creation of a community commissioning panel. Officers outlined the following matters:

(a)       Phase One Programme:

·       Focus - Words and storytelling, exploring language and community belonging.

·       Themes - Belonging and environmental responsibility.

·       Strand One - Commissioning an established writer to create a bespoke piece of work about the area.

·       Strand Two - Hosting three sets of writing workshops for residents, with temporary displays of their work.

·       Community Panel - Establishing a community panel to inform arts programme decisions and ensuring community involvement.

·       Evaluation - Monitoring the programme to ensure it meets its goals of community engagement and embedding arts in the community.

(b)            Funding and Future Phases:

·       Phase One Budget - Approximately £120,000.

·       Remaining Funds - Approximately £50,000 would be carried forward to future phases.

·       Community Panel Input - The community panel would provide input on Phases 2 and 3, leading to an updated public art plan.

The Forum raised a number of questions which were responded to by the relevant officer’s present on the following points:

(i)         Budget Allocation: Councillor Brook questioned the allocation of       £120,000 to the words-based project. Officers clarified that this         covered all aspects of the programme, including staffing, materials, and      community engagement.

(ii)        Community Support: Councillor Brook expressed concerns about community support for the words-based project. She queried the costs,          particularly as it was temporary and only a small percentage of    residents would participate.

(iii)     Consultation and Rationale: Officers defended the project, emphasising     the extensive consultation undertaken by Studio Response and the      positive feedback received. Andrew Gostelow explained that the use of word aimed to foster community cohesion and a sense of place, offering a platform for residents to share their feelings about the area.          In addition, he mentioned that the proposals had been previously    shared with the forum and ward councillors.

(iv)     Lack of Community Spaces - Councillor Brook raised the lack of      suitable community space to display a word-based project.

(v)       Previous Art Projects - Councillor Read queried the status of two     previous art projects:

·       The Ring at Milk Lane – Councillor Read asked about the replanting of oak trees at the entrance to Mil Lane. Officers explained that the project was part of the previous programme and had been discussed. They decided against replanting with oak trees due to advice from horticultural experts that they were not suitable species  for that location and form. Steve Lincoln confirmed that the area was replanted with young trees that would take time to establish.

·       “Grow Your Boat” Project - Councillor Crichton clarified that this project, which involved planting trees to form the shape of a boat, was originally intended for a different location. It was suggested that discussions take place with the town centre regeneration team, considering the integration of the West of Waterlooville community with the wider Waterlooville area.

(vi)     Wellington Park Relevance - Councillor Crichton emphasised that art      projects in Wellington Park should be relevant to that community.

                     RESOLVED:

                               That the report be received and noted.