Agenda item

Scrutiny Committee will be reviewing and providing feedback on the draft Cabinet report considering the Future Direction of Cornerstone Arts Centre, Didcot.

Before this item proceeded, chair agreed on a two-minute break for attendees. The committee also voted to extend the meeting as allowed by the Constitution, by half an hour, and this vote was taken part way through the discussion below.

Cabinet member for Community Wellbeing introduced the report.

The Cornerstone and the Arts and Culture sector in general had encountered difficulties in recent years. There was also the challenge of building issues for Cornerstone, such as the boiler and a roof leak. To start, we wanted to define the problems, therefore we commissioned some studies - noting that the studies were a snapshot in time, but there were many useful recommendations to take forward. The cabinet member wanted to hear the committee’s views to help develop the action plan. Cabinet member explained that the 18-month timescale was tight but kept us accountable for keeping on target and monitoring progress.

Also present was the Deputy Chief Executive for Place, the Head of Development and Corporate Landlord. The Arts Centre Director was present online.

Committee raised the following questions and comments:

·       A member considered that this was ongoing for a number of years, and he asked why the reports were over a year old, as action was needed sooner and he would like to understand staffing and other aspects. He felt that more time was required to discuss this. How can Cornerstone relate to different age groups, crafts and arts? We needed to understand the lease structure. In response, the cabinet member felt that there had been many challenges for Cornerstone that had been dealt with and responsibility had been taken for those. Cabinet member expressed that the skill sets were needed for improving communications on arts and culture and knowledge of the business, audience development etc.

·       A member felt this issue hinged on recruiting the right skilled people to help. There was concern over the action plan impeding any staff recruited with the right skillset. The committee member stated that she would like to see data on response to social media and attendance at shows/events and compare to other theatres. Committee member felt that comedy shows were popular and Cornerstone could offer more like that, and added that Didcot had transport access routes to support more visitors. On the action plan, Cabinet member explained that the action plan had been compiled with the help of expert recommendations therefore shouldn’t impede staff hired to make progress.

·       Monthly data was wanted and a comparison with comparable centres in 18-months’ time. Cabinet member explained that staff were already providing this information and would continue to.

·       A member recalled that the auditorium was downgraded many years ago, you can’t draw in so many big acts with less seats and he considered the impact of increasing seats.

·       It was felt that external funding sources should be sought as soon as possible.

·       Effective marketing – a member suggested looking into marketing via other mailing lists such as the Beacon, cross promotion.

·       Suggestion of having pantomimes, and the longer-term promotion associated with them to gather interest from the public. The committee member also suggested partnering with local dance and drama clubs. Cabinet member suggested that pantos were moved away from due to production costs often meaning the event didn’t make a profit. Since then, there was better response to varied events held like movie showings, puppet shows, craft. There were some dance clubs already, and the centre gets commission for selling tickets but staff were looking at options to expand on that.

·       It was suggested that weekday nights need to be used better.

·       Need to generate a habit of getting people to go there regularly.

·       Many members felt that marketing was key. Cabinet member added that marketing staff felt the budget caused restrictions on marketing activities.

·       Discussed decarbonisation – a member suggested that this might not pay off for this building. Cabinet member explained that funding would be externally sourced. Consultants advise on what would be suitable works, and it was acknowledged that there were awkward aspects of the building to decarbonise.

·       Members asked if there were ways to share best practice. Add to short-term plan and learn from other similar sized venues locally who were performing better. Officer added that the team were in touch with The Mill in Banbury.

The committee provided their views, and on balance members felt the centre was a wanted arts and culture facility and that the review had to get underway as soon as possible.

Recommendation:

Members of the committee reviewed and provided feedback on the Draft Future Direction of Cornerstone Arts Centre cabinet report and they approved immediate progression of the action plan, but ask that Cabinet consider the following recommendations:

1. Better reporting and more frequent reporting was wanted. Monthly analysis and faster outputs were requested.

2. Funding sources should be explored as soon as possible.

3. Committee members suggested the need for a clear marketing and promotion review, with a review of shows and show types, think bigger for the wider catchment area.

4. Members considered that energy savings should be explored at the property.

5. Scrutiny want an update report within 12 months, ahead of the 18-month timescale for the action plan.

Members were reminded that they could comment further at full council.