Agenda and minutes

Councillors Andrew Gomm, Liz Hogger (Vice Chairman) and Nigel Kearse sumitted apologies for absence.

In accordance with procedure rule 23(j) Councillor David Wright attended on behalf of Councillor Nigel Kearse.

Also in attendance were:

Councillor David Bilbé, Lead Councillor for Economic Development, Tourism and Climate Change

Councillor Richard Billington, Lead Councillor for Rural Economy, Countryside, Parks and Leisure

Councillor Nikki Nelson-Smith, Lead Councillor for Internal Business Systems, Heritage and the Arts

Councillor Caroline Reeves, representing the Public Art Advisory Group (PAAG)

In accordance with the revised local Code of Conduct, a councillor is required to disclose at the meeting any Disclosable Pecuniary Interest (DPI) that they may have in respect of any matter for consideration on this agenda.  Any councillor with a DPI must not participate in any discussion or vote regarding that matter and they must withdraw from the meeting immediately before consideration of the matter.

If that DPI has not been registered, the councillor must notify the Monitoring Officer of the details of the DPI within 28 days of the date of the meeting.

There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary interest.

To confirm the minutes of the Executive Advisory Board meeting held on 31 October 2016 [minutes to follow].

The minutes of the Executive Advisory Board meeting held on 31 October 2016 were confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive a presentation and consider the review and update of the current Public Art Strategy.

It was explained that the Public Art Strategy and the Arts Development Strategy were both due for renewal. A paper discussing a new Arts Development Strategy had been submitted to the Society, Environment and Council Development Executive Advisory Board in July 2016. This paper submitted to the Borough, Economy and Infrastructure Board concerned a new Public Art Strategy, which related to the installation of public art projects.

The Board received a presentation from the Arts Officers, which set out the reasons why there was a need for two separate strategies and the differences between the two pieces of work. Notably, public art commissions tended to be capital projects, had different funding streams and involved different stakeholders and areas of expertise. Arts development focussed on the process of taking part and received an annual revenue budget of £10,000 from the council. The presentation set out the benefits of public art, the limitations of the existing strategy and the approach and timescales for renewal. The approach to the renewal of the strategy included public consultation, engaging an external arts consultant and a review of the existing Public Art Advisory Group (PAAG).

It was noted that one of the sources for public art commissions was developer contributions known as Section 106 funds through planning. Historically, this funding had been tied to the general geographic area close to the development itself and thus restricted the place in which art could be located. New planning rules for developer contributions,  called the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), which is, yet to be implemented by this Council,  has the potential to open up the expenditure of developer  funding beyond a specific development. This change in the rules means that public art commissions placed anywhere in the borough might draw down from CIL funds. Through the production of the new Public Art Strategy, the feasibility of Section 106, CIL and other means of funding public art will be explored.

The Board was asked to consider the outline process of the consultation, which consultation groups should be involved; what should be the skill-set of the PAAG; what opportunities were there for promoting public art and raising the profile of its benefits. In addition, the Chairman suggested the Board might also consider if a Public Art Strategy were needed; if the answer was yes, to consider other sources of funding; if it were proper that funding should be raised through the planning budget; and if the recruitment of a consultant was the best approach.

In noting that public art might not just be sculptural or iconic, but could have a functional purpose including lighting, landscaping, road-calming or street furniture the Board made the following comments;

·         Generally, the Board was in favour of public art commissions and the need to have a separate strategic approach from arts development. There were a variety of views and opinions put forward on the type and location of existing and future commissions.

·         Although the Board acknowledged that there were many differing views about the value of  ...  view the full minutes text for item BEI44

To receive a presentation and consider the priorities of the Rural Economic Strategy.

The item had been previously presented to the Board in February of this year. At that point, in time work was at an early stage. The Board had the opportunity to consider and to contribute to the initial scoping and offered advice.

The Local Economy Manager informed the Board that since February the council had created the new post of Rural Economy Officer on a fixed term basis of two years. The purpose of this post was to develop and deliver the new strategy. Recruitment to the post was three months previously and since then work had been ongoing. The item was back before the Board to introduce the new Rural Economy Officer and to provide an opportunity for further comment on work to date. It was intended that the draft strategy would be put before the Executive in March 2017.

The Chairman welcomed Chris Stanton, the new Rural Economy Officer, who delivered a presentation in which was proposed a draft five-year plan for the rural economy.

It was explained that the strategy would be a local document, but it would also respond to national influences and drivers such as the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement and ‘Brexit’. A rural mapping exercise had been commissioned from Hampshire County Council Research and Intelligence which was underway. In the meantime, early work had identified six strategic interim priorities along with a number of objectives on which the Executive Advisory Board was asked to comment.

The Lead Member for Economic Development, Tourism and Climate Change said the rural economy needed a voice in the council and that the rural picture was multifaceted including farming, business development and tourism. It was essential to create a quantitative map of the rural economic area to understand the true extent of rural business opportunities and needs.

The Board made the following comments:

·         It was noted that with a fixed term contract of two years the maximum benefit must be made of having a dedicated officer in post.

·         The recognition of the rural areas in the council’s strategic thinking was welcomed.

·         There were a number of priorities and objectives identified in the paper submitted to the Board. Some were considered to be achievable in a shorter time period than others and some new ideas were proposed:

§Improve broadband access and download speeds in rural areas

§Give the Council website a rural dimension

§Encourage others to create or use alternative energy sources sourced in the area such as wood and water

§Encourage countryside-focused officers to further develop the Guildford Waverley Woodland Cooperation Agreement.

§Further develop relationships with our parish councils

§Ensure the council is fully engaged in projects concerning off-road biking routes

§Ensure the council is fully engaged in projects concerning Newlands Corner

§Continue to nurture positive relationships with the Surrey Hills partnership groups and projects

§The Surrey Hills Trust Fund could become a permanent income stream for rural projects and initiatives

·         The strategy should address rural deprivation.

·         There should be  ...  view the full minutes text for item BEI45

To consider and approve the EAB’s draft work programme.  Details of future Executive decisions are included.  

The Executive Advisory Board Work Programme was noted.

The update report was noted.