Agenda item

That the progress of Clwyd Theatre Cymru against delivery of its business plan and identified savings, the emerging artistic vision and increased commerciality and community links be supported.

The Chief Executive introduced a progress report on Clwyd Theatr Cymru (CTC) covering delivery of the business plan and budget efficiencies, and the emerging vision for the Theatre after the appointment of a new Artistic Director. 

The Chief Executive provided background information and context and referred to the key considerations as detailed in the report concerning progress against the business plan and the emerging artistic vision, increasing commerciality, and becoming closer to the local community. 

The Chief Executive provided clarification on the financial circumstances, governance arrangements, and accountability for CTC.  He explained that whilst facing reductions in funding from the Council, the CTC had also applied to remain an Arts Council of Wales funded organisation.  He advised that initial feedback to the application was positive, however, the actual amount of funding to be granted would not be known until later in the year.    

The Chief Officer (Organisational Change (1) ) outlined the key issues concerning delivery of the business plan and referred to the appointment of a new Artistic Director, ensuring the Theatr was fit for purpose in terms of staffing, applying for funding from the Arts Council for Wales, and capital development.

It was agreed that the Business Plan Progress report which was considered at the last meeting of the board be circulated to the committee.

The Chairman welcomed Tamara Harvey, new Artistic Director, to the meeting and invited her to give an overview of her role, responsibilities and vision for the theatre.  The Artistic Director thanked Members for their attendance and took the opportunity to pay tribute to Terry Hands, former Artistic Director, for his exceptional work in developing and promoting the theatre during the last 18 years.

The Artistic Director explained she was committed to a broader artistic programme with a holistic approach to all art forms across the building, drawing in new audiences and ensuring that Theatr Clwyd became an intrinsic part of the local communities and a symbol of innovation across the creative arts  in Wales and beyond.  She outlined the range of work to be undertaken to progress the business plan and the emerging artistic vision and referred to a broader range of production work, increasing commerciality and marketing, and development of partnerships and projects with Welsh companies and the rest of the UK.       She also reported on how the Theatr would deliver against the challenge of reduced funding from the Council in 2015/16 through the implementation of a robust and financially sustainable business framework.

Councillor Paul Shotton congratulated the Artistic Director on her recent appointment and welcomed the new initiatives.  He referred to the discussions taking place to explore touring possibilities and said he would like a more positive stance to be taken towards that happening. 

Councillor Mike Reece asked if Theatr Clwyd was included on the asset transfer programme.  The Chief Executive advised that the Theatr was not included at the moment, however,  an “open minded” approach was being taken for the future.     The Chief Officer (Organisational Change (1) ) clarified   that asset transfers took place regarding the building but not the service, alternative delivery models encompassed transfer of the building and services.

In response to the further comments from Councillor Shotton around funding from the Arts Council of Wales, the Chief Executive advised that confirmation had been received that CTC would remain a funded organisation with the Arts Council and reiterated that the amount of grant would not be known until the end of the year.

Councillor Clive Carver sought further information around the possibility of claiming Theatre Tax Relief.  He also referred to the introduction of car parking charges at the County Hall complex and expressed concerns that if CTC expanded its range of events there may not be sufficient parking capacity  and that the cost of parking may be prohibit some members of the community from attending such events.  Officers responded to the comments and questions raised.  Concerning the claiming of Theatre Tax Relief the Chief Officer (Organisational Change (1) ) explained that an achievable solution was being determined and further detail would be provided soon.  On the subject of introduction of car parking charges at the County Hall complex the Chief Executive explained that this was a complicated matter still under consideration.  He advised that parking for staff and visitors at the County Hall complex would be treated no differently to the arrangements for charges for car parking at Mold town during the day time.  There would be no charges for car parking during the evening.   

The Artistic Director acknowledged the concerns raised by Councillor Carver around car parking charges and conceded that it may deter people on low incomes from attending CTC and be detrimental to improving links with communities and attracting those people who are unlikely to visit the Theatr due to financial circumstances.

Councillor Ian Dunbar asked what action was being taken to encourage more schools to attend productions and events at CTC.  The Artistic Director responded that the Theatre continued to work closely with schools, however, one of the main challenges was the current financial restraints on school budgets. She referred to the work of the Theatre for Young People which also went into schools to deliver work experience projects and said that the Theatr recognised the need for collaboration and integration to ensure it was accessible to schools and provided alternative ways of engaging them in its work.  Councillor Peter Curtis commented on the cost of school transport which was a main concern for all schools when planning school trips. 

Councillor Carolyn Thomas referred to the possibility of CTC engaging with young people through the Welsh Baccalaureate scheme.  She also commented on the need to improve links with Tourism and cited Mold Tourist Information Centre as an example of engaging visitors as well as residents.  Councillor Thomas expressed concerns that the cost of tickets for performances at CTC could be prohibitive for families and people on low incomes and asked if this could be taken into consideration and that any special offers or discounts be broadly marketed.      

In response to the comments by Councillor Peter Curtis about  attracting a wider audience to the Theatr through popular and well known productions, the Artistic Director explained that due to capacity the Theatr was not always in a position to offer the best commercial deal to producers to enable it to attract the biggest productions.  The Chief Executive offered to circulate a paper on profit margins for information.

During discussion Officers responded to the further comments and concerns raised by Members.  The Chief Executive referred to the age of the building and the need for capital investment in the future and commented that the Theatr was in a strong position to attract lottery and Welsh Government one-off funding.      

RESOLVED:

That the progress of Clwyd Theatre Cymru against delivery of its business plan and identified savings, the emerging artistic vision and increased commerciality and community links be supported.