Agenda item

This report outlines:

·         the overarching draft Arts and Festivals Strategy (Appendix 1) for the council which has been developed following the recent consultation.

·         options for the council’s delivery of an Arts and Festivals Programme for the borough within the current financial constraints. This report takes into consideration feedback from the council’s recent consultation (Appendix 2a and 2b) on the council’s Arts and Festivals offer as well as feedback and monitoring gathered over a number of years (Appendix 3) and London Boroughs events comparison (Appendix 4).

Report deferred.

The Executive heard earlier in the meeting from representatives of petitioners speaking against proposals to reduce funding for festivals in light of the council's financial situation. Councillor Jones (Lead Member, Customers and Citizens) in responding to the petitioners advised that the council had to find approximately £100M of savings in four years. She said that the council could be proud of the support it had given over the years but the budget constraints could not be avoided. Councillor Jones then referred to the Equalities Act which came into effect in April 2011 and advised that the report on the Arts and Festivals Strategy would be withdrawn from consideration so that the full implications of the Equalities legislation could be examined. It was hoped that there would be a report back in July.

The Chair, on behalf of the Executive, thanked all for their contributions.

RESOLVED:

that the report on Arts and Festivals Strategy be withdrawn from consideration to allow further consideration of the implications of the Equalities Act 2010.