Agenda item

(To receive a report from Nicole Hilton, Chief Engagement Officer, which invites the committee to consider a report regarding the future of the Heritage Service. The report will be considered by the Executive on the 5 February 2019. The views of the Scrutiny Committee will be reported to the Executive as part of the consideration of this item)

Consideration was given to a report from the Chief Community Engagement Officer, which invited the committee to consider a report regarding the future of the Heritage Service. The report would be presented to the the Executive on the 5 February 2019.

The report sought the Executive's approval to conduct public consultation on the proposed changes to the Council's Heritage Services based on a move to a Cultural Enterprise Model.

Comments from the committee would be put forward to the Executive as part of its consideration of the report.

It was highlighted that changes in the heritage service would involve moving from a microsite to supersite approach, with the proposed supersites being Lincoln Castle and the collection Museum and Art Gallery. 

The Chief Community Engagement Officer also set out the proposed changes to the mix of sites that the Council would deliver as part of its heritage offer.

The committee supported the recommendations to conduct public consultation on proposed changes to the Council's Heritage service based on a move to a Cultural Enterprise Model and agreed to pass on the following comments to the Executive:

·         The Committee supported the proposals to conduct a consultation and seek ideas from the public on how the Heritage Service could develop in the future. The Committee highlighted that they were keen to ensure the public had the opportunity to comment and input into the proposals to help shape potential future developments.

·         The Committee queried the level of consultation which had taken place with the City of Lincoln Council over the proposed change of use for the Usher Art Gallery. Officers confirmed that they had kept local District Councils fully informed on the proposals, but highlighted that no agreements had been made due to the desire to undertake a public consultation prior to final proposals being approved.

·         The Committee acknowledge that whilst the provision of heritage services was not a statutory duty, these proposals identified a model which would enable continued public access to heritage, art and culture in a self-sustaining and affordable way. Officers confirmed that a change of model was required to enable a more aggressive commercial approach to continue to provide quality museums, galleries and attractions.

·         The Committee commented that the proposed changes were bold and ambitious and welcomed the commitment to develop a service which enables the broadest range of audiences to engage with a wide range of heritage experiences.

·         The Committee highlighted the need to work across the public and private sector to consider public transport as a key part of these proposals. The Committee identified accessibility to public transport as a key weakness for Lincolnshire when competing with other major tourist destinations across the UK. Officers confirmed additional work was required to review destination management options and the how the heritage offer could further promote Lincolnshire as a destination.

Councillor K J Clarke wished it to be noted that he voted against the recommendation to approve the public consultation on the grounds that the consultation questions had not yet been finalised and there was no clarity on what the consultation would look like.  

RESOLVED:

1.    That the committee supported the recommendations to the Executive

2.    That the agreed comments, as set out above, be passed to the Executive in relation to this item.