Apologies for absence were received from Councillors K Grey and Stenhouse.

Councillor Wainwright declared a personal interest in item 5 in his capacity as a trustee of St Georges Theatre.

The minutes of the meeting held on the 9 May 2017 were confirmed subject to the removal of the following paragraph in respect of Item 3:-

"Following a vote by Members the recommendation for the amendment was lost."

The Committee considered the Tourism Events Project Manager's report which asked Members to support proposals for a 'Bikers Take Over Event' as part of the Wheels Festival to be held on Saturday 8 July 2017.

In discussing the Tourism Events Project Manager's report the following issues were raised :-

• Anti Terrorism Issues - It was advised that this matter was ongoing with Norfolk Constabulary.

• The issue of police resource - It was advised that no confirmation had been received in relation to resource from the local police at present, however it had been confirmed that a team would be available on the day of the event.

• The issue of parking in inclement weather and whether alternative parking would be made available. - It was reported that the planned parking areas had been discussed with the main organisers and that all parties involved were satisfied with the parking provisions that had been proposed.

• Clarification was sought as to how long the event would last. - It was advised that the managed event would run from 10am to 12noon, but that the bikers would be able to remain on the seafront until 22:00.

• The cost of marshalling and communication and whether this would be funded by the GY BID. - Members were advised that the costs would be met through the Borough Council's Events existing budget.

• The cost to the Borough Council for lose of parking. - The Tourism Events Project Manager reported that the lose to the Borough Council would be no more than £150.

RESOLVED :

That the Economic Development Committee support the proposal for the Wheels Festival 2017 / Bikers Take over Event.

The Committee considered the Group Manager, Neighbourhoods and Communities report which presented the new Business Plan for St George's Theatre and the specification for a revised Service Level Agreement with Seachange Arts.

Members were reminded that at it's meeting on the 3 April 2017 the Economic Development Committee noted the progress made since the completion of the Culture Strategy in September 2016 and approved the Council Arts Budget subject to a new Business Plan for St Georges Theatre and a revised Service Level Agreement with Seachange Arts.

Graham Jennings, Business of Culture consultant for St Georges provided Members with a summary of the Business case and challenges facing St Georges. He reported that as part of the Business Case a wider skill set of Trustees would be appointed to the Board and that regular Board meetings would be held.

The Chairman advised that between the Great Yarmouth 'Arts Festival' and the ''Out There' Festival the Piazza at St Georges would be staging performances on 'Arts in the Local Community' every Sunday.

In discussing the Business Case for St George's the following issues were raised :-

• Clarification was sought in respect of the methodology used for the Business Case.

• The issue of the inadequate catering facilities and when this matter would be addressed. It was advised that this matter had also been raised by the Trustees and that it had been agreed that once a Commercial Manager had been appointed this issue would be addressed.

• Concern was raised in relation to the amount of financial assumptions that had been made within the report. Graham Jennings reported that although the report contained financial assumptions and risk, the document would be maintained as a live document to ensure assumptions can be updated or shifted as and when required.

• Whether a networking process had been undertaken with other businesses. This was confirmed.

• Reference was made to the previous Business Plan for St Georges and some concern was raised in respect of the optimistic figures for St George's Trading Ltd.

In discussing the proposed Service Level Agreement with Seachange Arts the following issues were raised :-

• Whether previous indicators and outcomes were available. The Group Manager, Neighbourhoods and Communities advised that these could be provided at a future Committee Meeting.

• Concern was raised in relation to why a licence to serve alcohol had been applied for from Seachange when it was understood the Seachange Arts was a youth outreach programme. It was reported that Seachange were not exclusively a youth organisation, and that the Licence had been applied for to be used at the Drill House, Great Yarmouth for another source of income and that all opportunities were being looked in to.

• The issue of Seachange commercially operating outside of the Borough 

RESOLVED :

(1) That approval be given to the St George's Business Plan and funding allocations for 2017-2020.

(2)  That approval be given to the Heads of Terms for the Seachange Service Level Agreement and funding allocations for 2017-20251, in line with the Arts Council NPO funding period.