An apology for absence was received from Andrew Smith (Norfolk Museum Service).

There were no declarations of interest received.

The minutes of the meeting held on 19 September 2017 were confirmed.

It was reported that the question previously raised by Liam Murphy would be clarified and the officer would respond to this at the next meeting.

It was reported that an inaugural meeting of the Borough Council's Cultural Board had been held in November.  It was the first time that this group of people had met to talk about the Borough Council's Culture. They spoke about the following areas:- Building Infrastructure, Civic Pride and Making Great Yarmouth a great place in which to live and invest.  Three working group had been created :-

• Funders, Organisations
• People working with young people in the community
• Creative Community including Artists.

Great Yarmouth is one of 16 places in England to have been awarded funding from the Great Places Scheme which is funded from Heritage Lottery Fund, Arts Council and Historic England. 

Great Yarmouth is co-coordinating a cultural directory through Seachange Arts. Flipside is doing a project on windpower, murals will be painted on the walls on the underpass at Fullers Hill and four of the Rows will be improved.

The Council's Senior Strategic Planner reported that the Town Centre Master Plan has six strands which include:-

• Great Yarmouth Market Place (look at how to enhance the visual of this area)
• The Conge (Regenerate retail, more housing and better connection between the train station and Town Centre.
• Hall Quay (try to encourage a food and drink market for this area)
• The Rows (re- instate cast iron plaques and install better lighting)
• Leisure Based Anchor for the Town Centre.

The Group discussed the fact that the Edge were trying to have a cinema and that there was only enough business for one main cinema operator in the town.

Liam asked what Great Yarmouth Borough Council has done to market Great Yarmouth to potential investors.

Kim explained that there had been much discussion with potential developers and many showed interest.

It was reported that only 50 people had attended the conference on the 3 November 2017 and that there had been a loss of £500. As a result of the conference one of the recommendations was that a regular meeting between the local theatre owners would be set up. The Chairman asked for other ideas for topics to be passed to him.

The Chairman asked if it was felt that another conference should be arranged next year as three had now been held and it was suggested that this could be tied in with Kaavous Conference on Friday 20th April 2017 which Charles Landry would be attending as a prominent speaker.

Debbie spoke to the group as the new Artistic Director of St Georges Theatre stating that she had come from the Sheringham Little Theatre which used to receive 60% funding and this had then been turned around to now only receiving 7% and was nearly self funding.  

A new programme had been created for 2018.  More touring theatre companies were now visiting. There would be more children's plays. There would be a Hitchcock film and workshop.  National Theatre Live and Gilbert & Sullivan.  Monthly Jazz sessions would be held in the Cafe at Lunchtimes.  A Community Choir would be held on Thursdays, a Youth Amateur Group along with St Georges Players starting. Jesus Christ Superstar would be staged at Easter.  Work would be carried on with FABBA and Joe Pasquale had agreed to be the Theatre's new patron and it was hoped that they would hold a Comedy Festival.

It was felt that there was good support for the theatre and that shows recently that weren't that well advertised were well supported.

Concern was expressed at the poor quality of sound and it was reported that fundraising was well under way for new microphones.

The Chairman reported that he had held two meetings so far and that better lighting around the town had been raised. Applications for Membership were tabled and the Partnership were informed that the membership fee was £10 a year.

(i) Stick Man (Julia Donaldson) Event for 2-4 year olds  on Thursday 14th December 2017 at Great Yarmouth Library.

(ii) Neighbourhood Lunches at Great Yarmouth Library 24 January 2017 at 11.00am.

(iii) A Room at Great Yarmouth Train Station is to be used for ? and local children will be involved.

(iv)  Great Yarmouth Minster Christmas Tree Festival is currently taking place and 10 Primary Schools have been involved.

(v) A Harry Potter Evening for Children which is free to attend will be held on Thursday 1st February 2018 at 4pm - 6.30pm at Great Yarmouth Library. 

(vi) Health Walks to walk a mile would be held.

(vii)  167a King Street, Saturday 16 December 4pm - 9pm Original projects "Fatberg" 4-6pm and Original Projects "Under Our Feet" 6pm - 9pm FREE.

(viii) Making Waves Together.

(ix) #placetobe2018 - throughout January, a month long interactive place - based activities communicated via the project and partner's social media channels - Facebook, Twitter and Instagram etc.

(x) Friday 20th April 2017 a workplace summit would be taking place at St George's Theatre with creative visual arts network involved, with Charles Landry as a speaker.  

There was no other business.

It was agreed that the next meeting would take place on Tuesday 17 April 2018 at 2pm.