Issue - meetings

To receive an update from the Hampshire Cultural Trust also incorporating information on theatres and entertainment venues across the county.

The Committee received a presentation from Paul Sapwell, the Chief Executive of the Hampshire Cultural Trust with an update on recent operations throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and with general updates.

In response to Members’ questions, it was noted that:

·         Gift Aid contributions were being promoted at all venues with an active campaign in museums to upsell Gift Aid. As bookings were increasingly being made online during the pandemic, it was becoming easier to contribute Gift Aid using the online ticket system.

·         The Trust’s initial funding model was based upon grant awards from founding Local Authorities and the original agreement had been to reduce these grants year on year. The Trust had been very successful in generating earned income to balance the reduction in funding although the 2020 year had presented a very different set of circumstances with a period of closure for all venues followed by restrictions on usual operations.

·         The Trust had no plans to make large redundancies at the end of the furlough period.

·         That the pandemic had been a challenging time for all venues across Hampshire particularly arts centres with significantly reduced performance programmes. Members noted that, in these circumstances, the strength of the Trust model was that these facilities could be subsidised by growth from other areas.

·         The increased visits to the Aldershot Military Museum had been a success story for the Trust following focus upon community outreach and engagement working with those from military backgrounds.

·         The Trust were confident that the proposed reduction in opening hours for Winchester Discovery Centre would not impact the quality of the exhibitions. The Trust were also working with the Council’s Library Service to provide access outside of opening hours.

RESOLVED:

That the Culture and Communities Select Committee notes the presentation.