Agenda item

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The Regeneration Programmes Officer introduced the report and invited the representative from Art Reach to present the report further.

The Chair thanked the Regeneration Programmes Officer and the representative from Art Reach and invited questions and comments from the Panel, a summary of which is set out below.

Councillor Kemp highlighted the definition of heritage included in the report and questioned why key assets such as Southgates and Redmount were not included in the strategy.

The Cultural Officer confirmed Southgates was included in the strategy on page 8. He explained the definition used was from the National Lottery fund.

Councillor Kunes referred to the report which included late night buses running from town for cultural and heritage events. He commented buses from the town used to run late.

The Vice-Chair, Councillor Devulapalli sought clarification if there was any focus on the Walks or the Riverfront.

The Cultural Officer explained the strategy was developed following consultation with residents.

Councillor Colwell referred to the Riverside as a historic asset and commented the scheme was previously not ambitious enough and the Riverfront area needed to be enhanced.

The representative from Art Reach confirmed the Riverfront was included in the strategy as an action as a priority four as outlined on page 12 of the Strategy.

Under Standing Order 34 on Zoom, Councillor Heneghan supported the strategy and put herself forward to be involved in strategic and task groups. She added she was keen for the Riverside to be developed.

The representative from Art Reach clarified there was a specific action on page 29 of the strategy to develop a Riverside programme.

In response to a question from the Vice Chair the representative from Art Reach confirmed consultation had been carried out with the College of West Anglia. She advised there was not a specific course offered relating to culture and heritage, however the consultation was carried out with students on creative courses.

The Cultural Officer added further creative courses included media, marketing and performance to inspire students about culture and heritage.

Councillor Bland referred to the exhibitions which were held in historic buildings and highlighted it was always the same local schools which attended as rural schools were unable to travel.

Councillor Colwell suggested the Community Grant Scheme could be used to fund travel expenses for rural schools to attend heritage and cultural events.

The Cultural Officer confirmed this could be investigated and considered. It was agreed that the Panel would be advised of a response.

Councillor Colwell questioned if King’s Lynn Football Club had been considered in the strategy.

The Cultural Officer advised that while King’s Lynn Football Club was a cultural asset, it was being considered within the remit of the leisure strategy.

RESOLVED: The Environment and Community Panel supports the following recommendation to Cabinet:

1.    Endorse the King’s Lynn Culture & Heritage Strategy as set out in appendix 1.

2.    Establish the new governance structure and recruitment of steering group as set out in section 3.

3.    Delegate authority to the Assistant Director for Housing, Regeneration & Place in consultation with the Deputy Leader & Portfolio Holder for Business to review existing Service Level Agreements with cultural organisations to align their activities and outputs in line with the priorities identified in the Strategy.

4.    Delegate authority to the Assistant Director for Housing, Regeneration and Place in consultation with the Portfolio holder of Business to agree resourcing requirements to support and implement the strategy, subject to appropriate organisational processes.