Agenda and draft minutes

Cllr Hivan Dalkaya (Chair) welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Nia Stevens and Cllr Patricia Gregory, who were substituted by Cllr Doug Taylor and Cllr Chris Joannides respectively. Apologies for lateness were received from Cllr Doug Taylor.

Members of the Panel are invited to identify any disclosable pecuniary, other pecuniary or non-pecuniary interests relevant to the items on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest received regarding any item on the agenda.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 8 October 2024.

AGREED the minutes of the Culture and Environment Scrutiny Panel held on 8 October 2024.

To update the panel on the performance of the Dugdale Arfts Centre after the refurbishment and reopening to the public in Dec 2022.

Wesley Pemberton, Head of Culture, provided an update on operation of the Dugdale Arts Centre (DAC), including its development as the borough’s cultural hub and recent rebranding. The successes in 2023/24 were highlighted, and the support and opportunities available to local residents, artists and to young people wishing to enter into the creative sector. Future projects for income opportunities, cultural education, and audience development were set out.

Comments and questions were invited from the Panel.

In response to Members’ queries on development programmes, it was confirmed the DAC offered opportunities for young people in the borough who had aspirations to move into creative industries, including the Business of Music Programme and Young Producers Programme. The theatre space also allowed bookings for end of term, Christmas and other shows and a number of schools found it very accessible. The creative sector also used the DAC to deliver outputs to schools.

Members noted the numerous community groups using the space, and asked about revenue from those. It was advised that the majority of groups used the café space, and there was some income generation but not at full hire rate.

Members asked about faulty temperature control issues, and that it would be helpful for the Panel to receive information on a longer term fix / mitigation. It was concerning that the issue may lead to people choosing not to return to the venue, and loss of revenue. Officers would seek a response from Property Services colleagues for the Panel.

Action:  Alice Davey / Wesley Pemberton

In response to a query regarding the Culture Strategy, it was confirmed that all the individual projects which had been achieved at DAC were following the strategy.

An update was given in respect of the recruitment process to fill vacant roles, and that interviews would be taking place next week for a Marketing & Audience Growth Manager. It was clarified that the post holder would lead on the ongoing campaign to drive up audiences, to bring in more hires, and to progress the food offer. Much would be in partnership with other organisations and involve joint marketing.

Members asked about progress with the catering offer and its financial performance. Plans were outlined in respect to bringing in street food vendors, drawing in new customers, pop-ups, one-night trials and potentially holding a food festival. The Cabinet Member added that focus would be on local traders and giving them opportunities. The Council would retain income generated from the bar. DAC needed to focus on both a good cultural offer and on income generation and a sustainable business model.

It was noted that comparisons on visitor numbers and income with years before the refurbishment were difficult, as the offer was different, and the impact of the pandemic, higher living costs, and decline in grant funding in the cultural sector had led to challenging conditions. In respect of comparison with other similar venues, it was confirmed that ticket sales were down across the board but the DAC team worked hard and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

The purpose of this report is to provide an update to the Culture and Environment Scrutiny Panel on current library usage, future digital plans and the phase two consultation on the draft library strategy.

Lucy Nasby, Performance and Policy Manager, provided a summary of the report which included an update on current usage across the borough’s public libraries, an overview of the digital library service and expansion plans, and promotion of engagement in the phase two consultation on the draft library strategy ahead of a full report in 2025.

Comments and questions were invited from the Panel.

In response to Members’ queries on the proposals in the draft strategy regarding retention and reduction of named libraries, it was advised that the proposals were informed by a number of different factors, including local need and usage, distance and travel time to alternative provision, and sustainability of the service. There was published reasoning for the proposal for each individual library. A vision and strategic priorities for Enfield libraries had been published. Officers advised that not to their knowledge had any politician sought to influence the recommendations or asked for a particular library to be retained or removed.

Members were assured by the Director that a full and open consultation was being carried out; there was a need to react to residents, and that all the feedback received, including alternative suggestions and ideas, would be reviewed before putting forward options to Members. All the responses from the consultation would be reviewed and presented in the final report.

It was confirmed that face to face interviews were commissioned with 500 residents to support the consultation and to provide a holistic view from those who used and did not use the library service, and were representative of sex, age and ward. At Members’ request, the cost would be provided to the Panel, noting that this change to the model of library provision was a serious issue.

Action:  Lucy Nasby

In response to further queries, more detail was provided on library drop-in sessions held as part of the consultation. Over 200 people participated and asked questions about the proposals and the strategy, and they were encouraged to record their responses fully in the questionnaire.

Further details were also provided in relation to engagement with early years providers, schools and colleges during the consultation and that their feedback would also be part of the final report. Officers had attended the Headteachers Forum and encouraged education professionals and parents to respond to the consultation. It had also been important to reach out to all partner organisations and community groups across the borough.

Members noted the data on take up of ICT hours, which remained significantly lower than in 2017/18 pre-pandemic. Officers confirmed that the records related to libraries’ ICT equipment use and it was understood there were more users utilising the free wifi with their own device. The service did wish to support those who did not have access to their own digital device at home.

In response to further queries, it was advised that most libraries offered a free PC booking service, and staff would help users engage and set up a profile. There was also increasing demand for the digital  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To note the dates of future meetings as follows:

Tuesday 14 January 2025

Monday 3 March 2025

NOTED that the next meeting of the Culture and Environment Scrutiny Panel is Tuesday 14 January 2025.