To inform the Committee of progress in implementing the action plans arising from the Cultural Services Inspection; Review of Hereford City Partnership; the 18-35 Review and the Review of the Museums and Heritage Centres.

The Committee considered progress in implementing the action plans arising from the Cultural Services Inspection; Review of Hereford City Partnership; the 18-35 Review and Museums and Heritage Centres.

The Head of Economic and Community Services presented the report together with associated action plans at Appendix 1-4, which set out the proposed action and progress to 1^st November 2007 for each action plan.

On scrutinising the action plans the Committee noted the following points in response to questions raised:

CPA Cultural Services Inspection

• R1b – a value for money outcome had been established and was expected to be confirmed in January 08.
• 36 –Herefordshire Partnership had decided not to include “culture” as a priority indicator in the new LAA..
• 44b – Cabinet Member Briefing on 3^rd October considered that the cost benefit analysis did not prove value for money and therefore rejected the proposal. The situation would, however, be monitored.
• 46 – Generic Directorate wide standards had been produced, however, implementation was now expected to be January 08.
• 50 – Cabinet Member Briefing on 3^rd October decided not to seek Green Flag accreditation for Queenswood on resource grounds favouring feedback via satisfaction surveys.
• 51 – the Head of Economic and Community Services would brief the local ward Members for Ledbury on current progress concerning the Masters House.

18-35 Review

Key elements would be integrated into the Economic Development Plan. 

Ref I -  the potential for live/work units were being investigated at Ross.  Work was being undertaken with schools to ensure that pupils were aware of the range of employment/business opportunities in the County. 

Ref iv - the Business Start up Grant had been frozen due to budget position and not meeting the objective. A revised programme would be established for 2008/9.

Hereford City Partnership

Ref 17.1 – the Council through the Cabinet Member (Economic Development and Community Services) would take the lead on developing a strategic vision for Herefordshire. This work would be integrated with other support work and proposals for ESG and would involve input from various stakeholders.

Ref 17.4 – the recommendation was being considered as part of the current budget process. It was commented that the current City centre retailers needed support to ensure that the retail centre didn’t fragment post ESG development. 

The Hereford City Manager reported that the main leaseholder of Maylord Orchards had been a major financial supporter of the City Partnership, however, due to the change in leaseholder revised financial support was being sought.  She also commented that the quality of the street trading in High Town could be better.

Museums and Heritage Centres

• Council sites were fully accredited.
• Ref ii – despite budget cuts regionally, the West Midlands funding packages were continuing.
• Ref iii – the Community Grant Scheme was still available to applicants.
• Ref iv – An existing Museum insurance scheme, that fulfilled may of the requirements, had been identified and therefore may negate the setting up of a local partnership insurance arrangement.
• Ref vi – work was underway to achieve a suitable methodology to measure the social and economic impacts of heritage in accordance with the CPA outcome.

In relation to all the action plans it was suggested that to save the duplication of reporting to consecutive meetings and officer time updating reports, that action plan reporting for future reviews be by exception reporting.

RESOLVED That the report be noted and in the future update reports on Action Plans following a Scrutiny Review be by exception report.