Decision details

Approval of Public Art Commissioning Strategy.

Matter for Decision

Over the last couple of years, public art reports to this committee have taken a two-pronged approach, focussed on the following:

       i.          Developing a Public Art Strategy, which includes proposing a framework and associated principles new public art commissions; and

     ii.          Bringing forward a few public art commissions prior to the development of the Public Art Strategy, in order to make effective and timely use of existing time-limited S106 contributions.

While progress continues to be made on developing the Public Art Strategy, research and advice received from external public art specialists has underlined the need to work closely with the shared Planning Service as it reviews related planning policies. Officers aim to report back on the Strategy in the first half of 2020/21.

In the meantime, this latest report provided updates, which had been scheduled for this committee meeting:

       i.          The need to commission a public art project in/ around Trumpington ward’s boundary with Petersfield and Coleridge.

     ii.          The need to take stock of the River Cam public art programme.

   iii.          Other proposals that could be developed ahead of the development of the Public Art Strategy.

Decision of Executive Councillor for Communities

Agreed to:

       i.          Allocate up to £90,000 of S106 public art contributions to develop the ‘Art of Play public art project in accordance with the outline brief in Appendix A of the Officer’s report.

     ii.          De-allocate £330,000 of public art S106 contributions currently allocated to the River Cam public art programme;

   iii.          Instruct officers to develop proposals for the following projects and report back to this Committee in 2020/21, so that the project proposals and associated s106 funding allocations can be considered:

a.    A public art project in/around Trumpington ward’s boundary with Petersfield and Coleridge, using up to £75,000 of time limited, local s106 contributions (if these cannot be related to the ‘Art of Play’ public art project);

b.    A public art project in Romsey ward using time-limited public art S106 contributions that have to be contractually committed during 2023; and

c.    A city-wide urban art project and associated urban art space at Newmarket Road roundabout subway, in accordance with the concept proposal in Appendix C of the Officer’s report.

Reason for the Decision

As set out in the Officer’s report.

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Not applicable.

Scrutiny Considerations

The Committee received a report from the Streets and Open Spaces Development Manager.

In response to the report Councillors asked if the council used outside agencies for public art instead of in-house providers. The Streets and Open Spaces Development Manager said there were a number of providers who the council used as consultants.

The Committee unanimously resolved to endorse the recommendations.

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendations.

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor (and any Dispensations Granted)

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.