Issue - meetings

The Committee received a report and also a presentation from the Managing Director, Operations Director, the Head of Sales and Marketing and Press and Marketing Manager providing an overview of Cambridge Live’s performance and achievements since taking over the responsibility for the management of the majority of the City Council’s cultural services from April 2015. This was the starting point for an engagement process to inform the future plans for the City Events programme run on behalf of the City Council, with the Committee asked to support and promote the wide ranging engagement process, including engagement with community groups and residents which would feed into the discussions for the programme arrangements 2010 to 2025.

Members of the public asked a number of questions, as set out below.

1.       Mr Carpen asked if:

·       Cambridge Live could use the old Cambridge Assessment site as a venue as the city population was expanding so more people could be attracted to events. He asked if Cambridge Assessment, Cambridge Live and the City Council could liaise on this.

·       Donations could be invited from members of the public to improve Guildhall and Corn Exchange facilities (as per the Central Library) donation box).

Sara Garnham said that the Guildhall and Corn Exchange buildings were the responsibility of the City Council, so they were responsible for long term maintenance planning. This could be considered as part of a long term project after Cambridge Live’s 5 year initial set up period.

2.       A member of the public raised concerns about acoustics in the Corn Exchange.

Steve Bagnall said there had been historic issues, but these had been addressed. The building was due a refurbishment in the near future.

3.       Councillor Gillespie queried Cambridge Live’s recycling policy.

Steve Bagnall said Cambridge Live/Folk Festival had won the Greener Festival Award in the last few weeks. ‘Environmental credentials’ ie good practice was built into standard actions, rather than explicitly set out in Cambridge Live strategies, so that environmental actions could be taken across different sites.

4.       Councillor Cearns asked for participation, health and well-being to be explicitly set out in Cambridge Live priorities.

Steve Bagnall said health and well-being should be a continuing theme in future.

5.       Councillor Bick asked Cambridge Live to liaise with open space Friends Groups when organizing future events to mitigate impact eg car parking.

Steve Bagnall said car parking was considered as part of event planning in consultation with the City Council. Future needs were being reviewed.