Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

The minutes of the meetings held on 23^rd January and 6^th February, 2019 were signed as true records. There were no matters arising.

Briefing note with report of Martin Sutherland, Chief Executive and Chenine Bhathena, Creative Director, Coventry City of Culture Trust

Chenine Bhathena has been invited to the meeting for the consideration of this item along with Councillor Duggins, Cabinet Member for Policy and Leadership and Martin Reeves, Chief Executive, who are the Council’s two representatives on the City of Culture Trust

The Committee considered a briefing note with a report of Martin Sutherland, Chief Executive of Coventry City of Culture Trust and Chenine Bhathena, Creative Director which provided an update on activity associated with City of Culture 2021. Chenine Bhathena attended the meeting for the consideration of this item along with Martin Reeves, one of the Council’s two representatives on the Trust.

The report indicated that since the announcement that Coventry was to be City of Culture 2021, the independent charitable Trust had been working with multiple partners and stakeholders to recruit team members who would be responsible for delivering the exceptional programme and legacy for 2021 and beyond. During the bidding process a timeline, outlining key milestones for each year had been developed and a copy was included with the report.

The report referred to the start of the build-up programme. The Trust were committed to developing the programme with artists, organisations (cultural, community, educational and business) and residents of Coventry and in December, 2018 launched the first campaign ‘humansofcov’. This was to be a yearlong programme shining a spotlight on the everyday heroes in Coventry, individuals who championed the importance of human rights and who articulated the City’s commitment to peace and reconciliation. In addition, every school was being invited to participate in a ‘Flag for Human Rights’ project led by Chinese artist Al Weiwei.     

Reference was made to the support being given to Refugee Week which included presenting ‘Party in the City’ in Broadgate during the summer. The Trust was also working with the City Council to support the displaying of the Knife Angel, a touring art installation created as a response to the national rise in knife crime. The Trust were supporting a national Arts and Mental Health conference led by the Belgrade and the City Council; the Change Festival at Warwick Arts Centre which was focusing on Climate Change and green futures; and the Coventry Social Arts Biennale to commission a project with homeless people. A music health check of the city was being undertaken to provide recommendations to support Coventry as a Music City. Reference was made to the initial partnership working with the University of Warwick and Coventry University. 

The Committee were informed about the recruitment to key senior posts including those of the Chief Executive, the Creative Director, the Production Director, and the Head of Trusts and Foundations. It was currently a busy period for recruitment with a number of candidates currently being sought. The Trust were now looking to recruit four Associate Producers who were to be placed within the teams at Grapevine, Positive Youth Foundation, the Coventry Refugee and Migrant Centre and the Law Centre. In June the Trust would be recruiting the Head of Volunteering who was to work with partners to develop the volunteering plan.

Information was provided on the public meetings where the two community connectors had been engaging with local residents hearing about what they want from 2021 as well as informing them about the opportunities ahead.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 54.

Report of the Scrutiny Co-ordinator

The Committee considered their work programme for the current municipal year. It was requested that FGM be included in the update report on Modernising Domestic Violence and Abuse Services and Sexual Violence and Abuse Services.

RESOLVED that:

(1) The work programme be noted.

(2) FGM to be included in the update item on Modernising Domestic Violence and Abuse Services and Sexual Violence and Abuse Services scheduled for the Committee’s meeting on 3rd April, 2019.

Any other items of public business which the Chair decides to take as a matter of urgency because of the special circumstances involved.

There were no additional items of public business.