Issue - meetings

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Maia Whitelegg)

Report of the Head of Cultural Services. 

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Maia Whitelegg)

(It was noted that Councillors June Ashworth and Eileen Blamire had previously declared prejudicial interests in the following item due to them being City Council representatives on the Dukes Playhouse Board of Directors and left the meeting prior to consideration thereof)

The Head of Cultural Services submitted a report that advised Cabinet of the Dukes Theatre Revised Business Model. 

The options, options analysis, including risk assessment, were set out in the report as follows: 

To reduce or withdraw the City Council’s funding support to the Dukes Theatre.

A reduction or withdrawal of the City Council’s funding support to the Dukes Theatre would not only jeopardise its revised business model but also threaten its existence. It would likely produce a domino effect in respect of support funding that the other partners (Arts Council England and Lancashire County Council) make, not only to the Dukes, but to the whole arts offer and other arts revenue clients within the Lancaster District.

To continue supporting the Dukes Theatre’s transition to a Revised Business Model.

The Dukes is regarded as a theatre of local and regional significance and is supported by the Arts Council England (ACE), Lancashire County Council and Lancaster City Council. The Dukes Theatre is an integral part of the District’s Cultural offer to residents and visitors, through its youth and school work – Dukes Youth Theatre (known as DT3), and its Promenade Productions at Williamson’s Park, etc.

The preferred officer option was to continue supporting the Dukes Theatre’s transition to a Revised Business Model. 

It was moved by Councillor Jon Barry and seconded by Councillor Abbott Bryning: -

“That the recommendations, as set out in the report, be approved.” 

Resolved Unanimously:

(1)     That Cabinet note the progress with respect to the Dukes Theatre Revised Business Model. 

(2)     That the City Council, via the Officer Development Team, continue to support the Dukes Theatre’s transition to a Revised Business Model. 

Note:  Councillors June Ashworth and Eileen Blamire were not present when the vote was taken. 

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

Corporate Director (Regeneration).

Head of Cultural Services. 

Reason for making the decision:

The Dukes Board, via its Change Project Team, has made significant progress in difficult circumstances to achieve the outcomes of its revised business model. To see that process through to a successful conclusion the Dukes requires the continued support of its key strategic partners (ACE, Lancashire County Council and Lancaster City Council).