Agenda item

The Storey: Update Report

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hanson)

 

Report of Chief Officer (Resources)

Minutes:

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hanson)

 

Annie Watson, Chair of Friends of Storey Gardens, Rachel-Ann Powers and Sue Widdon who had registered to speak in accordance with the City Council’s agreed procedure and Cabinet Procedure Rule 2.7 addressed the meeting on this item and responded to questions from Cabinet Members.

 

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Officer (Resources) to provide a general update on the operation of the Storey and seek direction on the future of the remaining Storey Gardens artwork.

 

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

 

 

Option 1: Seek to restore the artwork

Option 2: Remove / no longer recognise the art work in its physical form in the garden, supporting a master planning approach.

Advantages

If the artwork was restored and resources provided to market it and maintain it an installation by an artist of international repute may attract additional tourism to the area.

 

It may be possible to secure funding to restore the art work. As an example The Henry Moore Foundation may be interested.

 

(If restored it would be possible to recast the sculptures in resin which would deter thieves, but not vandals).

 

The removal of the artwork would free up the second garden for wider development.  Suggestions are on the line of a secret garden where people can meet, eat lunch, show temporary artworks, nature areas, etc. 

 

This is a sustainable option with no additional cost to the council.  It is not envisioned there would be any additional cost charged direct to the Council for removing the artwork. The healthy trees will remain.

 

Consistent with the overall vision for the Storey.

 

Whilst initial consultation has shown an interest in artwork within the garden, this could be addressed with temporary / seasonal pieces to work.  (which is preferred by some on the consultation responses)

Disadvantages

Requires one -off funding to refurbish the artwork, which would need to be considered during the budget. The cost is estimated at between £30,000 – £50,000.  Could impact therefore on other arts support.

 

All restoration and alterations would need to be in agreement with the artist for it to remain as his work. 

 

A reduced artwork would not be acceptable.

 

It is estimated an additional £250 per annum would be required to maintain the restored artwork, excluding any required tree work.  (The Friends group have already indicated that they would not be interested in maintaining the artwork on the Council’s behalf as they have little interest in it remaining).

 

It takes up most of the garden area, only leaving the border to be developed.  There is limited development opportunity in the other garden.

 

The existence of artwork is not widely known or promoted.

Final end of an already defunct / dilapidated piece of artwork.

 

 

Risks

 

Funding is not secured.

 

Restoration conflicts with the majority of the Friends group who then may lose ownership become disinterested and disband – this will have an impact on the quality of detailed work that could be undertaken in the borders and other areas.

 

Could impact on the Council’s reputation in artistic circles, potentially (but bearing in mind the current condition of the installation and other arts support that the Council gives, this risk is considered to be very small).

 

 

The preferred option is Option 2.  The artwork has been severely vandalised and would require major reconstruction and investment to return it to its original condition, with ongoing maintenance and marketing to bring the work up to standard so that it could be classed as a tourism asset for the district.  The Council has no funds with which to restore the artwork and it is not even clear where external funding could be bid from.  The proposed master plan will be reported back to Cabinet for consideration in due course.

 

Good progress is being achieved in operating the Storey; this will need to continue and strengthen if it is to break even by 2017/18.  In terms of the Gardens, there is much support for improving them, without the artwork, in a way that would complement the main building and in terms of the far gardens, such improvements are unlikely to have much financial impact.  This way forward, as part of the master planning approach, is considered to present a better opportunity to improve the gardens and their use in due course, still fitting with the Storey’s business plan.

 

The meeting adjourned at 11.21am and reconvened at 11.26am.

 

With regard to recommendation (2) Councillor Barry proposed:-

 

“That City Council officers open a dialogue with Mark Dion to discuss:

a)    the feasibility of moving the artwork to Williamson Park or another suitable venue.

b)    To establish the extent to which a restored artwork in the tasting garden can co-exist with other aspects such as disabled access, other artworks, seating, growing areas and the use for events in the Storey.

c)    Cabinet to visit the Tasting Garden and to reconsider the proposal once details of a) and b) together with details of the consultation are available to Cabinet.”

 

There being no seconder for part (b), of the proposal, that part of the proposition was deemed to have fallen. 

 

Councillor Barry then proposed, seconded by Councillor Hanson:

 

(1)     “That the report be noted.

(2)     That City Council officers open a dialogue with Mark Dion to discuss:

a)    the feasibility of moving the artwork to Williamson Park or another suitable venue.

b)    That in view of references to funding opportunities within submissions received in support of restoring the Tasting Gardens, officers make approaches to explore the possibilities of alternative funding.

c)    That Cabinet visit the Tasting Garden and reconsider the proposal once further details are available.

(3)     That the draft master planning approach for the Storey’s gardens be supported, and presented to Cabinet for consideration in due course.”

 

Councillors then voted:-

 

Resolved unanimously:

 

(1)           That the report be noted.

 

(2)           That City Council officers open a dialogue with Mark Dion to discuss:

a)    the feasibility of moving the artwork to Williamson Park or another suitable venue.

b)    That in view of references to funding opportunities within submissions received in support of restoring the Tasting Gardens, officers make approaches to explore the possibilities of alternative funding.

c)    That Cabinet visit the Tasting Garden and reconsider the proposal once further details are available.

 

(3)          That the draft master planning approach for the Storey’s gardens be supported, and presented to Cabinet for consideration in due course.

 

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

 

Chief Officer (Resources)

Chief Officer (Environment)

 

Reasons for making the decision:

 

Cabinet commends the good progress which has been achieved in operating the Storey.  The Storey contributes to the Council’s priority of sustainable economic growth.  The gardens may also contribute to the priority of ‘Clean, Green and Safe Places’; one success measure being to increase the number of projects that directly involve local communities in improving local areas, parks and open spaces.  Cabinet recognises the interest that the Tasting Gardens has generated and the decision enables further consideration to be given to this issue when the views of the artist and clarification on funding opportunities has been ascertained.

 

 

Supporting documents: