Decision details

Before the Committee was a report by the Director for the Economy, presented by the Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, copies of which had been circulated to all Members and a copy of which is attached to the signed copy of these minutes as Item 11.

The report presented the Worthing Theatres and Museum Trust Annual Review for 2021/22.

A Member questioned whether the timing of the report could be looked at with a view to it being reported earlier in the year so that it could be considered alongside the budget strategy.  Officers confirmed that Worthing Theatres and Museum (WTM) had agreed to bring forward the Annual Report. It was acknowledged that WTM had had a couple of exceptional years but that the Annual Report was too late in the year.

Another Member highlighted that WTM was a unique portfolio of venues, including the Pavillion Theatre and Atrium, the Connaught Theatre and Studio, the Assembly Hall and the Museum. It was good to see that KPIs had been set for the first time to help measure the key priorities. Footfall was mentioned for the museum but how much was known about the use of the other buildings. Officers acknowledged that there was a more accurate measurement for the Museum and that in future more granular data for the other venues would be provided.          

The recommendations in the report were proposed by Councillor Whorlow, seconded by Councillor Garner and unanimously supported. 

Decision

The Worthing Joint Strategic Sub-Committee 

1.    acknowledged and welcomed the achievements of Worthing Theatres and Museum over the year;

2.    agreed to refer the report and the accompanying Annual Report to the Joint Overview & Scrutiny Committee for noting.

Call-in

The call-in deadline for the decision will be 5.00pm on the 15th December 2022.