Issue - meetings

To consider the outcome of the policy implementation phase of the Graffiti and Street Art Management Policy 2022 to establish Street Art in South Holland to provide safe and welcoming public spaces for our local communities (report of the Deputy Chief Executive – Communities enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Deputy Chief Executive - Communities which asked the Panel to consider the outcome of the implementation phase of the Graffiti and Street Art Management Policy 2022 to establish Street Art in South Holland to provide safe and welcoming public spaces for our local communities

The Assistant Director – Leisure and Culture presented the report to the Panel which included the following areas:

• Background to the report and formation of the policy;
• Corporate Plan priorities supported by the policy;
• An outline of the content and structure of the Graffiti and Street Art Management Policy 2022.
• Piloting phase of the policy;
• Policy implementation and next steps;
• Appendix A detailed the full policy; and
• Street Art ‘Bloc’ Concept Designs and Project Artwork images were presented at Appendix B.

Members considered the update and made the following comments:

• Members thanked the Assistant Director – Leisure and Culture for the update.

• Members stated that concerns had been expressed in terms of the restriction of artwork which would be permitted under the policy and queried the level of demand following implementation.
  • The Assistant Director – Leisure and Culture responded:
    • That the policy had achieved its aims and had worked well;
    • Positive project outcomes had arisen when the agreed concept and final artwork themes were aligned;
    • The perception of street art was subjective however ongoing work had evidenced that there was a place for the artform; and
    • Future street art opportunities would be explored as part of the National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) project which focussed on ‘heritage’ and ‘place’ and would enable creative expression.

• Members asked whether communities across the district had engaged with street art opportunities; and queried the time period that current artwork would remain in place.
  • The Assistant Director – Leisure and Culture responded that:
    • The current street art would remain in place however a space for changing public street art could be considered; and
    • Whilst the current demand for street art was unknown, the partnership organisation, Transported Art, would be engaging with schools across the district to assess demand.

• Members stated that the policy had been thoroughly and successfully tested during the skatepark art project where three concepts had been accepted by SHDC. The Strategic and Operational Property Manager and the Assistant Director – Leisure and Culture were praised for their involvement and assistance with the project.

• Members asked whether any additional art or vandalism had occurred at the skatepark street art site.
  • A member responded that graffiti had been minimal, and that young people had been respectful of the site and of the street artists who were held in high regard. Social media feedback regarding the site had been positive;
  • The Assistant Director – Leisure and Culture responded that:
    • Whilst graffiti was a risk, engagement and education through schools was taking place;
    • Public art around the district, such as mosaics, had been valued and respected; and
    • The policy supported remedial action should issues arise.

• Members referred to 5.3 of the report and asked whether  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38