Agenda item

To consider matters arising from the Policy Development and Performance Monitoring Panels in accordance with the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure or the Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules.

Minutes:

Graffiti and Street Art Management Policy 2022

 

Consideration was given to the report of the Deputy Chief Executive – Communities, which requested that the Cabinet consider the Graffiti and Street Art Management Policy 2022 to establish Street Art in South Holland to provide safe and welcoming public spaces for local communities.  The Chairman of the Task Group presented the report.

 

The following points were raised:

 

·         The Portfolio Holder – Communities and Facilities recognised the efforts of the artists who had initiated the original petition, presented their ideas at Council, and whose artwork was impressive.  He also congratulated the Policy Development Panel for drawing together a draft Policy.  He commented that the Policy would need to be monitored, and that only time would tell if it was successful.  He supported the recommendations and stated that the Policy would support artists to produce their street art whilst tackling and enforcing the problem of graffiti. 

 

·         Members asked who would determine the difference between street art and graffiti, and what the cost implications would be.

  • The Chairman of the Task Group clarified that street art was defined as anything that could be classified as art in a public domain, for example spray can artwork, statues or sculptures. 
  • Officers advised that Appendix B of the report showed concepts provided by the artists which would be used as a test for the type of street art to be provided by other artists.  In addition, staff would look out for any graffiti within the area and highlight anything that was not appropriate.  Consultation with artists, parishes etc was an important part of the process.  Costs to the Council would relate to officer time for the removal of graffiti, but this was work that was already being undertaken where required.

 

·         Members asked what the position was with regard to street art on listed buildings or in a conservation area.

  • Officers advised that this would be covered by Planning regulations and that it was unlikely that street art in these areas would be sanctioned.  The guidance provided in the draft Policy aimed to support the way forward.

 

·         The draft Policy stated that the Council had a power under section 43 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003, as amended by the Clean Neighbourhoods and environment Act 2005, to deal with graffiti offences and to enforce removal of graffiti from private property where required. Did the Council have a sufficient budget to deal with this? It was felt that to impose clearance costs against private owners was unfair.

  • Officers responded that there was always a risk of defacement to private properties and that one of the purposes of the Policy was to limit this, and to have a formal mechanism in place for the authority to work with the appropriate organisations or landowners.  The problem of properties being defaced already existed and dealing with it fell under current budgets.  The Policy would provide a better way forward for those that wished to undertake their street art.

 

·         Members asked how the walls housing the street art would be maintained and inspected.

  • Officers responded that the artists would be responsible for their artwork. The Policy was currently being tested, with consideration being given to panels that could be painted over.  Take up by artists of the scheme would be monitored and reviewed in six months’ time.  With regard to inspection, the Council would inspect any Council-owned sites, would remove any offensive content, and could paint over any faded artwork.  It would be the responsibility of the artists to keep artwork fresh and to provide ideas for replacements within reasonable timescales.

 

·         With regard to sites for artwork, members commented that other sites could be considered, and waste ground at Swan Street was suggested as a future area to trial the Policy.

 

DECISION:

 

1)    That the Policy be approved and forwarded to Council for information;

 

2)    That the Policy be delegated to the Portfolio Holder for Communities and Facilities for any final amendments and any future changes;

 

3)    That the outcome of the Piloting phase which tested the draft policy be noted; and

 

4)    That a review by the Street Art Wall Task Group after 6 months be approved, to enable the proposed policy to be successfully implemented.

 

RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL:

 

5)    That the Graffiti and Street Art Management Policy be noted.

 

(Other options considered:

·         Do nothing – not considered.  The Graffiti and Street Art Management Policy 2022 had been developed and tested by a Policy Development Panel Task Group and was based on best practice policies in operation across the country and internationally.  Following a public petition which had culminated in a presentation to Council on 24 November 2021, members had supported the opportunity and agreed to refer the proposal to the Task Group, to develop the governance framework to support the opportunity for street art in South Holland.

Reasons for decision:

·         The recommendations within the report responded to the public petition presented to the Council on 24 November 2021 and the overwhelming support indicated by the Members of the Council in response to the public petition.)

Supporting documents: