Agenda item

To provide members with an update on the South Holland Centre Budget (report of the Assistant Director – Leisure and Culture enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director – Leisure and Culture which provided members with an update on the South Holland Centre budget as requested by the Performance Monitoring Panel at its meeting held on 16 October 2024.

The covering report was introduced by the Community Development Manager which outlined the following:

• Background to the report including that the work at the South Holland Centre was supported by a Business Development Plan;
• Summary of the financial position; and
• The detailed budget for the South Holland Centre was included at exempt Appendix 1 and was to be considered in closed session at agenda item 17 of the current meeting.

Members considered the report and made the following comments:

• Members asked for details of any intervention and involvement by members regarding the running of the South Holland Centre.
  • The Community Development Manager responded that monthly meetings were held with the Portfolio Holder.

• Members queried if the Business Development Plan had previously been provided to members and whether the document could be provided upon request.
  • The Community Development Manager confirmed that members had received the Business Plan and that it could be provided upon request.

• Members stated that the South Holland Centre should be considered an asset to the district and be used for a wider range of activities, both cultural and non-cultural. A mission statement was needed as an addendum to the Business Development Plan which outlined the council’s vision for the venue.
  • The Portfolio Holder for Assets and Strategic Planning responded that:
    • The volume of ticket sales for live shows, including pantomime, evidenced that South Holland Centre was a positive asset to the district; and
    • Work was being undertaken with the South Holland Centre Manager and the Community Development Manager to look at future options for the venue which aligned contemporary audience/visitor expectations with value for money considerations. The approach for utilisation of all spaces at the venue was being considered.
  • The Community Development Manager added that:
    • Visitor numbers had reached 30,000 since April 2024;
    • Increased ticket sales for this year’s pantomime had been achieved;
    • A range of community shows had taken place in the venue; and
    • The small but dedicated team at the South Holland Centre ensured that audiences had a positive experience.

• Some members suggested that research be made into venues beyond the boundaries of the district whilst other members highlighted demographic and geographic differences of such venues which rendered operational comparisons irrelevant.

• Some members reported extremely positive experiences of recent visits to the South Holland Centre and that the programme had improved.

• Members queried whether income could be made from pantomime programme sales.
  • The Community Development Manager responded that, as part of the current partnership pantomime agreement, Polka Dot Pantomimes had the rights to produce and sell pantomime programmes.  

• Members stated that the promotion of South Holland Centre events to outlying villages of the district needed to be improved and that an increase in general marketing activity was required. Members suggested the regular utilisation of parish magazines and parish noticeboards.
  • The Portfolio Holder for Assets and Strategic Planning responded that advertising had vastly improved in recent months and a part-time apprentice had been assigned to work on promotion for the South Holland Centre; and
  • A representative from Spalding Today suggested that the submission of programme listings to the press be re-instated as these would be listed free of charge.

AGREED:

That the content of the report be noted.