Agenda item

The Committee received the report card for the Pontardawe Arts Centre as detailed within the circulated report.

Pontardawe Arts Centre aims to improve the cultural offer in the County Borough by the delivery of a balanced artistic programme within the resources available working in partnership with the Arts Council of Wales and Film Agency Wales.  Theatres and the Arts are a non- statutory service and whilst the core revenue budget has been reduced for two consecutive years, grant funding is received to fund the service. There are 7.8 full time equivalent staff.

Members were pleased to note despite the budget cuts of 2014/15 and achieving the necessary savings to come in on budget the venue still maintained its target performance and delivered on all its priorities for the period with user figures, ticket and ticket sales increasing.

Members noted how the loss of the Marketing Officer had had a profound effect on the performance of the team and that maintenance instead of growth is being concentrated on going forward with an increased use of volunteer staff

Members were pleased to note that there was no sickness within the team in 2015/16 and that no employees had left due to unplanned departures.

Members discussed the Centre’s use of Social Media and commented that while the Centre’s presence on Twitter was highly visible their Facebook presence is less prolific and more difficult to find. Officers committed to feeding this back the Centre staff.

Members asked if information in relation to all three Art Centres be brought together in a future report so that a solid comparison of data and performance could be made.

Members raised an issue in relation to Welsh translation whereby an error had recently occurred in the translation of a word giving it a different meaning than what was intended. Officers were aware of the issue being referred to and were looking into it further.

Following scrutiny, it was agreed that the report be noted.