Working Group updates
Workstream 3: Leadership, entrepreneurship & engagement
Karen Newman as Chair provided an update:
-
Work was continuing on the Creative Social Enterprise programme proposal. WMCA had now allocated Lisa Hamilton as a project manager to support this process
-
Attempts for external funding have not been successful to date, mainly due to funders focusing on existing programmes and Covid-19 actions. The WMCA team will however continue to work to secure the required funding. It is however unfortunate that the funding situation would still take some time to solve, as the working group had worked very hard to develop a speedy response that could help to support those impacted by Covid-19. Working with Lisa to develop the different aspects of the actual delivery will hopefully help to make the case further
-
The next step for the working group is to meet to discuss aspects around evaluation and governance, to ensure key aspects are considered in procurement and contracting.
-
A separate Task Force was also planned to support the contract management. While working group members would be part of this, there would also be opportunities to expand to include e.g. other teams at WMCA to ensure alignment and visibility
Action:
- AH and SV to confirm funding as soon as possible
- WG3 to meet to finalise governance and delivery plans
Workstream 2: Funding & Resilience
In the absence of Tim Maycock, SV provided a quick update:
- Working group has not been able to meet but links have been made with the Circular Economy work within the WMCA. A survey relating to this work has also been circulated. Following the meeting with Ed Cox from WMCA, TM to still have a conversation with Jacqueline Homan from Circular Economy team to discuss how the working group could further contribute to this work
- There are plans to have an information session on alternative finance models with Arts Council England in October to guide further plans. Another potential session with Advantage Creative on their work around investment to the cultural sector. Invites will also be open to other board members.
- Some members have also contributed to the Comprehensive Spending Review conversations
- There was also discussion on the role and alignment with Cultural compacts – as alternative finance could also be within their remit. Their development was however in early stages and something that could be picked up later.
Action:
- SV to coordinate information sessions and send invites to board members
Workstream 1: CA Economic & Social ambitions
Ammo Talwar presented the item as the Chair.
The West Midlands cultural sector mapping project was progressing:
-
The audience development piece had now been procured by the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. Work was still ongoing to secure funding and finalise the proposal for the other part looking at economic impact, cultural infrastructure, employment and cultural tourism
-
JJ noted that the working group members had not been kept updated on the most recent developments and SV noted that although the Chair of the working group had been involved in the conversations, communications would be improved to ensure they felt fully engaged. SV to circulate the audience scope and the economic piece
Action:
- SV to share final audience scope
- SV to share final economic scope when available
Update on meeting with WMCA around Wellbeing workstream
PC-H provided an update on recent meeting with Sean Russel, who is the Director of Implementation for wellbeing related workstreams, particularly mental health (Thrive programme).
- The meeting was very positive and further follow up would be needed to determine how CLB could contribute to this work going forward.
- Key discussion points were around legacy aspect for major events, engagement with young people, the role of the cultural sector in engaging with businesses around mental health, social prescribing and wellbeing within apprenticeships
- There are currently limited resources at the WMCA to develop some of this work, but these different areas could still be looked at for future development
-
A key question for the wider board would be around how further work and discussions would be facilitated. This could involve the development of a new Working Group, or potentially including different aspects to the existing working groups (e.g. WG2/new income models)
-
SV also noted that some areas had existing groups with a focus on this area (e.g. Coventry, Birmingham) and there might also be possibilities to explore how CLB could align with existing activity.
-
The board agreed that a joint meeting should be set up with existing groups and networks to discuss this further. PC-H and KJ expressed an interest in taking part in these sessions on behalf of the board.
-
SS also noted that depending on the outcome of the CSR, some of this work could be relevant to this.
Action:
- SV to schedule a joint meeting with existing working groups prior to next board meeting
Event Group
SV provided a brief update:
- Group has not met since the last meeting but will look to reconvene soon
- Focus would be around potential hustings events, as well as any communications related activities stemming from other areas of work.
Action:
- SV to schedule a meeting prior to next board meeting