Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

In December 2016, the GMCA and AGMA agreed to undertake a consultation on the formal closure of the Section 48 AGMA Grants programme and the development of a new funding programme for culture under Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA). Following this consultation, this report seeks the agreement of Cabinet to the closure of the AGMA Section 48 grants programme.  This will be replaced with a similar GMCA Culture and Social Impact Fund from April 2018.

The Cabinet is asked to:

i)     note the outcome and mitigating actions of the completed consultation on the proposed closure of the AGMA-run Section 48 grants programme;

ii)    authorise the closure of the Section 48 Grants scheme, noting that it will be replaced by the GMCA Culture and Social Impact Programme.

Officer contact: Peter Ashworth, 0161 474 2392, peter.ashworth@stockport.gov.uk

The Leader of the Council submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Cabinet to consider the outcome of a consultation on the possible closure of the AGMA Section 48 Grant scheme and the development of a new funding programme for culture and social impact under the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

The Leader of the Council emphasised that although the current scheme funded few organisations or schemes in Stockport, local residents benefited more than any other in Greater Manchester from the projects. It was hoped that the proposed new scheme would encourage interest from smaller organisations and a more diverse cultural offer, while supporting the longer term strategic priorities of the Combine Authority.

RESOLVED – That in relation to the AGMA Section 48 Grant Scheme:-

·         the outcome and mitigating actions of the completed consultation on the proposed closure of the grants programme be noted;

·         authorisation be given to the closure of the Section 48 Grants scheme, noting that it would be replaced by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority Culture and Social Impact Programme.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

In December 2016, the GMCA and AGMA agreed to undertake a consultation on the formal closure of the Section 48 AGMA Grants programme and the development of a new funding programme for culture under Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA). Following this consultation, this report seeks the agreement of Cabinet to the closure of the AGMA Section 48 grants programme.  This will be replaced with a similar GMCA Culture and Social Impact Fund from April 2018.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to:

i)     Note the outcome and mitigating actions of the completed consultation on the proposed closure of the AGMA-run Section 48 grants programme;

ii)    Note and comment on the recommendation that Greater Manchester local authority districts authorise the closure of the Section 48 Grants scheme, noting that it will be replaced by the GMCA Culture and Social Impact Programme.

Officer contact: Peter Ashworth, 0161 474 2392, peter.ashworth@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Scrutiny Committee to consider the outcome of a consultation on closing the AGMA Section 48 Grant scheme and its replacement with a new funding programme for culture to be managed by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

The Leader of the Council (Councillor Alexander Ganotis) attended the meeting to answer councillor’s questions.

Councillors welcomed the general principals, and expressed the hope that the new approach would complement Stockport’s own cultural strategic objectives and provide greater support for initiatives in the Borough.

RESOLVED – (1) That the outcome and mitigating actions of the completed consultation on the proposed closure of the AGMA-run Section 48 grants programme be noted;

(2) That the Cabinet be recommended to authorise the closure of the Section 48 Grants scheme, noting that it will be replaced by the GMCA Culture and Social Impact Programme.

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council (Policy, Finance & Devolution)

This report asks for formal consideration to be given to the closure of the current section 48 AGMA Grants Scheme, with a view to its replacement by a new scheme under the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).

The Cabinet is recommended to:

·         Give initial consideration to the case for closure of the Section 48 AGMA Grants programme and authorise a consultation on closure of the scheme to be undertaken by AGMA to inform a final decision on closure to be taken at a later date.

·         Support the development of a new funding programme for culture, under the GMCA, as a potential replacement for the Section 48 Scheme.

·         Note that it is intended to run the consultation for a new CA programme for culture at the same time as the consultation on closure of the Section 48 scheme.

Officer contact: Alan Lawson, 0161 474 5397, alan.lawson@stockport.gov.uk

The Leader of the Council submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Cabinet to consider a proposal from the AGMA Executive Board to begin a consultation on closing the current Section 48 Grants Scheme with a view to its replacement by a new scheme under the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

The Leader of the Council emphasised that no formal decision was being made on the future of the scheme at this stage but that any proposals would be subject to scrutiny and public consultation.

RESOLVED – That in relation to the AGMA Section 48 Grants Scheme:

·         the case for closure of the current Section 48 AGMA Grants programme be noted and authorisation be given for a consultation on closure of the scheme to be undertaken by AGMA to inform a final decision on closure to be taken at a later date;

·         the development of a new funding programme for culture, under the GMCA, as a potential replacement for the Section 48 Scheme be supported;

·         the intention to run the consultation for a new Combined Authority programme for culture at the same time as the consultation on closure of the Section 48 scheme be noted.