Cyfarfod / Meeting 10

Sylwer: Drafft yn unig yw'r cofnodion yma ac yn amodol ar gytundeb yn y cyfarfod nesaf.
Please note: These minutes are draft only and subject to agreement at the next meeting.

Civic Centre / Canolfan Ddinesig

06.08.12

5pm

Present / Presennol: Gus Payne – Arts Development; MTCBC (GP), Helen Kell – Physical Regeneration Officer; MTCBC (HK) Greg Vaughn – Capita Symonds; Architects (GV) Chris Coppock – Old Town Hall Manager (CC) Alison Richards (AR) Cllr Graham Davies – Heritage Champion: MTCBC (GD) Ceinwen Statter (CS) Russell Shurmer – Townscape Heritage Initiative; MTCBC (RS) Viv Pugh – Dic Penderyn Society (VP) Edwyn Parry (EP) Lisa Powell (LP) Apologies / Ymddiheuriadau: Rhian Prosser – Town Centre Manager; MTCBC (RP) Sion ap Glyn – Heritage Officer; Menter Iaith Jamie Bevan Huw Williams
1.	Minutes from last meeting / Cofnodion diweddaraf: No amendments to be made.
2.	Current progress / Symudiad heddiw GV: began to update the group on the current Penderyn Square proposal plan.  AR at this point left the meeting due to potential conflict of interest as she intends to apply for the art-work contract. (Earlier drafts have already been present at public events and publications, however further discussions could compromise AR’s position). GV: The plans showed a grassed area to the north where a future building will be placed. GV explained that this is acceptable as initial development for up to 5 years, by which time a building needs to replace the grassed area. The plan shows a small rectangle opposite the Old Town Hall, but this is only a guide to where a sculptural object could be placed. The proposed artist intervention could include wider input than a stand alone object, with the flexibility to influence street furniture and paving etc, It was important for the art work to be included in the draft tender for the construction of Penderyn Square, particularly if it would impact on street furniture etc. The plan also illustrated traffic lanes etc. There was some discussion about this but any wider concerns cannot be addressed through this group. HK: The Penderyn Square project is going to tender in November and a draft idea of the artwork needs to be included with it: 12th – 15th September: Community Engagement event; potential for artist to engage with community in development of draft design Mid October: Draft Designs to be finalised November: Draft Designs submitted with Penderyn Square Tender There was some discussion about the artwork design: CS expressed some preference for mosaic work or/and the use of technology. GD expressed some preference for a sculptural object. He drew attention to the impact of figurative Soviet sculpture. CC expressed his concern and warned of the danger of creating art by committee and supported the idea of the brief to allow a selection process where the artist is responsible for the artwork design. GP clarified that the purpose of the brief was to identify what the artist should be responding to (the 1831 Merthyr Rising and its historical context) and the location. The artwork design/response would then be the role of the artists to submit, with a selection process to decide which work is most suitable. CC expressed concern that there could be potential issues if the Local Authority was not fully behind this project.  CS and GD concurred that this could also be an issue.  GP explained that members of the Heritage Forum had been invited and were aware of the project, and that local councillors had previously been involved with this project.  As this was the first meeting following the local elections, GP had invited two portfolio members and one had attended (GD). HK confirmed that Rhian Prosser normally attended the meeting, who feeds the information back to the Town Centre Partnership.  She also confirmed that Gavin Lewis was aware of the project and information on the project was included in the reporting system to the Regeneration Steering Group. A discussion was had on who should be asked to attend the meeting in future; it was agreed for GP to approach Cllr David Jones and ensure that he is supportive of the project and invited to future meetings. The brief was agreed as being ready with only the addition of “technology” added to the list of materials. There was a lengthy discussion on the use of QR codes and websites. Communities 2.0 may offer funding for this; however this project could be done at a later date to the art work and could be considered a separate project. GP clarified that the brief would be distributed in line with EU guidelines and MTCBC policy through Buy To Wales, and a number of artist databases including Axis, Ixia, Culture Colony and AN (Artists Newsletter), which is popular in Art Colleges (including Glamorgan and Atrium). CC pointed out that AN is still the most popular art magazine for students and recent graduates. The selection process will also abide by EU standards and follow MTCBC policy, with Elected Member input and an exhibition/community consultation element. Actions: GP: Brief to be updated to include the word “technology” with the list of potential materials. GP (in consultation with HK and Gavin Lewis): Brief then to be distributed HK and GP to draw up the artists’ selection process.
3.	Additional funding / Arian pellach GP: Arts Council of Wales funding does appear to be appropriate. However the timeline may be an issue, with ACW Capital Funding only being re-launched this month (August 2012) and their deadlines being too far into the future. An option may be to use what money is available for Penderyn Square artwork in the first instance, then to apply to ACW for the later developments on the new College Plaza and Lower High Street, which should align to the town centre development’s timescale much more comfortably. Action: GP and HK to consider the options more closely and contact ACW to clarify what may be acceptable for them.
4.	Date of next meeting/Dyddiad y cyfarfod nesaf:  A date was agreed at the meeting; however this date has now been postponed. Please see below.
	Follow up meeting: On 14th August a follow up meeting was held to discuss Elected Member support for this project. Present were: Cllr. David Jones (Cabinet Member and Portfolio for Technical and Environmental Services), Alyn Owen (Head of Regeneration), Gavin Lewis (Physical Regeneration Manager), Helen Kell (Physical Regeneration Officer) and Gus Payne (Arts Development Officer). During the meeting it was agreed that Cllr David Jones would include the Public Art element (including a slightly amended brief, to include local school input) at a broader Cabinet meeting, to allow the process to continue within the available time-scale, with full cabinet support. The next Merthyr Rising 1831 Memorial meeting will now be postponed until after the Cabinet Report has been made.