Issue - items at meetings - Hove Civic Society Plinth

Report of the Interim Lead, Cultural Services (copy attached)

RESOLVED - (1) That the Economic Development and Culture Committee agree to grant Landowner’s consent for the siting of the plinth on King’s Esplanade in the position shown on the plan annexed to the report;

            (2) That the Economic Development and Culture Committee agree for any final lease arrangements to be determined, subject to planning consent, in accordance with the Scheme of Delgation to the Commissioner for Culture acting in consultation with the Seafront Development Manager and the Head of Legal Services.

52.1    The Committee considered a report of the Interim Lead, Cultural Services seeking the necessary Landowner’s consent for the siting of a plinth on the seafront in Hove. The plinth would also require planning permission and would be subject to a planning application.

52.2    The report detailed the request received from Hove Civic Society requesting that they be permitted to install a plinth on the King’s Esplanade, opposite the statue of Queen Victoria to the south end of Grand Avenue, to act as a site for a series of temporary sculptures. The dimensions of the plinth would be 2.5m in height, 2.5m in width (east to west) and 2.25m in depth (north to south). It would be constructed from Roman stone which was similar in appearance to Portland Stone but had greater resistance to weathering.

52.3    The Interim Lead, Cultural Services explained that in addition to specially commissioned pieces, the Society would work to establish links with other leading sculpture foundations in the country such as CASS Sculpture Foundation and the Henry Moore Foundation for example to facilitate the loans of works for the plinth.

52.4    The Deputy Head of Law, as the legal advisor to the committee, explained that the reference in recommendation 2.2 to the Commissioner for Culture should be replaced with a reference to the Strategic Director, Place.

52.5    The Chair, Councillor Bowden stated that this proposal was welcomed and had come to fruition following some 18 months of discussion with Hove Civic Society.

52.6    Councillor Fitch stated that he welcomed the proposal which would make a positive contribution to Hove seafront.

52.7    Councillor Wealls welcomed the proposal but expressed concern regarding arrangements which would be put into place should the Civic Society fold at some future date.

52.8    Councillor Brown also welcomed the proposal, which was for a good location which would enliven that part of the seafront. She was pleased to note that care had been taken to choose materials for the plinth which would weather well and hoped that similar care would be taken in choosing the statues to be placed on it. Given the location of the plinth it was likely to draw the attention on Members and members of the public.

52.9    RESOLVED - (1) That the Economic Development and Culture Committee agree to grant Landowner’s consent for the siting of the plinth on King’s Esplanade in the position shown on the plan annexed to the report;

               (2) That the Economic Development and Culture Committee agree for any final lease arrangements to be determined, subject to planning consent, in accordance with the Scheme of Delegation to the Strategic Director, Place acting in consultation with the Seafront Development Manager and the Head of Legal Services.