Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Recreation and Heritage Item 6

16 September 2004

Support for Independent Arts Organisations - Proteus Production of Chaser

Report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage

Contact: Michael Fuller Ext:6016 [email protected]

1. Summary

The following Decision is sought:

That Proteus Theatre Company be provided with £11,550 of partnership funding towards the set up costs of the 2004 Chaser tour subject to the Director of Recreation and Heritage confirming availability of funding.

2. Reason

Proteus Theatre Company have obtained funding for tour of the schools production Chaser. However, they need the set up and rehearsal costs to be funded. It was expected that this would come from the Drugs Action Team but they do not have the funds. It is proposed that the costs of £23,100 be covered by both Social Services and Recreation and Heritage.

The work at Proteus supports the Corporate Strategy elements of improving the quality of life for residents of the county, maximising life opportunities through its development of young people's talents and building a strong community with local people promoting their events throughout the county.

3. Other options considered and rejected

· Not funding the company.

· Finding other sources of funding.

4. Conflicts of interest declared by the decision maker or other Executive Member consulted

None.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee

Not applicable.

6. Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent - Not applicable.

Approved by: (signature) Date: (date of decision)

................................. ..............................

Councillor J. Waddington

Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Recreation and Heritage Item 6

16 September 2004

Support for Independent Arts Organisations - Proteus Production of Chaser

Report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage

Contact: Michael Fuller Ext: 6016

1. Chaser

1.1 The Proteus Theatre Company is a community theatre company based in Basingstoke on the QMC campus. For the past four years it has produced a production for Year 9 students in Hampshire schools. The 'forum' theatre show features three young actors taking the students through a few incidents which might happen to young people in the county.

1.2 The play itself aims to

· help young people, come to terms with, and understand, the effect of peer pressure

· empower young people to say no to substance misuse

· raise awareness on the personal and social outcomes of the effects of substance misuse

· target young people in Hampshire schools in year 8

· build on existing physical and social education provision in schools

A 70 minute "forum" workshop then follows on where actors and audience participate in examining the issued raised by the play. Audiences are encouraged to challenge assumptions and role play characters.

2. Financial Implications

2.1 The production running costs will be paid for by the district councils where the show is being performed. Currently this will be in Eastleigh, Test Valley and Winchester with further weeks on offer to other areas. Funding is being found from Eastleigh and Test Valley South Primary Care Trust and the Community Safety budget of Winchester City Council.

2.2 These costs and income does not take account of the set up and rehearsal costs which amount to £23,100. Funding will be split between the Recreation and Heritage Department and the Social Services Department. The Recreation and Heritage share (£11,550) will be taken from the Policy Fund.

3. Legal Implications

3.1 The County Council is able to utilise broad powers under the Local Government Act 1972 to provide financial support for the arts. In particular, Section 145 of the Act enables the Council to contribute towards the expenses of doing anything necessary or expedient for any of a number of purposes, including the provision of entertainment of any nature, or the provision of a theatre, concert hall, dance hall or other premises suitable for entertainment. The powers include the ability to contribute towards the expenses of maintaining a band or orchestra and towards the development and improvement of the knowledge, understanding and practice of the arts.

4. The Views of the Local Members

4.1 All the local members who have responded, Councillors Davidovitz, Glasspool, Holden-Brown, Peskett and House, to a copy of the application from proteus have expressed their support for the recommendation.

5. Hampshire County Council's Corporate Strategy

5.1 The Chaser production helps to build safe and strong communities through the engagement of young people by challenging them over the socialisation within communities. It maximises life opportunities by offering young people the chance to experience live performances of incidents likely to occur in their lives.

Recommendation

That Proteus Theatre Company be provided with £11,550 of partnership funding towards the set up costs of the 2004 Chaser tour.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

N.B. the list excludes:

1. Published works.

2. Documents that disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

TITLE LOCATION

Application Form Arts Office file