Agenda item

To receive and consider the report of the Venue & Events Officer.

Members received and considered the updated Business Plan. The principal amendment was the inclusion of Café 1863, following an earlier request of the Committee.

The Venues and Events Officer (V&EO) outlined the vision and purpose sections of the Plan. Members were unanimously supportive of the three strategic pillars identified, which underpinned Café 1863 as an affordable, accessible, sustainable and community-focused venue.

Members noted that, wherever possible, Café 1863 seeked to source products from local suppliers and those that were endorsed as Fairtrade. It was also recognised that this approach should be balanced with the Council’s duty to ensure value for money and responsible use of public funds.

It was further noted that the integration of Café 1863 with the wider events offerings at the Corn Exchange was delivering improved financial performance. This would continue to be monitored and reported to the Committee through future updates.

Members discussed the potential role of the Corn Exchange in supporting provision for young people. It was recognised that the Council already contributed to youth engagement through its support of The Station’s BREAK and that Café 1863 has been utilised during holiday periods. Members agreed that, while the Council remained committed to supporting youth provision, venues such as The Courtside Hub at the Leys may be better suited to regular youth focused activities, ensuring that provision could be accommodated without impacting on existing bookings and the operational viability of the Corn Exchange.

Resolved:

1.       That, the updated Business Plan be noted and;

2.       That, the three strategic pillars underpinning the Café 1863’s vision and purpose to be a community social hub, support events and had commercial sustainability be approved.