Minutes:
Prior to consideration of the reports on the Revenue Estimates and District Rates 2020/21 and Financial Reporting Quarter 2, the Committee was advised the representatives of the Ulster Orchestra and the MAC were in attendance to address the Committee in relation to funding issues.
The Committee agreed to receive the presentations and accordingly the representatives were invited to the meeting.
Ulster Orchestra
Mr. Richard Wigley, Managing Director, Ulster Orchestra, stated that the Orchestra was seeking to continue its Additional Funding Agreement with the Council beyond the current endpoint of March 2020. He indicated that it had been a vital part of the Orchestra’s success story, and a strong Public Value Proposition, by allowing the Orchestra to focus resources on securing income for its Learning and Community Engagement programme (LGE), and that that needed to continue.
He reviewed what the additional funding agreement covered, including Ulster Hall and Waterfront Hall rent and services, LGE activity and office rent.
Mr Wigley then reviewed what the Ulster Orchestra was able to achieve with the Council’s support and what it would allow it to do in the future and how it supported partners and local people. He then referred to its search for a new rehearsal and leaning hub.
In conclusion, he highlighted the Orchestra’s 50 performances in one day event to mark its 50th anniversary.
Mr Wigley then answered a number of questions from the Members and the Chairperson, on behalf of the Committee, thanked him for his presentation and he retired from the meeting.
The MAC
Ms. Anne McReynolds, Chief Executive, The MAC, highlighted how the venue was animating the city since its opening in April, 2012, in that it was open 365 days a year, was accessible, inclusive, home-grown and international. It had received 27 awards and 12 nominations for the building, the business and its work and had 2.2 million visits to date.
Following a review of its business model in 2017, the MAC had developed a sustainability plan which included bringing the café bar in-house, redeveloping the venue’s hire strategy, the creation of a cabaret club and a creative leaning strategy.
This had resulted in a 76% theatre occupancy versus the Northern Ireland average of 50%; an increase of 25% in the sale of tickets compared to year one; and income being nearly doubled since 201/13. Ms. McReynolds then reviewed the income from venue hire, from the cafe bar and from trusts and foundations, corporate sponsorship and donations.
She the outlined the financial support received from the Council for the previous three years and stated that for the current year The MAC was seeking a similar level of funding this year as in the previous 2 years.
Ms. McReynolds concluded by the outlining the venue’s purpose which was “To make Northern Ireland a better place through the creation and enjoyment of and participation in outstanding art” and its vision which was “A creative and confident society that celebrates diversity”.
The Chairperson, on behalf of the Committee, thanked Ms McReynolds for attending and she left the meeting.
The Committee noted the presentations and noted that any requests for additional funding could only be considered in conjunction with the Financial Reporting Quarter 2 report which is due to be considered later in the meeting.