Agenda item

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“Relevant Background Information

      Multi-Annual Funding for culture and arts was implemented in 2004 after extensive consultation to inform the process and criteria for assessment.

A two-phase process was adopted:

·         Phase 1 – selection of Multi-Annual Funding clients based on organisational capacity and detailed analysis of the organisation’s strategic direction

·         Phase 2 – application process to decide on apportionment of funding based on submission of three year programme

      11 Multi Annual Funding clients were selected and were awarded 3 year funding from April 2005 – March 2008. The 11 existing Multi?Annual clients have been reviewed as part of an external evaluation conducted by Deloitte. Each of the existing Multi-Annual Funding clients was evaluated to assess the strength of their programme delivery against the criteria under which they were selected and awarded funding. The assessment focused on the objectives set by the organisations as part of the Multi-Annual Funding process. 7 of the organisations consistently met objectives and continued to be awarded funding through a Multi-Annual (3 year) process. Belfast Film Festival was no longer eligible for Multi?Annual Funding and moved to Annual Funding. As three organisations met some but not all of the criteria they were subject to review after one year. These organisations were Belfast Festival at Queens, Linen Hall Library and Lyric Theatre Trust.

      All three organisations have undergone a review based on the findings in the Deloitte report as well as assessment of current activities and future planning. They were invited to make a written response and one-to-one meetings took place with each organisation.

      Also as Members will be aware at Development Committee in May 2008, it was agreed by Members to reopen the Multi-Annual funding (on the basis of providing a 2 year process), but to increase the number of Multi-annual Clients to no more than16.

      A call for expressions of interest was issued to organisations not currently receiving Multi-Annual Funding but who wished to be considered in 2009/20011. 22 organisations responded by the deadline of 8th July 2008. Officers contacted all of the interested organisations to discuss eligibility.  One to one meetings were held with 20 organisations to provide detailed advisory sessions.

      Further information including assessment criteria on the tender process for Multi -Annual Funding was issued, and 13 tenders were received by the deadline of midday 29th August 2008. These organisations were subsequently evaluated against the assessment criteria.

      Phase 2 of Multi Annual Funding will be via a programme application, which will also coincide with Annual Funding, the deadline for applications is 19th December 2008.

Key Issues

      Assessment of Multi-Annual Funding Tenders

      Two organisations scored particularly highly, scoring over 70%, which was the previously applied threshold for Multi-Annual Funding. It is therefore recommended that the two new organisations are admitted to Multi-Annual Funding:

Féile an Phobail

Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival

      In relation to the three Multi-Annual organisations currently on review, all have undergone assessment and, based on information provided, it has been established that overall, the performance and targets have been satisfactorily met. It is therefore recommended that the following organisations continue to receive Multi-Annual Funding:

Belfast Festival at Queen’s

Lyric Theatre

Linen Hall Library

Resource Implications

Financial

      It is recommended that for 2009/10 a sum of £960.000 increased in line with inflation is provisionally agreed for Multi-Annual and Annual Funding, subject to the approval of the Council’s annual revenue estimates.

Human Resources

      This will be absorbed within the planned work of the Culture and Arts Unit.

Recommendations

      It is recommended that Members:

1.      Approve the organisations indicated for Multi-Annual Funding

2.      Agree that the Multi-Annual and Annual Funding programme application deadline is 19th December 2008

3.      Agree a provisional budget of £960,000 increased in line with inflation for Multi-Annual and Annual Funding for the 2009/2010 financial year.”

            After discussion, the Committee adopted the foregoing recommendations.