Agenda and minutes

The Chairman informed the Committee that Jean Haynes, a representative of the Friends of Keats House who sat on the Committee, had sadly passed away since the previous Committee meeting. Members accordingly held a moments silence in memory of Jean Haynes. It was also noted that she had been a City Guide for a number of years.

Apologies for absence were received from John Scott, Dr Hillas Smith and Susan Kirby.

There were no declarations.

To agree the minutes of the last meeting held on 7 February 2012.

The minutes of the meeting held on 7 February 2012 were agreed as a correct record.

MATTERS ARISING

John Keats Rose –The Director of Culture, Heritage & Libraries confirmed that a John Keats rose existed, but it was not on sale in the UK. It was unclear as to whether the rose could be purchased abroad. In response to a Member’s question, the Director confirmed that it would not be possible to name a different rose after Keats as one already existed, however if the Keats species had died out it may be possible to name a different rose in his honour. Members noted that there was also a species of Narcissus Poeticus named after Keats. The Director undertook to investigate the possibility of planting and selling this flower on site.

Report of the Director of Culture, Heritage and Libraries.

The Committee received a report of the Director of Culture, Heritage & Libraries summarising the progress in delivering Objective 1 of the Keats House Business Plan 2012-13 and the associated Performance Indicators.

In response to a Member’s query, the Director confirmed that the House did not have a wedding licence, but it had held a wedding reception a few years previously. At the time neighbours expressed concerns regarding the commercialisation of the site. However, the possibility of obtaining a wedding licence would be pursued in the future.

In response to a Member’s question, the Director confirmed that a House merchandise review would be undertaken in the near future.

In response to a Member’s question, the Director confirmed that it had been decided to enter a venture with the National Trust in order to offer a discount to Trust members. There had already been a soft launch, with a formal launch due in the coming months. A Member suggested that a map could be produced to show the location of Keats House, Fenton House and Kenwood House.

Members noted that Mick Scott had recently retired after a considerable tenure as Keats House Manager. Members recorded their thanks for his service and agreed to submit their thanks in a manner agreeable to him.

RECEIVED

Report of the Director of Culture, Heritage and Libraries.

The Committee received a report of the Director of Culture, Heritage & Libraries summarising the progress in delivering Objective 2 of the Keats House Business Plan 2012-13 and the associated Performance Indicators.

In response to a Member’s query, the Director of Culture, Heritage & Libraries advised that initially £22.5k of the anticipated £30k upkeep of Ten Keats Grove had been identified from the budget. The remaining £7.5k would be met through alternative funding streams.

RECEIVED

Report of the Director of Culture, Heritage and Libraries.

The Committee received a report of the Director of Culture, Heritage & Libraries summarising the progress in delivering Objective 3 of the Keats House Business Plan 2012-13 and the associated Performance Indicators.

The Director of Culture, Heritage & Libraries recorded his thanks to Susan Kirby for her assistance in registering the Foundation as a charity.

In response to a Member’s query, the Director advised that the objects of the Foundation had been amended on the advice of the Charity Commission in order for the Foundation to acquire charitable status.

RECEIVED

The Deputy Chairman reminded Members that Jean Haynes had been a City Guide.

In response to a Member’s query, the Director of Culture, Heritage & Libraries advised that a local Buddhist group hired a room in Ten Keats Grove on the first Wednesday of every month and they were charged the same rate as Keats Community Library. 

A Member advised that the gap in the budget for Ten Keats Grove would need to be reconciled in the future as it could prove difficult to justify to other City Committees on an ongoing basis.  

In response to a Member’s query relative to the closure of local police stations, the Director advised that it could be difficult for the City to comment on police activity within another local authority.

In response to a Member’s query, the Director confirmed that the laying of the Keats wreath at Westminster Abbey would be advertised both online and via the quarterly culture guide.

The Director of Culture, Heritage & Libraries advised that both the Friends of Keats House and the Friends of Heath Library were to be wound up and the former incorporated into the Keats Foundation. The Director thanked the individual members who had sat on the Committee for their contributions to discussions, and advised that it was likely that the Committee’s Terms of Reference would be revised by the Culture, Heritage & Libraries Committee when it met in December 2012 to reflect the winding up of these two bodies.

A Member suggested that as Claire Palmer no longer lived in London, and no other members of the South End Green Association wished to sit on the Committee, that body should be deleted from the Committee membership. Another Member suggested the representation of the Heath Hurst Residents’ Association be also reconsidered. The Director undertook to investigate the feasibility of these suggestions.

RESOLVED - That the next meetings of the Committee be held in Guildhall at 1.45pm on 5 February 2013 and in Keats House at 1.45pm on 17 September 2013.