Discussion started looking at the use of planning gain money. There was no clarity on how LB Sutton uses this, though there was some evidence that it had been used for High Street improvement - such as the water feature outside Sainsburys. Technically this money can be spent on anything, there are examples of local authorities using this funding creatively - such as Wandsworth who use to subsidise rents for artists studios.

It was suggested that developers are approached before they start building so that cultural infrastructure is built in to development plans. Could the local authority demand this as part of the planning permission? It was important that there was a vision and a broader strategy rather than piecemeal public art pieces which local people can object to. An example was given of the pedestrian crossings in Croydon which have been 'arted up' but has led to a lot of complaint from residents. But where there was an overarching vision it has been more positive - such as the new theatre in Peckham - in this instance the council acted as a broker between the arts group and the developers.

An economic argument needed to be made with developers, there is evidence that this kind of investment works to their advantage - both through reduced rates on occupied rather than empty space and through improved sales prices. Theatres have been proven for example at greatly adding value to house prices - there is hard proof on this. Developers are becoming more aware of the benefits to them through such projects. Some good examples of work being carried out by British Land and through Building Guardianship.

We should broker the support of Estate Agents, as this would also benefit them. Example of an arts magazine in Waltham Forest funded by Estate Agents. Action: liaise with Estate Agents about sponsoring ANS What's On pages of the website and maybe a newsletter and delivery. Estate Agents need to describe the area to include art/culture activity. CAOS to link ANS in with Goodfellas, ANS committee will follow up once the website developed.

Example of Theatre Delicatessen who use empty buildings for performance, studio space, and rehearsal rooms. They also run café and bars. These have all been very successful.

The group thought it was just as important to have pop-up events/spaces as much as a permanent space and def more than public art. Much more about changing the atmosphere and the diversity of the borough than building a space. Temp/and pop up is much more manageable and less paperwork! The flip side of this though is that some temp spaces do become permanent. These projects are also a good way of building audiences and proving demand.

However many people in the Borough do want a space. Good example of ACME led studios.

The planning team require a shopping list which they can give to developers, Cllr Penneck to liaise with ANS on this.

We need to act quickly as the houses are going up now. Sutton has a huge housing target and is focussed on town centres.

More signage is needed to highlight what we do have.

We need to network all our networks, develop a Face Book Group not just a page. We need to encourage corporate members and enable ANS members to reach out to proactive officers and corporate supporters.

The GLA is producing a Cultural Infrastructure Plan which will map provision, identify gaps, and offer a how to fit out guide/tool kit which will be a resource for local communities to work with developers.

We need to make more links with the cancer hub and develop some joint projects and approaches.

We need to find corporate friends who can network us to other businesses, perhaps one will host a business network event?