Wrthi'n llwytho
Y penderfyniadau fel y mae cofnodion y cyngor yn eu cofnodi. Bydd crynodeb mewn iaith glir yn dilyn pan fydd wedi'i ysgrifennu.
RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 17th July 2025 as an accurate record.
RESOLVED: 1. To consider the information within the report and subject to comments, note its content.
RESOLVED: 1. To consider the information within the report and subject to comments, note its content.
In accordance with the Council’s code of conduct, there were no declarations made pertaining to items within the agenda.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 17th July 2025 as an accurate record.
The Strategic Culture and Arts Steering Group RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 17th July 2025 as an accurate record.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED: 1. To consider the information within the report and subject to comments, note its content.
The Head of Arts, Culture and Libraries introduced the report on Y Muni, which had been subject to a successful community asset transfer to Awen Cultural Trust (Registered Charity and Private Limited Company by guarantee without share capital), on 10th September 2024. With the aid of a PowerPoint presentation, representatives from Awen Cultural Trust provided the Steering Group with a detailed overview of the first twelve months of the operations at Y Muni, which included over 200 events, 8496 event attendances, over 10,500 visitors and 537 volunteer hours. Members were provided with information of the vast professional programme at the venue, which included performances by one of the most successful modern-day songwriters, Amy Wadge, along with a plethora of grassroots artists and emerging Welsh talent. Furthermore, the representatives were pleased to inform the Steering Group of the geographical spread of the audience, which reached areas across the wider UK. The presentation consisted of case studies, which captured the positive views of the local community in respect of the pricing and accessibility of the venue and highlighted that the venue had been instrumental in placing Pontypridd on the map. One Member praised the incredible success of Y Muni and spoke of the fantastic events she had attended since its opening. The Member questioned if there would be an opportunity to hold a youth theatre at the venue or if there were any financial barriers to this. Furthermore, given the successes within Pontypridd, the Member also questioned if the Arts Service would be expressing an interest into the newly launched UK Town of Culture competition. In relation to the question about the UK Town of Culture competition, the Head of Arts, Culture and Libraries advised the Steering Group that early discussions were taking place to consider the way forward and that key stakeholders would be involved when moving forward. In terms of the potential for a youth theatre, Awen took on board the suggestion and agreed with the Member that youth theatres play an important role. Awen advised that they would be happy to have conversations with the Arts Service but emphasised that they must be mindful of any existing groups and work within other cultural facilities within the local area. One Member thanked Awen Cultural Trust for the interesting presentation and emphasised the importance of the staff and volunteers at Y Muni. The Member spoke of her experiences when attending the venue and commended the staff and volunteers for delivering such a welcoming, friendly and professional service. Another Member took the opportunity to thank and congratulate Awen Cultural Trust for transforming the building in time for the successful 2024 National Eisteddfod in Rhondda Cynon Taf. The Member spoke of Y Muni’s commitment to the Welsh Language and questioned if more was being done to promote and use the language going forward. Awen representatives thanked the Member for the comment and acknowledged that more could be done to promote the language and to build upon the success of the Eisteddfod. Members were assured that the language was integral to Y Muni and that the aim going forward was to work with other establishments within Pontypridd to promote it. It was explained that conversations were taking place with Theatr na nóg and other Welsh Language theatre companies about what they could bring to the space and the Steering Group were assured that the team remained proactive in that respect. Awen also spoke of a project with Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Evan James, called VRï, which involved the recording of a new piece of Welsh music, ‘Tir Afonydd’, commissioned to celebrate local history and the reopening of Y Muni Pontypridd. In addition, there had been several Welsh Language artists and bands performing at the venue during the last year, with more to come, some of which were embargoed. In terms of live performances, it was explained that, often, there were few touring, but when they were, Y Muni were proactive in their approach. The Head of Arts, Culture and Libraries referred Members to section 5.3 and 5.4 of the report, which detailed further information in respect of the focus on Welsh or Wales-based artists at the venue. The officer drew attention to the Morfydd Owen Festival events and the work with Menter Iaith RCT, local Welsh medium schools and creative partners to increase Welsh language programming, presenting theatre from Arad Goch, and celebrating events such as Dydd Miwsig Cymru, Dydd Gwyl Dewi, and Dydd Santes Dwynwen. The Arts Council representative also took the opportunity to congratulate Awen Cultural Trust and commented that Y Muni had placed creativity and the Welsh Language at the heart of the community. The Arts Council were aware of further work being undertaken to promote the language but encouraged the teams to get in touch for support going forward. The Chair thanked Awen Cultural Trust for the presentation and the Steering Group RESOLVED: 1. To consider the information within the report and subject to comments, note its content.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED: 1. To consider the information within the report and subject to comments, note its content.
The Area Librarian provided the Steering Group with information on the progress of the Co-Lab space at Treorchy Library funded by the Welsh Government’s Priorities for Culture Capital Grant Fund 2025-2026. It was explained that, as part of the ongoing development of the Treorchy Cultural Hub (between Treorchy Library and the Park and Dare Theatre), the Library Service, in July 2025 and in consultation with the Arts Service, submitted a successful funding application to Welsh Government’s Priorities for Culture Capital Grant for £95,641.59 to create a collaborative working space at Treorchy Library for those identifying as artists within the community. In March 2025, the Arts Service, supported by the Community Development Team, published a Park and Dare Theatre-focused Snap Survey to seek resident views and this identified a need for a collaborative working space. Members were informed of the ongoing consultation with local artists including performers, poets, writers and visual artists to confirm the need for a Co-Lab space and to co-design with artists. The officer drew Members’ attention to section 4 of the report, which outlined the project, which was anticipated to provide both the artistic community and community in general with a space where creativity can thrive. One Member spoke positive of the project and the fact that it was driven by the needs of the local arts community. The Member spoke of the importance of the local arts community being part of ongoing discussions regarding the development. The Member took the opportunity to congratulate the team on what he considered to be a very interesting project. One Member echoed the comments and praised the cultural space within Treorchy and its excellent public transportation links nearby. The Member felt the development was much needed to bring together the plethora of history and stories from the local area and questioned if there were any plans to engage with the local schools as part of the development. In response, the officer advised the Steering Group the ‘E-Teens’ area within Treorchy Library, which was utilised by children from the local comprehensive school, in particular. It was explained that many of those pupils were also involved in the local theatre and music groups and had attended engagement sessions to feed into the planning process. The officer assured the Steering Group that the project was very much based on the conversations with the local artists but emphasised that it was still in the planning stages of how the space would be utilised going forward. The Chair thanked the officer for the exciting report and spoke highly of the staff within Treorchy Library and of the E-Teens area. The Chair commented on the close links between the library and the Park and Dare Theatre and questioned how the strong relationship between the two would develop. The officer spoke of the initial consultation run by the theatre and the Community Development Team, which acknowledged the need for an accessible and flexible daytime space by the artistic community. Although not prescriptive, the officer advised that the relaxed and creative space would be a stepping stone for the local artistic community for research, networking with other artists and utilising the expertise of the staff to produce works, which could be showcased in the theatre, whether that be in Stiwdio 1 or on the main stage; ultimately strengthening the links between the two venues and enhancing the Treorchy Cultural Hub offer. The Chair thanked the officer and Members for their contributions and the Steering Group RESOLVED: 1. To consider the information within the report and subject to comments, note its content.
Rhaid i gynghorwyr ddweud pan fydd ganddyn nhw gysylltiad personol â rhywbeth sy'n cael ei drafod, fel swydd, eiddo neu aelod o'r teulu. Mae buddiant sy'n rhagfarnu yn ddigon cryf i'r cynghorydd adael yr ystafell fel arfer a pheidio â chymryd rhan.
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Yn rhestru cynghorwyr presennol y cyngor yn unig. Nid yw aelodau cyfetholedig, swyddogion a chyn-gynghorwyr yn cael eu dangos.