Irwell Sculpture Trail
Memorandum of Agreement
MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN BURY METROPOLITAN BOROUGH COUNCIL, LANCASHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL, ROSSENDALE BOROUGH COUNCIL AND SALFORD CITY COUNCIL
1. | INTRODUCTION |
1.1 | This memorandum of Agreement will run for three years seven months and covers the period 25 September 1997 to 31 March 2001. |
1.2 | This memorandum of Agreement sets out the detailed arrangements and agreement between the four partner organisations for developing ways in which they will work individually and together, to support the creation of the IrwellSculpture Trail during the next five year period. |
1.3 | It is made pursuant to Section 1 Local Authorities (Goods and Services) Act 1970, Section III Local Government Act 1972 and to all other enabling powers. |
2. | CONCEPT |
2.1 | The Arts and the Environment The arts offer the opportunity for the creative expression of thoughts and feelings about and with the environment by groups of people; they allow an effective means for public participation in the environmental change. The creative process can develop a community's response to the environment and promote educational and community development, cultural consciousness, social cohesion and spiritual well being. Environmental art can facilitate delivery of all manner of existing policy. |
3. | AIMS |
3.1 | To develop an environmental art trail that contributes to the enjoyment, use and community identity of the Irwell Valley. |
4. | THE IRWELL SCULPTURE TRAIL AREA |
4.1 | The Irwell Sculpture Trall will follow the existing route of the Irwell Valley Way being within (the boundaries of Salford City Council, Bury MetropolitanBorough Council, Rossendale Borough Council and Lancashire CountyCouncil. |
5. | OBJECTIVES |
5.1 | To produce collective and individual artistic features of a high quality. |
5.2 | To create a unique regional tourist attraction, complimenting and linkingexisting attractions. |
5.3 | To improve the environment throughout arts-led projects. |
5.4 | To increase countryside access. |
5.5 | To increase community participation in environmental improvements througharts led projects. |
5.6 | To increase local awareness of art and the environment. |
5.7 | To develop community links along the corridor through the arts. |
6. | PROGRESS OF THE IRWELL SCULPTURE TRAIL |
6.1 | Over a number of years, the local authorities, have put significant time andmoney into regenerating the Irwell corridor. The Sculpture Trail continues thiscommitment. |
7. | PROJECTS |
7.1 | A wide range of schemes are planned which will reflect the social andenvironmental character of the Irwell Way area. These arts projects willembrace all manner of artistic practice. |
8. | METHOD OF WORKING |
8.1 | The Partnership will.
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9. | THE IRWELL SCULPTURE TRAIL PROJECT OFFICER |
9.1 | Subject to funding becoming available the Partnership will fund theappointment of an Irwell Sculpture Trail Project Officer. |
9.2 | The Project Officer will be based in Bury. |
9.3 | The job description and person specification will be agreed by the Joint OfficerWorking Group. |
9.4 | The Project Officer will be responsible to the Irwell Sculpture TrailPartnership. The Project Officer will be line managed on a day to day basis byan appropriate officer in the managing authority. |
9.5 | The Project Officer will:
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10. | ROLE OF THE PARTNERS |
10.1 | The partners will co-operate to:
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11. | THE MANAGING AUTHORITY |
11.1 | The managing authority is hereby designated as Bury MBC. |
11.2 | Subject to funding, the managing authority will:
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11.3 | The Partnership will indemnify the managing Authority against any claims, demands proceedings costs and expenses in respect of or arising out of the Project Officers contract of employment. |
12. | STEERING ARRANGEMENTS |
12.1 | A Joint Officer Working Group will steer the strategic direction of the Initiative, monitor progress and give guidance on targets on behalf of the Irwell Sculpture Trail Partnership. |
12.2 | The Group will include officer representatives from each of the four local authorities, and representatives from Rossendale Groundwork Salford and Trafford and Groundwork Arts in the North West, with observer status for representatives from the Red Rose Forest, North West Arts Board and The Countryside Commission. The Group will be chaired in rotation by the four local authorities. The membership and nature of the Joint Officer Working Group will be reviewed as necessary. |
12.3 | The Group will meet at least three times a year and receive reports from the Project Officer in a format agreed by the Group. The Group will agree and monitor on a regular basis the implementation programme. |
12.4 | The Irwell Sculpture Trail Partnership Committee will consist of two elected members from Bury MBC, Salford CC and Rossendale BC with one member from Lancashire CC. The Committee will annually elect from its members a chair and vice-chair. The Project Officer acts as principal adviser to the Partnership Committee. The membership and nature of the Committee will be reviewed as necessary. |
12.5 | The Group will meet at least twice a year to review the progress of the Irwell Sculpture Trail implementation and to direct the initiative on major policy and financial issues and to integrate the Irwell Sculpture Trail into all activities of the local authorities. One of these meetings will include a tour of the Trail. |
12.6 | The Quorum for a Committee meeting shall be three members made up of one member from Bury MBC and Salford CC plus one member from either Rossendale BC or Lancashire CC. |
12.7 | The first meeting of the Committee will receive a draft constitution and standing orders for its approval and subsequent proceedings. |
13 | PUBLICATION AND ACCESS TO INFORMATION |
13.1 | For the purposes of this agreement, (the definition 'exempt information' is set out in the provisions of the Local Government (Access to information) Act 1985. |
13.2 | Access to exempt information and data, and any other confidential documents and material obtained or produced as a result of this initiative, will be available to each of the partner organisations. Each of the partner organisations can specify instances and circumstances where this is not appropriate should they so wish. The Officer Working Group will decide which information is confidential in any cases of doubt or uncertainty. Exempt information and data, and any other confidential documents and material obtained or produced as a result of this initiative, will not be published without the agreement of the partner organisations. |
13.3 | Access to and use of confidential information and data, and any other confidential documents and material obtained or produced as a result of this initiative will not be permitted to other organisations and individuals without the agreement of the partner organisations. |
13.4 | Each of the partner organisations will liaise and consult with one another as each considers appropriate and necessary with regard to press and media statements and radio and TV broadcasting. |
14. | FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS |
14.1 | Budget control for the initiative will be reviewed at each meeting of the Officer Working Group. The Partnership Committee will agree an annual budget and a forward financial projection for the remaining years of the agreed schedule of implementation. |
15. | FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION |
15.1 | The costs of the Project Officer will be met in the first instance by the Managing Authority which will be responsible for the exercise of proper financial control and administration of funding generated externally for the whole initiative. |
16. | REVIEW OF ARRANGEMENTS WITHIN THIS MEMORANDUM |
16.1 | This Memorandum will be reviewed in July 1998 or earlier if necessary. |
17. | PROJECT DIRECTION |
17.1 | Any person authorised by any of the partners shall be entitled at all reasonable times to examine the progress of the initiative or to inspect any relevant books, documents, records or audited accounts. |
18. | TERMINATION |
18.1 | Any partner may terminate their adherence to this Memorandum on giving at least six months formal notice expiring at a financial year end. In this event their agreed proportion of the costs, charges, expenses or any other debts or liabilities which have been incurred or accruing up to the date of termination will be payable up to the date of termination within the terms of this Memorandum. |