2019-12-10 Services & Organisation Committee Agenda

SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                            10 DECEMBER 2019


3
DOCUMENT INFORM AT ION
                         COOROY BUTTER FACTORY MANAGEMENT UPDATE

Author                              Acting Manager Libraries & Galleries, Tracey King
                                    Community Services Department

Index                               ECM/ Subject/ 72.04 Butter Factory Arts Centre

Attachments                         1.    Cooroy Future Group Forecast Budget
                                    2.    Cooroy Future Group Strategic Plan


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Built in 1930, the Butter Factory (BFAC) at Cooroy has fulfilled a variety of community functions
and now operates as an art gallery, supporting initiatives that showcase local emerging and
amateur artists. In 2015, the Cooroy Future Group Inc (CFG), a volunteer-run community
organisation, were selected through an Expression of Interest process to manage and operate
the Butter Factory and adjoining pottery studio. Support has been provided from Council through
an annual operating subsidy. The agreement with Council expires on 31 December.
The CFG’s operation of the BFAC under this community-managed model has been highly
effective, with the group capably managing the facility to provide community and cultural
outcomes while demonstrating tight fiscal control, ending each year with a small operating
surplus. The CFG has been proactive in undertaking a range of revenue-raising activities and
funding capital facility improvements.
Building on the past four years, the CFG is planning for continued growth and development of the
BFAC through a Strategic Plan and forecast budget with exhibitions booked until the end of 2020.
This community-managed model has been found to be more sustainable than previous
operations. It remains the most cost-effective model which delivers the greatest benefits to the
community while reducing the financial and operational burden on Council. This report proposes
entering a further three-year agreement for the CFG to continue operating and managing the
Butter Factory until the end of 2022, supported by an annual reducing subsidy.

RECOMMENDATION
That Council note the report by the Acting Manager Libraries & Galleries to the Services &
Organisation Committee Meeting dated 10 December 2019 and
A.                       Authorise the CEO to enter into an agreement with the Cooroy Future Group Inc to operate
                         the Butter Factory for a further three-year period, commencing 1 January 2020. This
                         agreement is to be in accordance with Council’s Community Leasing Policy and subject to
                         continued satisfactory performance by the Group, reviewed on an annual basis;
B.                       Provide funding of $114,500 (ex GST) to the Cooroy Future Group Inc to support
                         operations for the first year to December 2020 in line with the approach outlined in the
                         Finance section of this report;
C.                       Refer future funding arrangements to the 2020/21 budget process; and
D.                       Extend congratulations to the Cooroy Future Group on their success thus far in operating
                         the Butter Factory.


REPORT
The purpose of this report is to provide Council with an update on the four years of operation of
the Cooroy Butter Factory Arts Centre (BFAC) by the Cooroy Future Group Inc (CFG) under a
community-managed model, and to recommend that Council enter an agreement with the CFG
for a further three years.

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