The Leisure and Culture Overview and Scrutiny Commission was scheduled to meet on Wednesday, 16 September 2026, to discuss the refurbishment of the Albemarle Music Centre, receive an update on the Music Plan, and review performance reporting. The meeting also included a review of the work programme for the upcoming year.

Refurbishment of Albemarle Music Centre

The commission was scheduled to undertake pre-decision scrutiny regarding the proposed investment in the Albemarle Music Centre, the home of the Hull Music Service. A report presented for consideration outlined the need for refurbishment due to the building's current condition and its suitability for service delivery. The proposed works included security and access control for the front entrance and reception, a new roof covering, rendering of the Albemarle cone, and new heating and ventilation systems. The report highlighted that the works would be funded from the Council's approved capital programme and planned building maintenance allocation for 2026/2027 and 2027/28. The estimated cost for the project was approximately £1.4 million. The report also detailed the building's importance as a flagship cultural asset and the physical embodiment of Hull's Music Hub, contributing to the city's ambition to become a UNESCO Creative City of Music. The proposed refurbishment aimed to address health and safety concerns, replace end-of-life mechanical and electrical plant with energy-efficient equipment, and improve security.

Music Plan - How Far Have We Come

An update was scheduled to be received on the Hull Music Plan. The plan's vision is for music in Hull to play a strategic role in driving the city's reputation as a progressive centre for community-led culture and heritage, aiming for global leadership in music creation and experience. The plan was developed through music networks and a sector workshop involving around 100 representatives. Key themes identified in the plan include a focus on inclusion, the strength of local stories, championing music infrastructure, and the power of relationships, guided by values of being bold, inspired, and distinctly Hull. The plan outlines desired outcomes such as increased investment in music delivery, enhanced media coverage, improved economic value of the music sector, increased national and international collaboration, and confidence in Hull as a place to develop a music career. The update was expected to cover progress made, including efforts towards the UNESCO Creative City of Music application, the development of digital platforms like Reveal Hull, Hull becoming part of the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities, and securing Hull as the host for the Music Cities Convention 2025. It was also to detail the launch of the New City Youth Choir, the work of Choral Hull, and support for various music events and initiatives, including collaborations with national artists and organisations.

Performance Reporting - Culture, Place and City Centre

The commission was scheduled to receive an update on the performance reporting framework for Culture, Place and City Centre (CPCC). A briefing paper provided an overview of current performance measures linked to the Council Plan, including the value of tourism, the number of participants in culture, overnight bed nights, visitor numbers to cultural facilities, audience numbers for cultural activities, library visits (in-person and online), cultural events delivered, and audience numbers for music events. The paper noted that some measures, such as the value of tourism, rely on national statistics published with a delay. It also highlighted the need to develop more timely tourism-related measures and to work with the Music Board to capture city-wide music participation and audience data to align with the Hull Music Plan's outcomes.

HCAL Performance Monitoring Client Report

An update on Hull Culture and Leisure (HCAL) performance monitoring Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) was scheduled. HCAL delivers a range of cultural, leisure, heritage, learning, and community services on behalf of Hull City Council. The KPIs are designed to monitor HCAL's contribution to the Council's strategic ambitions, covering areas such as financial sustainability, participation and reach, customer and community impact, operational health, and workforce. The report was expected to detail KPIs related to commercial income, third-party income, external grant funding, income per visitor, participation rates across service areas, membership growth, audience reach by postcode, customer satisfaction, participation from priority groups, community programme participation, volunteer activity, facility utilisation, unplanned closures, health and safety incidents, staff attendance, and staff turnover.

Leisure and Culture WP 2026-27

The commission was due to review the work programme for the Leisure and Culture Overview and Scrutiny Commission for the 2026/27 period. The work programme outlines scheduled meetings, standing items, themed reports, and pre-decision scrutiny items for the year. It also details proposed visits, including a sports stadia health and safety visit and a visit to the Hull Fair Control Room. The programme indicated that future discussions would cover topics such as the Children and Young People Culture and Heritage Plan, the Culture and Heritage Strategy delivery, updates on specific facilities like Ennerdale Leisure Centre and libraries, the UNESCO City of Music bid, and theatre and halls commissioning. The work programme also highlighted the intention to explore holding future commission meetings outside of the Guildhall in leisure and culture-based venues to improve engagement and understanding of the sector.