The St Ives Community Steering Group, guided by independent Community Consultant Jeff Bishop, has overseen the consultation process. On 29 June 2006 they organised a public St Ives Consultation Forum, which was attended by 75 local people. At this meeting a number of hopes and concerns were raised by the community about any further development of Tate St Ives.

These issues were listed in a Community Brief:

Tate St Ives Needs

• Tate St Ives Phase Two argument for growth and change needs to be made clear to the local community
• Exhibitions should be diversified; continue with contemporary exhibitions, show more and make better links with local artists, show more of the St Ives School; the above will inevitably mean extra gallery space
• Be willing to consider split-site options

Community

• There needs to be a general agreement that an expanded Tate St Ives (building and activities) should fit within, not overpower, St Ives (in all senses)
• Ensure genuine community involvement at all stages of any project development
• Build up local enthusiasm and practical involvement in what is planned
• Make more links between Tate staff and activities and local people and activities
• Any development to be implemented with care (especially for any building works)

Local Economy

• Be more creative with charging, including special rates for local people
• Avoid adding new facilities that compete with others in St Ives
• Work with other local organisations to mutual benefit
• Enhance visitor attraction, in particular to extend the tourist season
• Ensure the changes help to benefit the local economy through jobs, knock-on effects etc.

Education

• Enhance all aspects of education services and links
• Work closely with others to achieve this, especially schools and colleges
• This inevitably means more space required for education rooms, offices etc.

Links to Local Culture

• Place Tate St Ives and its activities more clearly in the setting of the whole social and cultural history of the town
• This means working with many other local organisations/groups

Design

• Any changes: extension, new building, conversion, to be of outstanding design
• The design should be sympathetic to, and fit in with, the character of St Ives
• Minimise any adverse environmental impacts: noise, access, pollution etc.
• Improve disability access

Traffic

• A solution to the future of the Tate St Ives is very difficult without an overall traffic/transport plan for St Ives being prepared and implemented (or on its way to being)
  St Ives Parking Strategy
• The project should not have any negative effect on current parking provision
• Help to promote Park and Ride, even now
  St Erth Park and Ride Consultation (PDF format, 3.3MB, opens in new window)
• Address the issue of heavy object access and changeover of exhibitions

St Ives Consultation Steering Group Members

Cllr. Bill Fry - Mayor, St Ives Town Council
Cllr. Su Holland - St Ives Town Council
Sebastian Halliday - Chair, St Ives Trust
Colin Nicholls - Colenso DIY
Cathy Watkins - Chair, Tate St Ives Members
Pete Dale - Chair, Keep St Ives Special
Toni Carver - Editor, St Ives Times & Echo
John Sawle - Cornwall County Council
Rose Barnecut - Penwith District Council
Tamsin Daniel - Penwith District Council
Mark Osterfield - Tate St Ives
Jeff Bishop - BDOR Consultancy