Agenda item

Presentation by the Economic Development and Regeneration Lead.        (Enclosure)

The Council’s Strategic Lead for Economic Development and Regeneration gave a presentation on the draft Cultural Strategy, a copy of which was circulated with the agenda for the meeting. She explained that this was a new strategy which would deliver the Council’s priority of promoting leisure, arts and culture - a key driver behind the Council’s growth agenda. Specific action plans would sit under the strategy; each action plan would include consideration of potential risks and ways they could be mitigated.

Key topics within the presentation included:

·         A recap of the Council’s vision for the district in 2021, its strategic mission and corporate aims

·         Working in partnership to deliver the strategy

·         Defining the scope of the term culture

·         Current provision within the district in respect of culture, sports and leisure highlighting those services that the Council provided

·         How the ambition for the district in 2021 would be reflected in the urban centres and rural hinterlands

·         How to promote the benefits of South Kesteven’s culture

·         Preserving and developing the district’s unique cultural offer

·         Enabling and encouraging people to participate in cultural activity

Members of the PDG discussed the draft strategy, considering whether each area was sufficiently covered. A number of additional suggestions were made:

·         The strategic vision should recognise local competition and seek to promote the district as the destination of choice

·         The strategy should recognise education, particularly highlighted were classes for older people

·         The cultural offer within the district should be referred to generically to prevent the assumption that all services were provided by the district council (e.g. libraries and museums)

·         Distinction should be made between built and natural heritage. The strategy should also recognise local architecture

·         The details of current cultural provision should recognise opportunities presented by river-ways and waterways within the district

·         Current provision should also incorporate parks and street scene

·         In considering potential partners, thought should given to international partners through twinning arrangements

The PDG also considered the ambitions for each town that were listed in the presentation.

Grantham: Positive feedback was given on the development of a flexible space on St. Peter’s Hill. It was suggested that greater importance should be credited to the town’s historical attributes and promoting tourism. The two-week ‘love your market’ event was being used to promote Grantham’s market.

Stamford: It was suggested that the future vision for Stamford should incorporate an active family entertainment scene.

Bourne: The strategy for Bourne aimed to build on its unique character as a town centre supported by local people. The key ambitions for Bourne concentrated on community spirit and promoting cultural assets already in place. Members suggested that developing Bourne market could help achieve the vision for the town.

Deepings and the rural hinterlands: The suggestion was made that tourists could be attracted to the fen area of the district with the introduction of a ‘Fen Trail’.

Recommendation

1.    That the Portfolio Holder considers the issues raised by the PDG for inclusion in the draft Cultural Strategy

2.    That the Cabinet approves the adoption of the draft Cultural Strategy