Agenda item

To update the Committee on the work undertaken to develop a refreshed Cultural Strategy for the district.

The Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure presented the draft Cultural Strategy. There was a commitment within the Council’s current Corporate Plan to develop a refreshed strategy to support the Council’s ambition to be the best place to live, work and visit.

A significant amount of research and consultation had been undertaken prior to developing the draft strategy. The Council had been supported by Red Quadrant, who were appointed following a compliant procurement exercise.

The basis of the work and key areas included, were previously agreed by Members of the Council’s former Culture and Visitor Economy Overview and Scrutiny Committee. 

Appended to the report were details of the results of the extensive consultation, which had been undertaken across the District. The results of the consultation were being used to inform the final draft of the strategy.

Although the Council’s arts and cultural activities were highly regarded by residents and visitors of the District, spend on the area was discretionary. It was important that the service provided value for money and delivered the Council’s outcomes. 

The strategy focused on engendering a collaborative approach to providing cultural activity across the District.

It was proposed the Committee receive six-monthly updates to monitor progress on the strategy, if adopted. 

One Member highlighted the public engagement and that the greater proportion of respondents were aged between 65 and 74. It was noted very few respondents were aged 34 and under. It was queried as to whether the Council had a policy to encourage the younger people of the District to become involved within cultural events. The suggestion was put forward for engagement of ages 34 and under to take place on social media.

The Assistant Director of Culture and Leisure confirmed that activities took place at the venues for children and young people. Recent Arts Council Transitional Funding had been received which would enable activities to take place out in the community. The Council were conscious of encouraging a younger audience and were also engaged with Lincolnshire One Venues which had young audience interest.

It was further suggested that Facebook groups be utilised to provide information to people within the District.

One Member requested lessons learnt, strengths and weaknesses of the previous Cultural Strategy. The journey of the document was also questioned.

It was queried as to what the low, medium and high funding ask was for the strategy and whether a timetable could be provided as to when the funding envelope would be worked on.

The draft strategy was presented to the Committee to receive input from Members, to take comments, suggestions and feedback and a report was due to be presented to Cabinet on 11 July 2023 for adoption. The Assistant Director of Culture and Leisure proposed draft KPI’s are brought back to the Committee to form the basis of the six-monthly updates.

The established budget had been received and there was no current ask for any additional funding. The Council were willing to work collaboratively with community groups, both to which were open to funding opportunities.

The Director of Growth and Culture confirmed the previous cultural strategy was a series of desires and aspirations. It was not a strategy which the Council would recognise and the new strategy was more in keeping with the contemporary format of other strategies the Council had.

It was queried as to whether the strategy could be a ‘working document’ or had to be confirmed and published as a final document.

Concern was raised on the lack of provision for young people within the draft Cultural Strategy.

The proposed Cultural Strategy ran up to 2026. The balanced budget was queried and whether a test would need to be undertaken to ensure the Council were comfortable in funding and working out where the weaknesses were previously. 

The Chief Finance Officer highlighted a point around the alignment of the Cultural Strategy to the Corporate Plan and that all strategies would need to compliment and support the visions of the Council’s Corporate Plan. There would need to be a realignment or test to ensure the strategy aligned with the new Corporate Plan in 2024.

It was confirmed budget setting would occur in the Autumn 2024. The Committee needed to be mindful of when budgets were being taken to Full Council, that the ambitions in the strategy were tempered accordingly within budget constraints, or proposals put forward to request bids and reallocation of funding to deliver the strategy outcomes.

The Director of Growth and Culture informed the Committee that within the report were various themes under the equality and inclusion item. It stated the focus of a percentage of programming at target audiences, especially young people.

One Member suggested other means of interacting with the community without engaging via leaflets, posters etc which would not have any cost impact to the Council.

The Assistant Director of Culture and Leisure reminded Members the suggestion of the six-monthly updates brought back to the Committee would provide them with the opportunity to have an input on the strategy and to monitor progress.

One Member suggested the idea of an ongoing programme of sending questionnaires or feedback to organisations within the District to provide ongoing feedback of the Cultural Strategy.

The Chairman informed the Committee that any suggestions, additions or amendments of the draft Cultural Strategy be sent to himself, the Cabinet Member or the Assistant Director of Culture and Leisure.

It was proposed, seconded and AGREED that the Culture and Leisure Overview and Scrutiny Committee:

1. Considers the draft Cultural Strategy produced, making any suggestions of additions or amendments which should be considered.

2. Following the incorporation of any additions or amendments, recommends to Cabinet that the Cultural Strategy is adopted to underpin the corporate priority of Healthy and Strong Communities.

3. Following adoption of the Cultural Strategy by Cabinet, agrees to receive six monthly updates on the progress and delivery of the Action Plan within the Cultural Strategy.