Archived decisions

PUBLIC SERVICE BOARD FOR CULTURE

1. The Executive Member has approved the establishment of a Partnership Board for Culture, which builds on a pilot project recently undertaken between the Recreation and Heritage Department, The Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and the Arts Council England, South East. The aim of the partnership is to enable a more cohesive strategic approach to the development of cultural services in the area served, and it reflects the County Council's commitment to partnership working with other authorities in areas of mutual interest. Although the Partnership Board as established relates to and builds on experience in the Basingstoke area, it provides a framework by which similar partnership working could be extended to other areas of the County.

2. In Basingstoke there have been many examples of effective joint working, notably the Milestones Museum; the proposed redevelopment of Basingstoke Library as a Discovery Centre; joint management arrangements for the Willis Museum; and support for the Haymarket Theatre. Both authorities provide substantial funding and support for these and other cultural organisations and it therefore makes sense to work together even more closely on joint project delivery, funding and strategy. The Partnership Board will establish a joint strategic vision covering all cultural services within its area, with membership drawn from the County Council; Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council; Arts Council England South East; and other regional funding agencies and partners. The initial task of the Board will be to map cultural provision and support; eliminate overlap and duplication; assess how well existing services meet the present and likely future needs of the area's residents. Progress would then be reviewed in September, 2007.

3. This report supports aims 1 and 5 of the corporate strategy by building effective partnership arrangements in the interests of the services provided or supported in the area.

                MARGARET SNAITH

                  Executive Member,

                Recreation and Heritage

4IR040406