Archived decisions

Hampshire County Council

Culture and Communities Policy Review Committee Item 6

12 April 2007

Review of the Cultural Strategy

Report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage

Contact: Stuart Dorward, ext: 6110 e-mail: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 This report outlines the process for reviewing the Cultural Strategy and the key themes for the revised Strategy. It invites members to consider how they wish to be involved in the review.

2. Background

2.1 "Enjoying Hampshire", the current Cultural Strategy1, was approved as a core strategic document of the County Council in June 2003 following an extensive consultation exercise earlier in the year. It provides a comprehensive review of the cultural landscape of Hampshire and sets out a series of actions in support of following key aims:

    · stewardship of the county's cultural heritage

    · promoting access, inclusion and participation

    · supporting lifelong learning

    · achieving economic benefits

    · reinforcing sense of place and community identity.

2.2 Over the last four years the strategy has formed the basis of the activities of the Recreation and Heritage services of the County Council, including their work with partners in the public, private and voluntary sectors. However, the following significant developments are beginning to have a major influence on the future direction of cultural services in the county:

    · the approval of a new Corporate Strategy and key priorities for the County Council

    · the signing of the first Local Area Agreement for the county

    · the publication of the "Strong and Prosperous Communities" White Paper

    · the development of spatial and economic strategies at regional level.

2.3 For all of these reasons it is now appropriate to review and revise the Cultural Strategy.

3. Themes of the Revised Cultural Strategy

3.1 Work is currently in hand on a consultation draft of a revised strategy. This will cover the following key themes:

    · what is culture? - an exploration of the definitions and concepts of culture

    · how culture is valued - a consideration of the key concepts of cultural value and what we know about how culture is valued in Hampshire

    · why do we need a strategy? - a survey of Hampshire's contemporary cultural geography and the demographic, economic and social challenges it faces

    · cultural entitlement - a proposal that people in Hampshire should have a right to enjoy high quality cultural activities

    · the importance of forming a wider cultural partnership for the county to deliver this entitlement

    · action plans.

4. Consultation Process

4.1 The intention is to publish a consultation draft of the revised strategy later in the month. There will then be a period of consultation from May and July with the following key stakeholders:

    · County Council Members and Senior Officers

    · District and City Council Members and Senior Officers

    · DCMS agencies (Arts Council, Sport England, MLA etc.)

    · LSP members

    · Cultural sector organisations (private and voluntary sectors).

4.2 A final draft would be presented to the Executive Member - Recreation and Heritage for approval in September.

5. Involvement of this Committee

5.1 The proposed consultation timetable would allow this Committee to discuss he draft strategy at its meeting on 19 July. However, because of the significance of the strategy, the Committee may wish to consider whether other opportunities should be made available for members to debate and comment on the consultation draft.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background documents

The following documents discuss facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and have been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB: the list excludes:

1. Published works

2. Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

"Enjoying Hampshire" Recreation and Heritage, Mottisfont Court