Issue - meetings

Report of the Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Culture, Tourism and Wellbeing

RESOLVED THAT:

1.                  the final culture strategy, attached at Appendix 2, be endorsed;

2.                  the council will work alongside partners on the Cheltenham Culture Board to develop a robust 12-month action plan;

3.                  it be noted that the Borough Council will be involved in working with partners to deliver the outcomes in the action plan and is providing support in the form of one-off funding for a co-ordinator, but that the Cheltenham Culture Board is a distinct entity in itself.

The Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Culture, Tourism and Wellbeing said this was a very positive report, bringing together the many different organisations which contribute to cultural life across the town in a cultural strategy based on partnership and collaboration.  Working with the digital sector, it will drive the visitor economy and contribute to the council’s net zero goals, and while CBC is not responsible for delivering the strategy, it is at the centre of many aspects.  He thanked officers, in particular Richard Gibson, for their continued support in developing the strategy, which would be monitored on an annual basis through Overview and Scrutiny, so ensuring Member involvement.  He also thanked Ali Mawle, the Chair of Cheltenham Culture Board, and the Cabinet Member for Housing, who had started the process in her previous role, and looked forward to the positive impact the strategy will have.  

The Cabinet Member for Housing said it had been a joy working with the Culture Board in her previous role, which represented a broad range of cultural activities across the borough.  The consultation had resulted in an impressive 950 responses, and although Cheltenham is known as the festivals town, there are still gaps for improvement – and the culture strategy will provide a guide to where we can do better, collectively.

The Leader added that everyone knows how important culture is in Cheltenham, and the different organisations in the Culture Board will streamline and lead from grass roots up to improve and inspire. They are the right people to lead the process, but it is important for the council to support their ambitions, as a facilitator rather than a deliverer. Culture strategy isn’t just about the arts, painting, and theatre, but also about leisure time, sports and recreation, and it important that the people involved are from a diverse range of backgrounds.

She invited Members to vote, where it was unanimously

RESOLVED THAT:

1.            the final culture strategy, attached at Appendix 2, be endorsed;

2.            the council will work alongside partners on the Cheltenham Culture Board to develop a robust 12-month action plan;

3.            it be noted that the Borough Council will be involved in working with partners to deliver the outcomes in the action plan and is providing support in the form of one-off funding for a co-ordinator, but that the Cheltenham Culture Board is a distinct entity in itself.