Agenda item

To receive a report from the Executive Director for Place.

The Committee considered the Cultural Strategy for the Dorset Council area that had been developed in a collaborative way; one that gave stakeholders the opportunity to influence its development and shape the ambitions and priorities. The cultural strategy would sit within a new framework, one that would drive the vision and support the delivery.

The Portfolio Holder for Customer and Community Services advised members this would be an important document that would allow other organisations to utilise the agreements of the democratically elected body to chase further inward funding.  It was a working flexible document and highlighted that the Natural Environment was a hugely important part of the culture in Dorset.

Areas of discussion

The importance of publicising local events to encourage tourism. No mention of the Sturminster Newton Cheese Festival which attracted huge crowds.

With regards to the ‘Heritage’ paragraph confirmation which Sturminster was needed.

Concern the message of what the document was about had been lost.

Very ambitious document, concern how it would all be achieved within the timescale.

Specifics would evolve into an action plan over the 5 year duration.

A Health and Wellbeing Impact Assessment was needed before the final sign off.

The importance of drawing out the impacts across the Health Service.

Confusion how the strategy would be performance managed. The importance of getting all the partners on board to ensure all were delivering on the strategy was highlighted.

Welcome the involvement of young people and schools at an early stage.

Members were reminded that this Strategy was about Dorset Council helping other organisations collaborate and empowering other organisations to deliver the outcomes, 99% of which would be delivered by partners.

Decisions

1.    That the Dorset’s Cultural Strategy 2021-2026 be supported and recommended to Cabinet for adoption.

2.    That officers work with Arts Council England, the Arts Development Company and key stakeholders to develop a Cultural Compact type framework that will enable the work of the strategy to be fulfilled and effectively managed, and this be recommended to Cabinet for approval.

Reasons for Decisions

A cultural strategy helped to increase the opportunities of securing new investment into Dorset and maximise the leverage value of the council’s own investment in arts, heritage and culture. This cultural strategy will be the foundation on which Dorset Council will set its own funding criteria, ensuring that all grant recipients are contributing to the priorities and ambitions of the plan.

The strategy will also play a key role in the recovery of the sector. It will not only inform how Dorset Council will support the sector in the future, but it will set out a united direction for culture in our county for other stakeholders, funders, cross sector partners, Parish and Town Councils, organisations and individuals. A collaborative approach to cultural provision will directly benefit our communities, visitors, and the local economy.

A framework, in the shape of a Cultural Compact will nurture a cross sector partnership designed to support the local cultural sector and enhance its contribution to the life of that place. Such a collaboration will facilitate co-ordinated action to support the delivery of the ambitions within the strategy; sustain our cultural infrastructure, drive lasting social and economic benefits and leverage new resources.