Decision details

To adopt a Cultural Strategy for Dorset

Reason for the Decision

1.     At its Annual Meeting, Council decided to continue to meet virtually for all non-executive committees. The Leader of the Council also decided that Cabinet should continue to meet virtually until social distancing requirements had been removed. Therefore, the Portfolio Holder for Customer and Community Services has made this decision taking into account the views expressed by the wider cabinet membership.

2.      A cultural strategy helps 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.

Budget Implications

The Council currently provides £600,000 annual funding to a diverse range of arts, culture and heritage/museum organisations. This is a vital component in them leveraging external funding; helping to stimulating our local economy.

Between 2019 and 2021, nearly £7.5 million of revenue and strategic funding was invested by Arts Council South West. Similarly, in the last 5 years, over £87 million worth of capital and revenue funding has been externally invested into Dorset’s arts, heritage and culture sector. 

Decision of the Portfolio Holder for Customer and Community Services

1.     Adopt Dorset’s Cultural Strategy 2021-2026.

2.     Approve that officer’s 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.