Agenda item

RECOMMENDATIONS:

The Policy Committee is asked to

1.       Review and comment on the anticipated policy direction of the strategy, as outlined in 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.21 and 2.22 and the approach outlined to deliver the Winchester District Cultural Strategy.

Councillor Lucille Thompson, Cabinet Member for Business and Culture introduced the report, ref BHP041 which set out proposals for the Winchester District Cultural Strategy (available here). Simon Jutton, representing Arts Council England then addressed the committee and informed members of his role and of the work of Arts Council England, particularly its strategy “Let's Create” and the associated planned outcomes. Simon Jutton advised that Arts Council England would be supporting Winchester City Council throughout the development of its strategy.

Emalene Hickman, Culture and Creative Sector Development Officer and Andrew Gostelow, Service Lead - Economy & Tourism provided the committee with a detailed presentation regarding the development of the strategy. This included information regarding the local population, their cultural activity, local cultural organisations and event data, stakeholder engagement undertaken to date and the next steps. 

The committee was recommended to review and comment on the anticipated policy direction of the strategy, as outlined in paragraphs 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.21 and 2.22 of the report and the approach outlined to deliver the strategy.

The committee proceeded to ask questions and debate the report. In summary, the following matters were raised:

1. The relationship of sport as part of this strategy.
2. Improving access to leisure facilities as part of this strategy. 
3. That clarity is needed when references to Winchester are made and clarifying whether this is the city or the district. 
4. Improving how we could highlight and signpost our cultural facilities and historic activities, including those in rural areas of the district. 
5. Could members be provided with the detail behind the data and the graphs in order to cross-reference against their local knowledge of facilities and events?
6. Was there a lack of low-cost space for workshops or cultural activities and a lack of exhibition space in the district and was this feeding through into other council workstreams?
7. Whether an audit of resources, that could leverage budgets from various places and assist this strategy had been undertaken.
8. Clarification over "One Great Win" as part of this strategy. 
9. Clarifying the membership of the cultural stakeholder group.
10. Was there an aspiration to achieve cultural provision or activity within 15 minutes of residences?
11. A member’s prior written question was accepted, which requested elaboration on how the new strategy intended to support the council's aim of going greener faster.

These points were responded to by Councillor Thompson, Cabinet Member for Business & Culture, Simon Jutton, Arts Council England, Andrew Gostelow, Service Lead - Economy & Tourism, Emalene Hickman, Culture and Creative Sector Development Officer accordingly and were noted by Councillor Thompson, Cabinet Member for Business and Culture.

The Chairperson noted that a wide range of comments was made during the committee’s discussion and drew particular attention to the following points.

1.    There was some concern regarding the available resource for delivering the strategy and that collaboration and leverage would be necessary.

2.    The committee welcomed the use of markers and information boards throughout the district and advocated collaboration with Parish councils for their introduction.

3.    The committee believed that the provision of spaces for the many various activities covered by the strategy was a priority.

RESOLVED:

1.    That members be provided with the data as per point five above.

2.    That the cabinet member and officers note the comments of the committee.