Issue - meetings

Councillor Morris to provide an update. Report attached.

Councillor Morris, Cabinet Member Culture, Economy and Skills provided an overview of the Cultural Strategy. This is the first time Bury has produced a Cultural strategy and Bury has a great culture offer.

Councillor Vernon opened to questions from members of the Committee.

Councillor Birchmore asked questions regarding the cost and production of the Cultural Strategy brochure. In response Councillor Morris, Cabinet Member for Culture Economy and Skills advised that the Council worked with an external partner to produce the strategy which was inclusive of the production of the brochure. In addition, Councillor Morris asked if there are any concerns regarding disability accessibility to inform her and these can be amended to ensure full access in the strategies online presence.

Councillor Bernstein questioned if there is the inhouse resource to deliver the strategy and how will the effectiveness be measured. In response Councillor Morris advised the Council have secured around £0.5million from the UK prosperity fund which will contribute in part to the delivery of the strategy. Some of the funding will secure the inhouse capacity and the other part will go onto the events and planning. There are key performance indicators attached on how the funding is used, for example, a certain number of events must be delivered and they must reach a specific number of visitors.

Councillor Vernon, requested an update on the recommendation from last years Committee regarding exploring funding options for the Art Museum. Councillor Morris advised that the budget included a savings target related to Bury Art Museum and this is to be achieved through greater utilisation. It has been considered as a function room and advisor are looking at the space and market testing the offer of the Art Museum. Donna Ball, Executive Director of Operations advised that Cultural Services will be amalgamated more into other commercial services. There are fortnightly meetings with officers, three-weekly meetings with portfolio holders and milestones and progress are regularly monitored.

Councillor Birchmore questioned if funds are available for community led projects and to localise events in local community centre. In response Councillor Morris advised there is funding available but there are caveats.

Councillor Bernstein questioned how sport plays a part in the Culture Strategy.  Councillor Morris advised culture makes places pleasant places to live and agreed that structural internal changes are to bring leisure services closure to other services as it is important.

Councillor Pilkington raised questions regarding funding through other avenues and highlighted some key issues that arose in Ramsbottom post covid.

Councillor Birchmore questioned what the fourteen thousand pounds was spent on for the coronation’s celebrations. In response Councillor Morris advised it was spent on an art competition with local schools and artists supported this competition. Councillor Morris advised she will send across further information to Councillor Birchmore.

Councillor Thorpe questioned how the strategy balances the heritage of bury and the vibrant future. Councillor Morris advised heritage is a key aspect to Bury and a clear action plan of how this is developed needs to be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5

Report of the Cabinet Member for Culture and the Economy is attached.

This Strategy was considered by Overview and Scrutiny Committee at their meeting on 19 July 2022, where the following recommendation was agreed:

It was moved by Councillor Vernon and seconded by Councillor Jones, and it was agreed unanimously:

That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee voice their support for the Cultural Strategy and requests Cabinet to carry out further work on funding streams to support it. The Committee requested that Councillor Morris report back to it within the Municipal year.

Councillor Charlotte Morris, Cabinet Member for Culture and the Economy, presented the report regarding the development a borough-wide culture strategy which sustained innovation, supported economic development and contributed to a “wellness” model of community health and wellbeing. She thanked officers and Curated Place, as well as community groups and cultural partners who had co-produced the strategy. Councillor Morris confirmed the Overview and Scrutiny recommendation had been met, and confirmed that this was realistic but ambitious, and saw the borough working as a cultural ecosystem to bid for funding opportunities.

Members discussed the report, noting their approval and the importance of culture being acknowledged in the strategy as large, formal, more traditional activities as well as smaller, local events. Members also noted that the structure underpinning this would be important.

Decision:

Cabinet approved the Strategy and agreed implementation in accordance with the proposed action plan.

Reasons for the decision:

This strategy will provide a framework to maintain and enhance the profile of the borough’s culture offer and inform the wider economic development and Wellness strategies under development.

Other options considered and rejected:

The strategy has been subject to extensive review and development with partners over the last 12 months. Earlier work has been considered by the council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee whose comments have informed the final proposals.