Issue - meetings

Report of Assistant Director Wellbeing and Housing

Purpose of report

A new cultural strategy for Banbury and an exploration of the economic impact of investment in the cultural sector offer a perspective on the importance of cultural organisations for the district. This report highlights the connection between the council’s wellbeing strategy, the Banbury Area Priority Plan and the development of coordinated investment.

Recommendations

The meeting resolves:

1.1           To endorse Made in Banbury, a cultural strategy for the Town.

1.2           To acknowledge the impact investment in arts and culture can have on the local economy.

1.3           To support the Banbury Quays Consortium in their coordination of marketing cultural offers to audiences under a shared ‘Made in Banbury’ approach across the district with a grant of £3000 from existing funding allocations for the next two years.

1.4           To monitor the implementation and delivery of the action plan appended.

1.5           Given the independent nature of the cultural strategy, the area oversight groups are to consider culture in their placemaking plans. Ensuring the arts organisations of the district contribute to the cultural development of the district overall.

Resolved

(1)            That Made in Banbury, a cultural strategy for the Town, be endorsed.

(2)            That the impact investment in arts and culture can have on the local economy be acknowledged.

(3)            That the Banbury Quays Consortium be supported in their coordination of marketing cultural offers to audiences under a shared ‘Made in Banbury’ approach across the district with a grant of £3000 from existing funding allocations for each of the next two years.

(4)            That the implementation and delivery of the action plan be monitored.

(5)            That, given the independent nature of the cultural strategy, the area oversight groups be asked to consider culture in their placemaking plans, ensuring the arts organisations of the district contribute to the cultural development of the district overall.

The Assistant Director Wellbeing and Housing submitted a report which presented a new cultural strategy for Banbury and an exploration of the economic impact of investment in the cultural sector offer a perspective on the importance of cultural organisations for the district. This report highlighted the connection between the council’s wellbeing strategy, the Banbury Area Priority Plan and the development of coordinated investment.

Resolved

(1)          That Made in Banbury, a cultural strategy for the Town, be endorsed.

(2)          That the impact investment in arts and culture can have on the local economy be acknowledged.

(3)          That the Banbury Quays Consortium be supported in their coordination of marketing cultural offers to audiences under a shared ‘Made in Banbury’ approach across the district with a grant of £3000 from existing funding allocations for each of the next two years.

(4)          That the implementation and delivery of the action plan be monitored.

(5)          That, given the independent nature of the cultural strategy, the area oversight groups be asked to consider culture in their placemaking plans, ensuring the arts organisations of the district contribute to the cultural development of the district overall.

Reasons

Culture has an important role to play in the delivery of successful placemaking strategies and in the economic health of our Towns.  In endorsing the work of the sector through these plans and providing an enabling and supportive policy context for the development of place, activity and employment, Cherwell District Council can effect change. The quality of life local residents enjoy is positively impacted by a vibrant cultural sector and the range of recommendations will help support the sectors efforts to provide a range of opportunities for audiences and residents wanting to pursue a career in the creative industries.

Alternative options

Option 1: Not endorse Made in Banbury and the consequent actions

This has been rejected as the strategy and action plan support the published policies of the Council and the small financial contribution can be achieved from existing funding over the next two years.