Agenda item

This report updates Members on the Council’s cultural activities, and given the requirements to refresh the Council’s Cultural Strategy, reflects on progress made over the last 4 years, considering potential areas of focus for the next 5 years. 

Discussion: 

The Deputy Director, Customer Contact, Leisure, Culture, Democracy and Governance gave a presentation updating on progress made and setting out possible future proposals for the next iteration of the Cultural Strategy, based on the four strategic priorities within the current Cultural Strategy.

Stewardship

Members were advised of the successful funding bid for the renovation and conservation of Eastgate House, and the Opening Doors project at the Guildhall Museum, which had attracted over 70,000 visitors last year. Green Flag accreditation had been secured at 5 sites in Medway and significant investment secured in play areas. The importance of volunteers in delivering the Cultural Strategy was also stressed.

Engagement

Medway’s enhanced festival offer was set out with over 30 days of free festivals, this was more than anywhere else in the South East outside London. Details of the Community Hubs that provided a gateway to Council services was provided. It was also noted that Medway’s creative talent had been celebrated through the Culture and Design Awards in 2010 and 2012.

Economic Prosperity

It noted that a draft Tourism Strategy had been developed and would be launched in May 2014. This reflected the importance of the tourism offer to the local economy, which was worth £286m pa, supporting over 6,000 jobs. The Deputy Director highlighted the Explore Medway Tourism Bus, Christmas markets and the establishment of creative workspaces in support of the Creative Sector.

Health and Wellbeing

The Committee was advised that Medway Park had received over 750,000 visits in 2013 and it was noted that the Council had hosted a number of national and international events, including the Modern Pentathlon World and European Cups, British Transplant Games and the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup.The success of the Medway Big Splash, a new mass participation swimming event that took place for the first time in January 2014, was highlighted.

It was also reported that the strategy had envisaged a Year of Celebration in 2012, which had been very successfully delivered.

The Deputy Director then advised Members of the next iteration of the Cultural Strategy for 2014 – 2019. It was noted that it was proposed to retain the existing four strategic priorities, which underpinned establishing Medway as a destination for Culture, Heritage, Sport and Tourism. Early proposals for each of the priorities were set out.

Members then asked questions and commented on the existing and emerging Cultural Strategies. This included:

·                    comment and praise for a number of events held in Medway, including the Medway Mela at Gillingham Park and Armed Forces Day.

·                    the Council’s involvement in a number of sports, including Korfball and rugby, and opportunities to build on this with other events, such as running races.

·                    support for encouraging greater use of the river.

·                    the creation of a continuous footpath and cycle path on the southern side of the river.

·                    the Medway Big Ride - a new mass participation event in 2014 designed to encourage the people of Medway to cycle.

·                    the importance of engaging with ward councillors.

·                    the current and future marketing and promotion of events at The Central and The Brook theatres, such as through the universities and MidKent College.

·                    the continued aspiration to have a Waterfront Arts Complex.

·                    opportunities to explore corporate sponsorship of our festival offer.

·                    the opportunity to use space within the new Rochester Railway Station to showcase Medway’s cultural offer.

Decision:

The Committee endorsed the progress made in delivering Medway’s cultural activities and supported the emerging thinking around Medway’s Cultural Strategy 2014-2019. In doing so the Committee stressed the importance of officers ensuring that ward councillors were informed when events were happening within their wards.