Agenda item

Purpose: to present the Cultural Heritage Strategy Delivery Plan (2021-2026) for approval, and to highlight that funding offers have been secured from partners, with agreements pending for the proposed West Berkshire Local Cultural Education Partnership (LCEP), a key project included in the Cultural Heritage Strategy Delivery Plan.

Resolved that Executive:

·         Approve the Cultural Heritage Strategy Delivery Plan (2021 – 2026) as included in Appendix C.

·         Agree the proposed process for monitoring, updating and reporting on the progress of the Plan detailed in section 5 of this report.

This decision is eligible to be ‘called-in’.  However, if the decision has not been ‘called-in’ by 5.00pm on 29 September 2022, then it will be implemented.

Councillor Howard Woollaston introduced the Cultural Heritage Strategy Delivery Plan for 2021-2026 (Agenda Item 9). The report reconfirmed the Council’s commitment to cultural and heritage issues whilst accepting that some of the timescales had to be less specific due to financial constraints. 

Councillor Jo Stewart commented that as mental health champion she was interested in a number of activities outlined within the report, particularly ‘Links to Thrive’ and how it would improve mental health in the district. 

Councillor Erik Pattenden agreed, however noted that many items in the delivery plan were subject to funding which implied that a number of the initiatives might not be implemented. Councillor Pattenden queried the proportion of items in the delivery plan which would proceed, as opposed to those that might be changed in scope or abandoned. Councillor Woollaston commented that the revenue budget was under pressure and was likely to be in the following year and consequently any spend would be a matter of prioritisation. Councillor Woollaston hoped that the ambitions detailed in the report would be achieved over time but could not set a specific timetable.

Councillor Lee Dillon suggested that the report was inward looking in that it referred to reaching out to the LGBTQ community but only referenced Newbury Pride.  Councillor Dillon suggested that residents in Calcot, Purley and Tilehurst would probably engage with Reading Pride much more than Newbury Pride. Councillor Dillon suggested that an exercise to determine what other groups existed around the perimeter of the district would be beneficial to identify what else was available to support residents. Councillor Woollaston acknowledged the comment and agreed to request that the team investigate further groups.

Councillor Vickers welcomed the plan but was concerned that the initiatives would fail to be implemented due to funding pressures.

Councillor Lynne Doherty acknowledged having discussed funding pressures with Councillor Woollaston and whether to bring forward the plan in the current economic climate, however noted that Councillor Woollaston had strongly defended the report suggesting that the Council should be ambitious and recognise that, whilst West Berkshire was an affluent area, there were inequalities and that many people would benefit from the plans who might otherwise not be able to afford to do so. 

Councillor Woollaston commented that one of the main purposes of the report was to create a framework in which to seek external funding.

Councillor Abbs suggested that combining the Council’s environmental strategy with other strategies in the past might have resulted in a focus on reducing energy bills, for example, to venues like Shaw House, which would have led to a more secure provision of venues needed within delivery of the plan. Councillor Woollaston agreed and reported that the team were actively looking at Shaw House and how additional income could be made.

Councillor Tom Marino thanked the officers for their work in creating the plan. 

RESOLVED that: Executive

·         Approve the Cultural Heritage Strategy Delivery Plan (2021 – 2026) as included in Appendix C.

·         Agree the proposed process for monitoring, updating and reporting on the progress of the Plan detailed in section 5 of the report.