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Preparing/updating a cultural sstrategy  

The following elements need to be considered in preparing a strategy for the delivery of Cultural services;

Vision – Aims and Objectives – Overtly stated and linked to the community and council strategic objectives.

Facilities review- This may already have been done as part of your Councils PPG17 assessment (See Local strategic planning). Current provision will be reviewed against national standards and any gaps identified where these are felt to exist or where improvements to the quality of provision can be achieved. Because the cultural strategy deals with the whole picture facilities will include libraries, museums, theatres parks play areas as well as sports facilities, and will extend to private facilities and to those outside the council area, if used by your residents.

Consultation – This needs to happen with as many different groups as possible to ensure that the process is based on local needs (link here to routes to consultation) The process of writing the strategy will need to be inclusive if you are to get a good outcome and commitment on delivery.

Contextualisation -The strategy will need to support and complement other strategies both locally and nationally – See Culture/Sport family of strategies.  The roles of the constituent parties in delivery will need to be defined, so that the next section, Action plan, can be funded and delivered

Action Planning
The following example shows how an action plan needs to show how key actions link to strategic objectives, with time scales and the involvement of partners.  Actions need to reference back to the text in the strategy, where the justification for these is discussed.

Strategic Objective Healthy Living Key Tasks Time- scale Yr

Partners

CS1.1: To develop schemes to promote the benefits of outdoor exercise and activity1Provide measured, self guided routes in parks and countryside sites etc.S 2 DC (Leisure, Parks) Provide measured, self guided routes in parks and countryside sites etc. S 2 DC (Leisure, Parks)
  Promote walking and cycling for health network via leaflets, websites etc. S/M 2 PCT/ DC (Leisure, Countryside, Parks), ECC
CS1.2: To provide more information on healthy living, diet, smoking etc. in health and fitness facilities/leisure centres etc. Provide web page on culture and health with links S 2 DC (Leisure)
  Make health and fitness facilities attractive to those with flexible work patterns. S 3 DC (Leisure)/ Local Employers/ PCT
  Develop  links with PCT and BUZZ S 1 DC (Leisure)/PCT
CS1.3: To work with G.P.s and the local Primary Care Trusts to ensure that the value of culture to the well-being of the community is recognised within overall health strategies. LSP Health Partnership S 2 DC (Leisure)/PCT
  Consider extending G.P. referral to examine lifestyle issues S 2 DC (Leisure)/ PCT
  Consider annual seminar for PCT and GPs S 3 DC (Leisure)/PCT/ GP’s
  Monitor Govt. initiatives as a result of the “Game Plan” S/M 2 DC (Leisure)
CS1.4: To work with schools to combat the increase in obesity amongst children and young people Establish school-club links as part of art and sport outreach programmes S 1 DC (Leisure), Schools, Local clubs
  Establish school-club links as part of art and sport outreach programmes S 1 vDC (Leisure)/ Schools/ ECC/ PCT/ Big Lottery Fund/Children’s Fund
  Encourage more schools to seek “Sportsmark” or “Activemark” status S/M 1 DC(Leisure)/ Schools
  Encourage young people to attain a sports leadership award S/M 1 DC (Leisure)/ Colleges/

Source: Basildon District Council

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Useful links

Planning across boundaries
Local strategies
  Local strategy hierarchy
  Community strategies
  Culture/sport family
  Corporate plans/strategies
  Preparing/updating a cultural strategy

The process of local sport & recreation strategy preparation

Key Docs
ODPM publication Local Area Agreements- Guidance for Round 3 and Refresh of Rounds 1 and 2

Tool
Towards a Level Playing Field
Towards a level playing field - toolkit
Cabespace - open space strategy guidance
Big Lottery: Planning for Play