Agenda item

Report of the Group Director of Services.

The Cabinet Member with the Local Services Portfolio introduced the report of the Group Director of Services (previously circulated) requesting that consideration be given to the Darlington Cultural Strategy 2022/26 and associated action plan for 2022/23 (both also previously circulated).

The submitted report stated that the Darlington Cultural Strategy 2022/26 articulated the importance of culture and how it could contribute to the priorities of the Council Plan; it set out the vision and priorities for cultural activity which was focused on maximising the social and economic benefits that culture could bring to people across Darlington, including residents, visitors, and those working and investing in Darlington; and that it had been informed by research and discussion with Arts Council England, Tees Valley Combined Authority and Creative Darlington, with comments being received from partners including Darlington for Culture, Darlington Hippodrome, the Forum Music Studios and Theatre Hullabaloo.  The strategy included an annual action plan that would be monitored to track progress and refreshed annually to ensure there was a focus on achieving the vision and priorities set out in the strategy.

References were made to the financial implications of the strategy; outcome of consultation; and the feedback from the Communities and Local Services Scrutiny Committee, who had considered the draft Strategy.

RESOLVED -  That the Darlington Cultural Strategy for 2022/26 and the action plan for 2022/23, both as appended to the submitted report, be approved.

REASONS - To ensure that Darlington has a Cultural Strategy placing it in a stronger position to attract external funding and opportunities as they arise.?????