Issue - meetings

Report of the Director for Culture, Strategy and Engagement. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for  Culture and Leisure.

To develop a Culture Strategy for the borough. Our vision is to build strong and meaningful partnerships with local communities and wider partners so that all residents and visitors are benefiting from the social and economic impact of a vibrant cultural and creative Haringey.

The Leader introduced the report which sought approval of the Arts & Culture Strategy.

The Leader of the Council outlined the following:

-       Being awarded the status of London Borough of Culture in 2027 marked an exciting new chapter for Haringey.

-       This was the first Culture Strategy being developed in over two decades, outlining the borough aims, ambitions, and objectives in a particularly timely manner.

-       The vision was to foster a new approach to Haringey’s culture and creativity, ensuring that everyone in the Borough can participate in and benefit from cultural activities.

-       A key focus of the strategy was collaboration, and the aim was to develop an action plan that will guide efforts and strengthen partnerships across the community.

-       Commitment to nurturing and retaining homegrown talent, making Haringey a vibrant hub for creatives. Additionally, aim to expand audiences for civic events, ensuring that they resonate with all residents.

-       Whilst preparing for the London Borough of Culture in 2027, goals included inspiring residents, celebrating borough’s rich heritage, enabling individuals to see themselves reflected in borough events, and fostering connections between communities. Ultimately, aspiring to create a long-lasting legacy for culture in the Borough.

Following questions from Cllr Hakata and Cllr Barnes, the following information was shared.

-       In response to delivery of the strategy in the backdrop of financial constraints and maximising output, this was a partnership orientated plan, and the delivery plan would be delivered by partners and also by involving residents. There were already cultural activities organised and contributed to by community groups and partner and agencies. Therefore, the Council were building on the already rich cultural activity that went on in the borough. The Council were envisaging that the joint work with partners, would hopefully enable greater access to external funding and this would be in addition to the £1.3million funding already obtained from being awarded Borough of Culture. There was also opportunity to access heritage funding and other sources of funding as well as the opportunity to seek sponsorship. Therefore, drawing in extra resources was part of the sustainable future for Culture Strategy going forward.

-       In relation to the recognition of the Borough of Culture being measured, this would be recognised though the level of support that activities and events attract which was already substantial. This was further also already apparent with the activities  set out in the strategy and the variety of venues in the borough working with the Council. The Council would also be considering the locations that people were coming from to the activities in the borough and mapping this to inform the Borough of Culture events and activities. In addition, ensuring activities were for a wide range of groups such as young people and also getting them involved in this early planning work on events and initiatives.

-       In relation to the contention of whether there would be a genuinely co -designed Libraries Strategy, the Leader of the Council put on the record that the Council had taken  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34