Meeting documents

To undertake pre-decision scrutiny on the Cultural Strategy for the Borough of Scarborough. Report of the Director (RB) (Reference : 21/150), attached. 

The Committee undertook pre-decision scrutiny on the Cultural Strategy for the Borough of Scarborough. (Report Reference 21/150). 

Janet Deacon, Tourism Manager, introduced the item and explained that the Council did not have a Cultural Strategy. Having a strategy would ensure the Council and its Partners had a roadmap that highlighted priority investments. Moreover, the strategy would demonstrate the Council’s commitment to culture and in so doing attract external funding. The Corporate Plan, the Visitor Economy Strategy, and the Town Master Plan all embraced the opportunities culture could bring such as economic development, wellbeing, and inclusivity.

Ms Deacon introduced the Council’s consultants at BEAM, Frances Smith and Richard King, whose roles were to ensure the Cultural Strategy was developed in line with existing and emerging strategies like those previously stated. They were commissioned by the Council’s partners, COAST. Ms Deacon continued, adding that there was currently no resource to support the delivery of the Strategy within the Council’s base budget, but that a detailed activity and resourcing plan would be developed to sit alongside the strategy which would identify any financial requirements to support delivery.

Ms Smith and Mr King provided to the Committee a detailed PowerPoint presentation on the Scarborough Borough Cultural Strategy.

Following the presentation, the Chair enquired into the timelines of the Cultural Strategy process, and whether Officers had liaised with organisations such as the Yorkshire Coast Business Improvement District (YCBID). Ms Deacon responded that they would be liaising with all partners including YCBID and highlighted that all organisations and communities had had the opportunity to comment and input into the strategy, Ms Deacon highlighted that it was important that all organisations including the YCBID were engaged so that there wasn’t any duplication of activity. Further, that in addition to the Cultural Development Officer, it was imperative that all organisations including all services within the Council looked at how further support could be given to strengthen coordination. Unlocking this would encourage economies of scale so that funding was used more efficiently across multiple organisations. In terms of this funding, Ms Deacon emphasised that bids for funding streams such as the Towns Fund greatly benefit from integrating cultural elements into the applications.

The Chair commented on the various cultures that exist within the Borough, and whether a cultural/tourist centre could be created to highlight this. Ms Deacon agreed that it was imperative that cultural organisations looked to promote each other more effectively. Having resource within the Council that could act to facilitate and co-ordinate activity would support this. Mr King added the importance of celebrating and promoting the assets the Borough already had that drew wide appeal.

A Member questioned how involved SBC have been with the YCBID. Ms Deacon explained that cooperation and support did exist and that the Tourism service were supportive and aware of the activity being delivered and did promote it, however having a Cultural Strategy which everybody could engage would strengthen marketing and communications.

Another Member requested clarity on the Cultural Development Officer’s role over concern regarding the scheduling of events. Ms Deacon elaborated that there were events that could or couldn’t be influenced, however with the coordinated approach that came with the cultural strategy, diary programming could be better addressed so that events were appropriately allocated and organisers were more aware of event clashes.

The Chair asked how individuals could be encouraged to experience and contribute to the many cultural assets that the Borough possessed. Ms Deacon remarked that once approved, a communication and engagement exercise would be needed to improve awareness, that cross organisational networks be formed, and an ambassador programme developed.

The Chair endorsed the draft Cultural Strategy as presented, and proposed that the Committee support the report, and that a progress update be returned to Committee in 6 months.

RESOLVED:-

(1) That the Tourism Manager and the BEAM Consultants be thanked for their work and the detailed presentation and taken note of the feedback and comments of the Committee on the draft strategy; and

(2) That Cabinet be informed that the draft Cultural Strategy, as now presented, be endorsed and supported