Agenda item
Cultural Strategy for Brent 2010 - 15
The committee will receive a presentation on the strategy and how it is being implemented from the chair of Brent’s Culture Sports and Learning Forum. The presentation will include information on how the partnership operates in terms of delivering the strategy and funding arrangements. A copy of the Cultural Strategy for Brent 2010 – 2015 is attached.
Minutes:
Rachel Evans (Chair of Brent Culture, Sport and Learning Forum, Fountain Studios) introduced herself to the committee and then played a short video to members about the cultural strategy. Copies of the cultural strategy were also circulated to Members. Rachel Evans then gave a presentation on this item and began by emphasising that it was a strategy for Brent and not Brent Council. The strategy sought to set out a vision rather than being a detailed plan and position statement and may change according to circumstances and changing priorities. The strategy had been drawn up by the Culture, Sport and Learning Forum which consisted of the council and its Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) partners, including Wembley Stadium, Wembley Arena, Tricycle Theatre, the Federation of Patidar Associations, Fountain Television Studios, the College of North West London, Park Royal Partnership, Wembley Plaza Hotel and Brent Arts Council. Rachel Evans then set out the vision and principles of the strategy, which were:-
· Enhancing cultural vibrancy
· Increasing participation
· Raising the profile of culture
· Encouraging young people to take part
· Developing public space
· Making the most of London 2012 and other major events
· Supporting the cultural economy
· Promoting health and well-being
Rachel Evans outlined some examples of the Forum’s initiatives, which included events such as the Healthy Walks Scheme and the Graffiti Partnership Board, which sought to promote positive use of graffiti as an art form. In order to deliver the strategy, the four objectives that needed to be achieved were communicating what is on offer, enabling people to engage and access culture, increase and improve locations, facilities and opportunities and maximise wider benefits of culture through strong cultural links.
At this point, the committee was split into two groups and went into a workshop session on how to achieve the four objectives of delivery. The two groups then fed back to each other on the outcome of their discussions.
Rachel Evans concluded the presentation by outlining some further ways of delivering the strategy, including the launch of the visitwembleyvisitbrent.com website on 19 April, a series of events celebrating Brent, production of regular e-bulletins promoting events in Brent, engaging with leaders to promote culture and raising the profile of culture. Further examples of events in Brent were highlighted and Rachel Evans encouraged Members to inform residents of these.
Members then considered this item further. Councillor H B Patel commented on the borough’s wide diversity and the various groups and venues which could be utilised to promote Brent’s culture. He suggested that the local residents should have been consulted about the strategy at an earlier stage and prior to large businesses. Councillor A Choudry also spoke of Brent’s ethnic make-up and the fact that some 35% of its population were from Indian sub-continent, whilst some schools had over 80% of pupils from one particular faith group. It was such aspects of the community that needed to be engaged more and Councillor A Choudry suggested that such schools be visited more often to help children feel a part of the wider culture of Brent. Councillor Hirani expressed concern that the Forum did not consist of any community, faith or voluntary sector organisations whose views should have been included to help shape the strategy. He also enquired if a prototype of the visitwembleyvisitbrent.com website could be viewed prior to the launch.
Councillor Clues (Vice-Chair in the Chair) felt that the strategy appeared to be based on a top-down view in that the larger organisations had been involved more in the consultation and at an earlier stage. He highlighted that there was also a vibrant cultural scene in Brent at a smaller, more localised scale and suggested that one of the objectives should be to bridge the gap between these levels of culture by engaging more between the two. Furthermore, there should not be a sole emphasis on focusing on Wembley as many other areas contributed significantly to Brent’s culture, such as Harlesden, Mapesbury and Kilburn.
In reply to the issues raised, Rachel Evans acknowledged the points raised in respect of consultation and stated that it had involved a variety of organisations as well as Forum members. One of the main purposes of the Forum was to initially ensure that there was business support to pursue the strategy which would help enable the engagement of wider organisations and residents in Brent. She highlighted some successful cultural events, such as the Afghan Theatre Festival at the Tricycle Theatre which had received praise from as far afield as the Pentagon in Washington DC. Rachel Evans acknowledged the need to engage more with all levels of culture in Brent and stated that the visitwembleyvisitbrent.com site had been awarded a prize by Visit London. The website highlighted a number of sites to visit in Brent and it was envisaged, for example, that Indians attending the Olympics may also be interested in visiting the Swaminayaran Hindu Temple. It was similarly acknowledged that there were other areas besides Wembley that would attract visitors. However, Wembley had been highlighted as it was well known internationally and would be used as the initial draw to attract visitors to the area who would then see what else Brent had to offer and communities were to be encouraged to publicise their attractions on the visitwembleyvisitbrent.com website. A prototype of the website was not available, but all Members were invited to attend the forthcoming launch. Rachel Evans explained that allowing other organisations to join the Forum may be considered in the future and consideration of what other organisations the Forum should be engaging with was also taking place.
Sarah Tanburn (Interim Assistant Director – Neighbourhood Services, Environment and Neighbourhood Services) added that membership to the Forum was not closed and that any group which put itself forward as a potential member would be welcomed providing it had the necessary capacity. She stated that all effort should be made for more organisations to participate in making the strategy work and a good starting point would be encourage them to attend the launch of the visitwembleyvisitbrent.com website.
Cathy Tyson (Assistant Director – Policy, Strategy, Partnerships and Improvement) confirmed that the LSP had been fully consulted with regard to the strategy which she stressed was about setting principles and objectives rather than producing an action plan and it would provide a framework upon which the strategy could be developed.
Supporting documents: