The report of the Interim Strategic Director of Place (Document “P”) provides a briefing to members on the work in progress on development of a new 10-year cultural strategy for Bradford District.

“Culture is Our Plan”  is being developed by the Bradford Cultural Place Partnership, funded by Bradford Council and Arts Council England.

Recommended –

(1)       that the Committee notes the work to date and work still in progress on this strategic plan.

(2)       that the Committee gives its comment on the draft narrative, vision and strategic ambitions as part of ongoing consultation on the emerging plan.

(Nicola Greenan – 01274 431301)

The report of the Interim Strategic Director, Place (Document “P”) was presented to the Committee to provide a briefing to Members on the work in progress on the development of a new 10 year cultural strategy for the Bradford District.  The plan was initiated at the start of the first COVID lockdown in 2020 which needed to be more transparent.  COVID hampered engagement and the consultation process.  The proposal represented a 10 year commitment and would be a living document which would be checked and updated every 2 years to see what was working and to check the impact.  The approach to the project was unique and needed to be more agile, current and ambitious – for and of Bradford.  Research had been commissioned to support the bit for the City of Culture 2025.  The Plan needed to be owned by the creative sector in the District to enable cultural work to take place.  The plan proposed would still be followed regardless of the outcome of the City of Culture bid and had 10 ambitions.  Resources and opportunity needed to be spread across the District to make the best of what was available and that the sector needed to be sustainable.  There were lots of single person businesses and the aim was to provide opportunities to work in creative industries locally.

Work needed to take place to show young people and parents that creative jobs were sustainable and bids were being prepared for inclusion in international events and thought was being given to other creative events. 

The plan had targets set on deliverables and strategic ambitions which would last for 10 years.

Members were then given the opportunity to ask questions the details of which and the responses given, are as below:

·         A Member asked why Bradford’s cultural provision was not evenly distributed as stated in the report submitted and wanted to know what the gaps were and how they were being addressed.

·      In response, Officers advised that the educational offer varied and some schools were doing better than others as some had other priorities.  There was a strategy from the Arts Council to engage where there was a low level and a lack of opportunity to be involved in cultural activity.  A Creative People and Places Programme was in place (10 year initiative) and recognition was given to the Council’s own grant programmes, however these had not been reviewed for some years.  There would be a new set of grant programmes from April 2021 which would be more accessible.  There appeared to be correlation between lack of engagement and poverty which the Arts Council were focussed on addressing.

·         A Member asked for confirmation of the ‘LEAP’ project

·      Officers confirmed that it was a £3.5 million investment but it had a long way to go and was structure to try to work across the district, covering 6 wards in 4 years and 12 wards over 10 years in order to get real change and longevity.

·         If the bid for the City of Culture was not successful it was hoped that the 10 year plan would be continued.

·      In response, Officers advised that the City of Culture was at the mid point and there was a need to talk about legacy.  There was a plan in place to continue and ambitions remained in place.  Guidelines for the City of Culture bid would be followed and the application would be submitted before the end of 2021 – it was hoped that the outcome would be known by March 2022

Members made the following comments:

·         Members were pleased to see that cultural activities for the BAME community were on the map with a cultural provision being created and recognized

·         The response from Bradford to COVID was powerful and effective

·         Involvement for people at grass root levels with a hope that it would filter through to local communities and make better use of assets

·         Schools were a good place to develop and there was a need to enthuse young people, attract participants from a broader part of the community and explore the reasons for non-participation

·         Disappointment at the lack of funding with so much going on, so much talent which was not known about.  There was a need to raise awareness to celebrate ourselves. 

·         The report was a great one and it was a good time to launch it, especially in light of the COVID lockdown.

·         There was a need to concentrate on integrating young people

Resolved –

(1)  The Committee requests that progress against the targets in the Culture Plan, be presneted to the Committee in 12 months.

(2)  That a brieifng note relating to the Arts Council Strategy be circulated to members, when available.

Action – Strategic Director, Place