Cultural Policy
Regional Economic Strategy
Yorkshire Culture continues to work closely with key stakeholders to identify and plan value for money approaches to delivering the objectives of the RES (Regional Economic Strategy). Building on last year’s success of securing the lead for cultural development (in RES objective 6) we continue to provide the cultural lead in evidence based research, impact and partnership working projects.
The impact of the cultural sector is now recognised as a key driver of prosperity attracting knowledge workers, assisting in addressing key social and health problems and attracting and retaining graduates in the region. This newly recognised importance of culture can be summarized as representing five key drivers of the region’s economy.
- The Creative Economy
- Health, well-being, sports participation and building a 2012 legacy
- Tourism including events and festivals
- The importance of using the culture of local identity and distinctiveness in driving regeneration
- Historic and natural environment
Physical Activity Framework
We continue to work with key partners such as the Regional Public Health Group and Sport England drawing strategic linkages with the 2012 Games and Yorkshire Gold’s strategic objectives. Yorkshire Culture is also represented by its membership of the Public Health Executive Group which is responsible for overseeing the delivery of the Physical Activity Framework which looks at the potential for growth across a range of settings including schools, the community and the workplace. The framework represents a new strategic alliance between the health and cultural sectors to promote healthier and more active lifestyles and is a key driver in the achievement of Sport England’s targets of increasing participation by 1% per year. We have also employed a Regional Physical Activity Co-ordinator in a jointly funded post with partners Sport England and the Department of Health.
Regional Spatial Strategy
Yorkshire Culture have been a key partner in the development of this statutory regional strategy. In this strategy too, culture was recognised as a key area of importance. We have continued to provide advice and input into the next draft of the consultation of the RSS (Regional Spatial Strategy) and in our capacity as members of the Regional Executive Board of the Advisory Group. Culture has also been recognized as a key driver in urban and rural regeneration and provision has been made to support the emergence of an increasing number of creative businesses in the region.
Regional Rural Framework
Yorkshire Culture have been actively involved in shaping the region’s first Rural Framework, which places sustainable tourism as a key development priority. We have continued to work with the emergent Destination Management Organisations and other tourism partners and are a valued member of the Yorkshire and Humber Rural Affairs Forum.
Cultural and Creative Skills Agenda
Yorkshire Culture have brought together the Regional Learning & Skills Council and the emergent Sector Skills Council covering the sector (SkillsActive, Learning for Life, Skillset, Creative and Cultural Skills) and have actively promoted this agenda though our involvement with the Yorkshire Committee for the 2012 Games. Working with key partners such as the Learning and Skills Council we have continued to place skills at the heart of the 2012 agenda.
Local Government Improvement
Yorkshire Culture, with funding from Sport England Yorkshire, Arts Council Yorkshire and MLA Yorkshire have employed Keith Crawshaw in the post of Local Authority Improvement Manager. In this role Keith has been working with Local Authorities to advise on improvement issues around culture using the nationally recognised TAES (Towards an Excellent Service) Model.
We have also been working with IDEA, Local Government Yorkshire and Humber and the Department for Communities and Local Government to develop an accelerated learning improvement program for Culture Portfolio Holders, driving up leadership in the sector at a Local Authority level.
Yorkshire Culture continue to meet as part of the Regional Cultural Improvement Group to advise on Regional Commentaries, bringing together agencies for strategic dialogue and discussions around culture planning.
Yorkshire Culture also continue to provide input on the Regional Improvement Plan based on better understanding of how DCMS agencies can work with Local Government to drive local level improvement throughout and beyond the cultural sector. We are also continuing work to analyse and report on Comprehensive Performance Assessment results and continue to advise on draft Local Area Agreement submissions with Government Office Yorkshire and Humber.