Issue - meetings

1. That the Arts Strategy be approved for public consultation.

2. That the work of the arts and culture group formed in 2012 be noted.

3. That the Council supports the aspirations of partners for the arts.

The Leader welcomed Kerry Jones, Arts Officer from Keele University, Theresa Heskins, Artistic Director at the New Vic Theatre and David Matthews, Director of Learner Engagement and Partnerships and Newcastle under Lyme College to the meeting.

A report was submitted welcoming views from Cabinet on the multi agency Arts Strategy for Newcastle under Lyme that was to be the subject of a public consultation exercise.

The strategy acknowledged the importance of partnership working, addressing itself to the agencies, voluntary and professional organisations within the area who would work in partnership to achieve agreed community outcomes. This commitment would grow support for culture and the arts and by building on existing strengths and developing them to meet community priorities, partner organisations would meet the following challenges:

• Increase participation in the arts
• Support the growth and spread of cultural and creative activity
• Strengthen leadership and resources dedicated to these tasks.
• Measure the improved effectiveness of the arts and culture in tackling community issues

There was a strong desire to develop creative talent in the Borough and help to get Newcastle under Lyme recognised as a priority area for heritage lottery fund investment.

Miss Jones stated that the Strategy would be very beneficial to the University and should allow it to have a wider presence in the town centre. Miss Heskins also commended the Council for creating such a joined up strategy for the arts and stated that it had been a pleasure to be consulted. Miss Heskins stated that that the Borough needed to commit to the arts in order to achieve excellence and promote its achievements nationally though enhanced partnership working with groups such as the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Mr Matthews stated that through the partnership approach it was hoped that the new perfuming arts centre at the college would be able to continue to grow through securing funding and support and that additional students would then be attracted to the college. Mr Matthews also commented that harnessing the creative talent of young people in the Borough would help to promote growth in the town centre and that links needed to be forged between arts, culture and enterprise. So much in Newcastle under Lyme was unique and needed to be promoted which could only be achieved with all partners working together.

The Leader agreed that there was a great variety of unique artistic and cultural heritage in Newcastle under Lyme that needed to be harnessed and promoted.

The Portfolio Holder for Safer Communities also commended the strategy but requested that care be taken not to loose site of the art itself by focusing too much on the financial questions.

Resolved:      1. That the Arts Strategy be approved for public consultation.

2. That the work of the arts and culture group formed in 2012 be noted.

3. That the Council supports the aspirations of partners for the arts.