Issue - meetings

To consider the new council policy document, the Cultural Development Plan, for review and adoption.

Cllr Paul Roper, Cabinet Member for Economic and Cultural Sustainable Development, introduced the report, moved the officer recommendation and made the following points:

• Culture includes arts, libraries, museums, heritage sites, music, theatre, festivals, landscapes, natural spaces, and major sporting events.
• Culture is not elitist or ideological; it builds community cohesion, belonging, pride, and opens opportunities, particularly for disadvantaged groups.
• The administration aims to ensure that cultural enrichment reaches disadvantaged young people, young carers, families in poverty, and communities in deprived areas.
• The new Fashion Museum is one of the UK’s most significant cultural projects over the next five years.
• There will be continued investment in social value programmes at the Roman Baths and Victoria Art Gallery.
• The Discovery Care scheme is expanding, and we now have over 60,000 active cards.
• Libraries remain protected as inclusive cultural hubs, despite cuts in other local authorities.
• The Council provides indirect support for external cultural organisations such as capacity building, expertise and funding bids rather than direct grants.
• Long-term austerity pressures and past decision have reduced local cultural capacity.
• Culture is a key component of place-shaping and is one of the Council’s priorities in the Corporate Strategy.
• B&NES lacks an up?to?date cultural strategy, limiting access to external funding from organisations like WECA and Arts Council England.
• The Cultural Development Plan is a two?year foundation aiming to:
  • Re?orientate the Council’s cultural approach across departments.
  • Rebuild relationships with the cultural sector.
  • Make it easier for cultural activity to take place.
  • Continue evolving cultural delivery through Heritage Services, Libraries, and the Regeneration Team.
  • The time?limited approach reflects the need to rebuild trust, understand sector challenges, and prepare for a longer-term strategy.
• Adoption of the plan sets a clear path for supporting culture.

Cllr Mark Elliott seconded the motion and made the following points:

·  Culture is described as fundamental to identity, not a luxury, and a powerful lever for improving wellbeing, aspiration, community strength, and economic vitality.

·  Culture must be embedded across the Corporate Strategy, Economic Strategy, and Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy as a tool for reducing inequalities and building cohesive communities.

·  The district’s creative and visitor economies will benefit significantly from:

·  The strategy commits to enabling cultural activity across the whole district, not only in Bath—responding to community feedback from places such as Keynsham, Somer Valley, Twerton, and Radstock.  The Plan includes actions to simplify processes, remove barriers, and work collaboratively with partners to allow culture to thrive locally.

RESOLVED (unanimously):

To approve the Cultural Development Plan 2025-2027.