Warwickshire County Council’s Cabinet has approved recommendations to implement a new Heritage and Culture Strategy for 2020 - 2025.There is strong evidence that a flourishing heritage and cultur...
Warwickshire County Council’s Cabinet has approved recommendations to implement a new Heritage and Culture Strategy for 2020 - 2025.
There is strong evidence that a flourishing heritage and culture sector makes a significant contribution not only to the local economy but to the health and wellbeing of residents. The County Council is spearheading the strategy which is the result of consultation with around 80 individuals and organisations involved in arts and culture across the county.
An online survey, and an all-day conference this summer meant contributions to the strategy came from a wide range of organisations – from Alcester Heritage Trust, Nuneaton Arts Council, and the Playbox Theatre, to Shakespeare’s England, Warwickshire Industrial Archaeology Society and Warwickshire Pride, as well as district and borough councils.
The first stage of the of the strategy is to identify a model of partnership working to deliver the strategy’s priorities on its three main themes: health and wellbeing; sense of place; and economic vibrancy.
The Heritage and Culture sector in Warwickshire has an international profile, predominantly driven by the ‘brand’ of Shakespeare. Tourism is worth just over £1.1 billion to the Warwickshire economy supporting some 20,300 jobs every year. As a result, the region is in a strong position to capitalise on the huge opportunities presented by Coventry City of Culture 2021, and Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022.
The challenges facing Warwickshire mirror those of the nation as a whole - to address the north-south divide and rural isolation, and to ‘level the playing field’ for all citizens, regardless of where they live.
There is also the challenge of an ageing population. Recent research from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport reveals the vital importance of culture and sport to our physical and mental health. Access to heritage and culture widens horizons, enriches lives, and engenders a sense of belonging, as well as reducing demand for health and social care services.
The new Heritage and Culture Strategy will contribute on all these fronts and be managed by the County Council, working collaboratively with partners and stakeholders.
All stakeholders will work on an action plan to progress the strategy over the next five years. Workshops will be organised around the county to gather more thoughts and ideas from residents and partners. The aim is to finalise the action plan by the end of February next year.
Rob Powell, Strategic Director for Resources, Warwickshire County Council says:
“Warwickshire has a rich heritage and culture, stretching back over centuries. The county is rightly proud of its history, and the collective endeavours and accomplishments of previous generations of Warwickshire citizens. Now we have developed a strategic plan for the future, which both builds on past achievements and delivers on present day priorities.
“We are a well-connected county, with a wealth of historic and natural assets that inspire and support the growing diversification of our economy and communities. Our county is already a great place to live, work - and do business. Warwickshire also has a successful and growing festival scene encompassing music, performing and visual art, literature and food. The challenge is to make it even better. I’d like to thank the many heritage and culture organisations and practitioners who contributed their ideas and expertise to this strategy. Together we have drawn up an ambitious blueprint for the heritage and culture sector in Warwickshire, based on new levels of co-operation and joint working towards shared goals.”