A steering group comprising Council officers,
and representatives from the creative and voluntary sector, has
been working towards the development of a Cultural Strategy for
Sefton.
A draft strategy document has been prepared using the evidence base
from consultation and engagement activity.
Further engagement between January to March 2024 is proposed to
develop an Action Plan, with objectives for delivery between 2024
and 2030. This will be co-produced between the Council and wider
representation from cultural stakeholders.
Once the Action Plan is completed any outstanding elements of the
strategy document will be finalised, leading to the publication of
a final strategy from which the activities will commence.
Decision type: Key
Reason Key: Community Impact;
Decision status: For Determination
Wards affected: (All Wards);
Decision due: 1 Feb 2024 by Cabinet
Lead member: Cabinet Member - Communities and Housing
Lead director: Executive Director
Department: Regeneration and Skills
Contact: Mark Snaylam Email: Mark.snaylam@sefton.gov.uk.
Consultation process
Consultation through meetings, one to one
sessions, online and targeted group activities
Consultees
To date, the development of the strategy has
included the following consultation & engagement
activity:
An online public survey via the Your Sefton Your Say portal –
444 responses. It should be noted that over half of the responses
came from the north of Sefton and there would be value to
continuing further engagement in the south of the borough.
Interviews with key stakeholders – 32 interviews including
Council representation, higher education, public sector
representatives, culture sector governance, funding bodies, and
local cultural organisations.
Culture and community sector workshops – 50 participants from
local community and cultural organisations. This cohort would
provide the basis for developing a recommended Cultural
Partnership, ensuring that Sefton artists and cultural groups are
engaged in our development activity towards Borough of Culture and
beyond.
Children & Young People engagement – engagement took
place with Sefton’s Young Advisors, and other youth groups
such as the Atkinson’s Young Curators, MYA SPACE and YKids.
Ongoing engagement with young people is recommended to ensure their
voice is included in our cultural planning.
Minority Voices – responses were received from MENCAP, Sefton
Access for Everyone (SAFE), Southport African Caribbean Heritage
Association (SACHA) and the Sefton Partnership for Older People. It
is proposed that further discussions are held to gain wider
participation in ongoing planning.