Culture and Leisure Operational Plan 2006 to 2007 - In a Nutshell

2006/07 will be a challenging year for Culture and Leisure.For the first time in a decade the Service is faced with budget reductions as a consequence of a very difficult budget settlement for the County Council. Equally there will be new opportunities. Culture and Leisure has a well established interdisciplinary ethos focusing on people and communities.This will become increasingly important, with the Service central to the new corporate directorate for Adult and Community Services, whilst seeking to build on the County Council's established 'four star' CPA Assessment.'.

Change naturally is a part of life, but we can rest assured that the interpretation of culture offered by a Durham resident in 2002 still holds true. Culture, it was suggested, is “all embracing - culture can mean reading a book, cheering on the lads, going to the theatre, growing leeks, listening to Verdi or Van Halen, making a proggy mat, walking the Dales, playing sport…”

This summary continues the tradition of encapsulating the Culture and Leisure Operational Plan, 'In a Nutshell'.

Context

The County Council has reviewed its Medium Term Improvement Priorities and these will direct corporate endeavours for three years through to 2008/09. In seeking to maintain its 'four star status' and deliver the County Council's mission, 'To make County Durham the best place in which to live, work and bring up a family', it has been determined the five corporate aims are:

To promote strong, healthy and safe communities.
To build a strong economy.
To look after the environment.
To develop lifelong learning.
To ensure effective corporate leadership.

These aims are underpinned by a set of values:

All people.
Excellence.
Our attractive County.
Difference.
High aspirations.
Working with others.
The participation of everyone.

Finally, six key areas have been identified as priority areas for improvement:

Protecting and supporting vulnerable children.
Improving educational attainment/achievement.
Protecting/supporting vulnerable adults.
Improving health.
Promoting economic well-being.
Quality of the Environment.

Key Influences

The Best Value Improvement Plan of 2002, where Cultural Services were assessed as 'good with promising prospects', remains pivotal to our work. Many of the 52 tasks outlined under the 8 key actions have been delivered, but we need to continue addressing:

The development of the County Durham Cultural Strategy launched in December 2002.
The delivery of improved marketing and communication of services.
The development of partnership strategies.
Improving access.
Integrating services to support lifelong learning, social inclusion,health and safety.
Step change in response to identified community need and local choice.
Effective corporate and performance management.

These issues are consistent with other key drivers:

The County Durham Local Area Agreement.
Revisions to the CPA Performance Management Framework, including stakeholder commentaries, by which we will be assessed later in the year.
As well as statutory Public Library Standards, the newly developed Public Library Impact Measures.
Key policy statements from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister regarding localisation, choice and personalisation of services.
DCMS statements relating to combating social exclusion and its strategy for libraries, contained in 'Framework for the Future'.
The work of domain specific non departmental public bodies,particularly Arts Council, English Heritage, Museums, Libraries and Archives Council, and Sport England.
The regional dimension and work of the RDA, Culture North East, Learning and Skills Council and Regional Assembly.

Culture and Leisure 2006/07

Taking the various drivers into account, the Operational Plan sets out six key activity areas:

Community and Civic Values

To maximise the use of Culture and Leisure services in assisting communities and individuals to gain more influence over issues which affect their lives.

Tasks

(a) Ensure services are physically and intellectually accessible to all, consistent with the Equality Standard.

(b) Deliver high quality mediated information and advice services in partnership with appropriate agencies.

(d) Facilitate, through displays and events, increased understanding and awareness of international, national and local issues.

Trends

Information and advice enquiries increased by a further 8% in 05/06 and now total over 990,000.
Investing in Children accredited venues have increased from 7 to 32 in three years.
Formal contacts with 94 town and parish councils were maintained.
In association with Chester-le-Street and Durham PCT a ‘Books on
Prescription’ Service was introduced in 05/06.

Plans

The new library service at Coundon sharing accommodation with Health Centre and Surestart will open in late summer.
A new community resource centre/library will be opening in 2007, at Langley Park, as should the Newton Aycliffe Library/Health Centre development.
Subject to ODPM funding being confirmed, the feasibility of Libraries and Co-ops combining in small communities will be investigated.
Further planning will be undertaken in respect of new facilities in Stanley and Seaham, as part of 'one stop' public service points.

The Historic Estate

To care for, develop and make available our historic resources to the people of County Durham and visitors to the area.

Tasks

(a) Collect, conserve and document exhibits, materials and artefacts, archives and records that relate to the past, present and future of County Durham.

(b) Make arrangements for the enjoyment and study of exhibits, materials, artefacts, archives and records, and the built heritage through displays, interpretation and advice.

(c) Provide an integrated archaeological and environmental interpretation service that respects the historic and natural environment whilst supporting sensitive and sustainable development.

(d) Provide a comprehensive local studies resource accessible to residents, visitors, and those engaged in educational research.

Trends

Archaeological sites recorded on the Sites and Monuments Record increased from 6,800 to 8,100.
The Community Heritage Service brokered partnerships ranging from local banner groups to village interpretation and is highly regarded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Though web hits for the Durham Record Office increased from 354,000 to 600,000 physical visits remained constant.
Visits to DLI, Killhope and Binchester increased year on year.

Plans

Arrangements for the opening of Hardwick Park in the summer of 2006 will be finalised.
A brief will be prepared for the proposed new Durham Studies Centre comprising Reocrd Office, Archaeology Galleries and Family history Services.
A full programme of events to mark the end of World Ward Two will be delivered countywide.
The Collections Management Strategy should be completed.

Content Development and Digitisation

To create and develop content and increase electronic access for the people of County Durham and visitors.

Tasks

(a) Maintain and develop the County Council website and the County Durham Books imprint.

(b) Provide online access to Government services and information services provided by public, private and voluntary sector agencies.

(d) Work with other agencies on the production of interpretation material that supports information and advice services.

Trends

The website attracted over 1.6million unique users, an increase of 17% on the previous year.
Library Online transactions and catalogue searches increased from 231,000 to over 264,000 year on year.
'Images of the Soldier' and the first annual Durham Archaeology journal were published. Two new titles in the Durham Memories series were published, and that for Consett had to be reprinted, due to demand, after just four weeks!
A number of packages in support of the curriculum were developed through Durham Learning Resources and 'Coalmining Oral History',a CD-Rom arising from the Durham Miner project was produced.

Plans

Following work in respect of Parish Registers Online, further digitisation of County Records will be progressed.
The Website will be reviewed and redeveloped in respect of content, structure and navigation.
The Service, in association with North East Connects will explore the feasibility of a regional smartcard based on library membership cards.
Registered library users will be able to access from their own home as an addition to Library Online, several electronic databases including Encyclopaedia Britannica, Dictionary of National Biography and Groves Directory of Music, through Reference Online.

Books, Reading and Learning

To encourage people to follow a path of lifelong learning using formal and informal activities.

Tasks

(a) Provide and develop opportunities for individuals, families and communities to engage in lifelong learning and Skills for Life programmes.

(b) Develop cultural intiatives to support and strengthen the delivery of the National Curriculum and, in particular, Key Stage 4.

(d) Provide loan collections embracing recorded knowledge and ideas in all formats, taking account of the Authority's responsibilities to promote social, racial and community harmony.

Trends

Individual booked sessions on the 310 public access terminals increased year on year by 18% to 549,636.
Loans of material for home use remained stable at 3.6 million with over 42 items being borrowed every hour.
Items added to stock totalled 117,000, a similar level to 04/05.
At March 2006 there were 258,112 registered library borrowers,an increase of 6% since 2001.

Plans

Skills for Life accreditation will continue at all 38 libraries in association with the Learning and Skills Council.
Structured learning on subjects ranging from family history to European Computer Driving Licence Training will be programmed at Clayport Library, museums and the Record Office.
Further developments in early years activities will be progressed in association with Childrens Centres, Bookstart and the Summer Reading Challenge.
Reader development wok will continue as a priority with the encouragement of reading groups and literacy events.

5 Creative Opportunity

To enable individuals to take part in creative activities and support creative industries.

Tasks

(a) Encourage and support the development of cultural and creative industries as part of the knowledge economy.

(b) Encourage and support creative involvement by County Durham residents paying particular attention to young people and those with special needs.

(d) Develop a programme of exhibitions, events and activities, that reflects cultural diversity.

Trends

The third Art in the Park programme attracted 26 schools, 5 community groups, and approaching 1,000 individuals to workshops and educational programmes.
The brass band infrastructure supported by Culture and Leisure remains stable, with 26 operating in the County.
Events in local communities totalled over 15,000 and attracted attendance of 197,000, an increase of 8%.
Major festivals - Durham Litfest, Stanley Blues, Durham Gathering, and Miners Gala all attracted increased numbers of visitors.

Plans

A Festival of World Culture in association with the Newcastle/Gateshead Initiative will be organised.
Externally funded feasibility studies on the Durham Sky Bowl project, will be completed.
Through the County Durham Strategic Arts Group, reviews of work with young people and festivals will be completed.
Touring arts programmes, including storytelling, drama and exhibitions will be progressed, focusing on rural areas.

6 Capacity Building and the Corporate Framework

To build capacity within Culture and Leisure that will improve the quality of services and deliver transformational change.

Tasks

(a) Work in partnership with local, regional and national agencies, to maximise resources and expertise.

(b) Care for, develop and maintain buildings, systems and equipment required to deliver services, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation.

(d) Plan for the future in the light of local needs and broader regional and national strategies, performance managing service delivery.

Trends

15 further buildings were improved to DDA compliance, bringing the total for Culture and Leisure to 35.
Initiatives involving over 25 strategic partners were progressed including work with the Legal Services Commission, Health Authority and Learning and Skills Council.
The Service was successfully re-assessed for Investors in People through the corporate inspection.
Over 90% of staff have completed diversity training.

Plans

The budget savings required of the Service will be implemented in as sensitive a way possible to service users.
Work will continue through the Cultural Partnership to ensure effective joint working including input into the regional plans for Olympics engagement.
Performance Management systems will continue to be reviewed, taking into account CPA.
The Service will become fully integrated within the new Adult and Community Services Corporate Directorate.

Conclusion

A year of change is in prospect for Culture and Leisure and the County Council as a whole. However, the Service is well placed to positively embrace change and ensure access to knowledge, ideas and opportunity, remain central to the Authority's mission.Notwithstanding many achievements, reflected by public feedback, external assessment and national awards, Culture and Leisure will continue to focus on improving choice and delivering localised services.

Patrick Conway
Director, Culture and Leisure.
April 2006

You may download a copy of the summary by clicking on the link below.
PDF Icon In a Nutshell.pdf (2 pages, 161kb)
Publication Date: October 2006

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