The aim of the event was to focus on the way in which culture can contribute to the achievement of community planning objectives in the fields of regeneration, health, learning, community engagement and education and skills.
The event attracted 130 delegates, including representatives from Local Strategic Partnerships (LSPs) and local authority leisure and cultural services officers from across the region.
The day comprised presentations from keynote speakers from the cultural and sporting sectors and four workshops on Culture and Health, Culture and Learning, Culture and Local Identity and Culture and the Physical Environment.
Keynote speakers included:
- Pam Alexander, Chief Executive of the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), who opened the event. Pam explained that SEEDA puts culture at the heart of its objectives, nationally, regionally and in local areas.
- Cheryl Coppell, Chief Executive of Slough Borough Council, spoke about Slough’s focus on culture in its community planning process - including its major regeneration scheme, 'The Heart of Slough'.
- Fiona Mactaggart - MP for Slough and Home Office Minister. Fiona spoke about the diverse ethnic groups in Slough and the powerful engagement between these different cultures.
Presentations were also made by Tricia Kilsby, consultant to the Local Government Team at the DCMS; the three European Capital of Culture 2008 applicants - Brighton & Hove and Canterbury City Councils and Oxford Inspires; and Jane Ashworth from Sport England.
David Kay and Peter Taylor (independent consultants) ended the day with a presentation on their research into how culture can be integrated into LSPs and Area Investment Frameworks (AIFs).
Culture South East has recently put together a guide to integrating culture with community planning called 'Making Life Better'. This guide can be found on Culture South East’s website. It has been developed in partnership with the regional cultural agencies and the Government Office for the South East’s Culture, Media and Sport Unit and illustrates the importance of embedding culture into public policy planning.
