The Cultural Strategy sets out Huntingdonshire District Council’s key targets and aspirations for culture between 2007-2010 .Through this, the Council, working in conjunction with key cultural partners and stakeholders, will work towards strengthening and enhancing opportunities for culture within the district.

What it the cultural strategy?

The Cultural Strategy sets out Huntingdonshire District Council’s key targets and aspirations for culture between 2007 and 2010.  It provides a distinctive vision for the development of cultural activities, facilities and services and will work towards strengthening and enhancing opportunities for culture within the district.  It was approved by Cabinet on 4 October 2007

The Strategy is about improving the quality of life and wellbeing of Huntingdonshire’s residents, workers and visitors through the provision and development of cultural activities, events and facilities and by helping to achieve other quality of life goals such as providing lifelong learning opportunities, improving health, stimulating economic development and helping to improve safety in our communities.

The Strategy: 

sets out a shared vision for cultural, creative and leisure opportunities across the district, exploring what kind of cultural opportunities exist and what are needed.  For the purpose of this strategy the word “culture” is used in its broadest sense.  It includes Arts, Built Heritage, Leisure Pursuits, Libraries, Museums, Open Spaces, Play and Sport.

The vision:

‘To enhance the quality of life and ensure that all of Huntingdonshire’s residents have the opportunity to peruse a wide range of high quality sustainable cultural activities that fully reflects the diverse needs of the district.’

Key Themes:

For this vision to be achieved, it is important that there are a set of guiding principles and themes underpinning the strategy. With this in mind three key themes have been identified, which are as follows:

Improve access to culture and leisure opportunities.
Develop and improve lifelong learning.
Develop vibrant communities which are safer, healthier, cohesive and economically sustainable
Action Plan:

In order to develop these themes further, a comprehensive action plan with detailed outputs, outcomes and targets has been produced which establishes a genuinely partnership-based approach to sustaining, developing and improving the cultural life of the district.  The action plan will be monitored on a quarterly and annual basis.

Huntingdonshire District Council has initiated this Strategy but its implementation will require the co-operation and partnership of many people, organisations and groups in the public, voluntary and commercial sectors.  It is a Cultural Strategy for the District and not a service plan for the Council.