This report updates the Committee on the achievements of Reading’s Culture and Heritage Strategy 2015-2030,outlines the Council’s Culture Service response to the covid19 pandemic and outlines the key areas of priority for 2021-22.

The Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report that gave an update on the achievements of Reading’s Culture and Heritage Strategy 2015-2030, outlined the council’s Culture Service response to the covid19 pandemic and set out the key areas of priority for 2021-22.  The report noted in particular that the Culture Service had gained national recognition, having featured in the Local Government Association’s case studies for good council practice in response to Covid-19.

The report explained that the cultural teams had changed the way they provided services through a variety of digital platforms offering much needed fun, educational, health and wellbeing content and advice remotely to the heart of the community.  Reading Culture Live had been created to provide a platform for local cultural organisations to have a digital venue whilst everything was closed.  This had proved very successful and officers were looking at how it could be further developed and used in the future.  The report also gave an update on the services provided by Reading Museum, Libraries, the Hexagon, 21 South Street and Berkshire Records Office as well as the recently created Heritage Action Zones.

The report further explained that, due to the profound impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on thecultural sector, officers proposed that a single-year plan of priorities be put forward based around the following key priorities:

Strategic Priority One:Enhance identity – being Reading/Made in Reading;

Strategic Priority Two: Increase Opportunities through working together;

Strategic Priority Three: Celebrate.

Resolved:

(1)      That the achievements of Reading’s Culture and Heritage Strategy 2015-2030 delivered to date and the council’s Culture Service response to Covid-19 be noted;

(2)      That the key areas of priority 2021-22 be agreed.