Select an item from below
Culture
Background
PUSH aims to develop sustainable communities within our sub-region. Of course we need houses, roads, schools and places to work. But we also need those things which add to the quality of life and help create local identity: for example high quality leisure facilities, vibrant visual and performing arts, well designed public space and active community networks. The Culture & Creativity Theme Group’s role is to ensure that both existing and new developments can include those things which make places and communities.
The Sub-region Now
Urban South Hampshire is not starting from scratch when it comes to local culture. We can be proud of a number of top-class venues such as The Point at Eastleigh, Southampton’s Nuffield and Mayflower Theatres or Portsmouth Guildhall. The sub-region is home to top-class companies and artists, we can boast two strong football clubs and a top County Cricket Club. Our cities host the Southampton International Boat Show and the international Tall Ships Race. Our urban core is surrounded by some of the best countryside in England, with a National Park on our doorstep and another under consideration.
The diversity of our culture reflects that of South Hampshire’s communities. Indeed, culture has played a central role in bringing together communities with different traditions by helping each to understand the other. As our communities grow, they will become more diverse, and so the common experience that culture can offer will become increasingly important.
Communities across the sub-region are active, whether through local sports and social events or by promoting festivals and local celebrations. They have spaces to meet in and socialise, and opportunities for having a say in their future. Important facilities such as libraries and museums are well used and thriving.
We are also home to a growing ‘creative economy’ – businesses ranging from software developers to media companies, architects to fashion designers. These creative businesses have a central role in the sub-region’s plans for economic growth.
The Challenge for PUSH
Our sub-region recognises the need for growth, and that means new houses and new people. The Partnership recognises that planning for cultural and community facilities is equally important as planning for new houses or businesses. Maintaining and building on our cultural and creative strengths will help us retain our competitive advantage and build our success.
The Theme Group’s role is to support and advise elected members and colleagues planning the sub-region’s growth by ensuring that cultural and creative activities, services and facilities contribute to the economic, social and environmental well-being of South Hampshire.
The Theme Group includes representatives from local authorities, the higher education sector, the visitor economy and regional cultural bodies. The South East’s major cultural agencies (Arts Council for England, Museums, Libraries & Archives South East, Sport England South East, Tourism South East, English Heritage and Screen South) are represented on the Group by Culture South East. They support PUSH’s cultural objectives and are working as part of the Group.
Key projects currently underway are:
- A ‘cultural audit’ intended to identify the nature and location of all significant cultural facilities across the sub-region. The audit will help PUSH authorities identify where there are gaps which mean new communities will not have access to facilities.
- The promotion of the highest standards of design for both new buildings and public spaces across the sub-region. The Group is working with the Solent Centre for Architecture and Design to help train planners and local Members, and to provide an independent design review of major development proposals.
- Across South Hampshire the ‘creative industries can play a key part in our economic growth. We are considering, with colleagues on the economic theme group, how best this sector can be supported and encouraged.
Contacts
To find out more contact Simon Eden, the Group’s Chair, at seden@winchester.gov.uk.