Our Culture:
A Cultural Strategy for the London Borough of Bexley 2003-2008
Making it Happen
A Cultural Forum
The implementation of the Cultural Strategy will only happen with the commitment
of many partners at all levels.
 All
these partners will be asked to endorse the Cultural Vision for Bexley and
to identify the actions that they can contribute to the achievement of these
goals. What is important is that contributions are made, and that in total
those contributions make a difference.
Whilst there are now a number of key partnerships being established to oversee
the development of the Borough's social, economic, educational and environmental
goals including the Local Strategic Partnership which has an important overarching
role, there is no inclusive partnership for culture. Given the importance of
culture in the overall quality of life of the Borough there needs to be an
equivalent partnership that can work towards achieving greater co-ordination
of cultural initiatives and the realisation of broader borough goals.
It is proposed to establish a Cultural Forum in 2003, administered by the
Council, but comprising representatives of statutory, voluntary and commercial
organisations involved directly or indirectly with cultural provision. The
constitution of the Forum should be such that it can effectively interact with
other key partnerships, and representatives of the Forum should also be part
of such partnerships. The Council will have a key role in facilitating cultural
activities and facilities in the borough with the Forum taking forward and
monitoring the Cultural Strategy.
Summary and Key Objectives
The Strategy has highlighted the importance and impact of culture at a national
and local level; not only as activity in its own right but as a significant
contributor to the wider Borough agendas. Bexley is already rich in cultural
provision at a local level and the partners involved can be proud of their
achievements. These standards and provision need to be maintained and enhanced
if the current quality of life in the Borough is to continue. There are also
issues that need to be addressed for Bexley to realise the full benefits and
potential of culture, including a common vision, coordinating resources, and
investing in the providers of culture. Importantly this involves building for
the future, developing and maintaining a sense of community and local identity,
encouraging and promoting excellence and celebrating the diversity of the Borough
in a way that contributes to the enhancement of the Borough's image outside
of its own boundaries.
The next page summarises the key actions
of the Cultural Strategy. From these the Council and its partners will develop
detailed annual action plans that progress the achievement of the Strategy's
goals, starting from 2003.
This section of the web site is a summary of Bexley's Cultural Strategy.
The complete Cultural Strategy and the first year Action Plan are available
from the Downloads section.
« The Cultural Vision
for Bexley | Headline Key Actions »
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