Council’s two new visions for the arts in Guildford

Visions for the arts in Guildford, in which everyone can enjoy them, is key to two new strategies to be adopted by the borough council.

Pictured with Cllr Nikki Nelson-Smith (third from left) are council staff Hannah Dix, Su Kelland and Jo James. Photo: Alistair Wilson.

The council says that its arts development and its public arts strategies give it a clear plan for the next five years so it can provide opportunities to meet the needs of residents, customers and the community. It also says that it will also be able to look further ahead to increase opportunities for arts activities, partnerships and funding.

It adds that as well as raising the profile of the arts and highlighting how they contribute to health and wellbeing, society and the economy, the strategies and will also help artists and organisations to plan fundraising and projects.

Public consultation last summer, including residents, artists, community groups and people working in the arts, helped shape and direct both strategies.

The lead councillor for heritage and the arts, Nikki Nelson-Smith, said: “We are proud of the vibrant and varied cultural scene throughout our borough and are extremely fortunate to work with many talented artists and organisations that make this happen. The strategies aim to harness the potential of the arts to make genuine and meaningful impact in the lives of our residents and communities.

“We want to work with our partners to make our vision for arts development in Guildford become a reality – a place where everyone can enjoy great arts. Our aim is to make sure that every resident, regardless of their background and situation, has the opportunity to take part in or experience the arts.

“We want to challenge the idea that the arts are only for certain types of people, and reach out to more individuals and groups from across the borough and encourage them to experience arts activities.”

The council has developed action plans, which it will review with stakeholders every year.

Click here for more details on the council’s website.

The council’s definition of ‘arts’ include performing and visual arts, for example, combined arts, circus arts, craft, dance, fashion and the creative industries, festivals, literature, music and theatre, together with film, media and digital arts and much more.

It says public art is the process of artists working with the local community to develop temporary or permanent pieces of art that are either stand-alone features or integrated into the environment for everyone to enjoy. Most public art is paid for as part of the planning process, not by council tax payers.

Supporting young carers with new Guildford Philanthropy fund

A new fund, initiated by the Deputy Mayor of Guildford, Mike Parsons, as part of his mayoral year fundraising, will provide support to help prevent young carers falling behind educationally, emotionally and socially, due to their caring responsibilities.

Its ring-fenced Guildford Young Carers Fund, within Guildford Philanthropy, will award grants to help support young carers by providing resources, services and equipment.

The scheme was agreed by the council’s Executive on March 27, which made the commitment to provide council match-funding of up to £20,000 for all private donations made to the new fund in the 2018/19 mayoral year.

Guildford Philanthropy is a collaborative partnership set up in 2013 between Guildford Borough Council and the Community Foundation for Surrey. The latter helped develop the scheme and manages the income and grants.

For more information about Guildford Philanthropy visit www.guildford.gov.uk/guildfordphilanthropy

Celebrating Guildford residents who have received national honours

A reception was held on Thursday, March 22 to celebrate Guildford residents and voluntary organisations who have received national honours in the past 12 months.

The recipients of national awards, pictured with the mayor and mayoress, council leader Paul Spooner and GBC managing director James Whiteman, at the reception.

The Mayor of Guildford, Nigel Manning, and the leader of the council, Paul Spooner, thanked them for their contribution to the borough and national life.

Among the honoured were those who have received MBEs, British Empire Medals and CBEs for their services to the community, alongside representatives from voluntary organisations Oakleaf, Headway Surrey, Surrey County Playing Field Association and the Normandy Therapy Garden.

Funding bid to Government for Slyfield Area Regeneration Project (SARP) is selected for next stage

The council’s bid for funding from the Government’s National Housing Infrastructure Fund for its Slyfield Area Regeneration Project has reached the next stage.

The initial bid was submitted on behalf of Guildford Borough Council by Surrey County Council and the next stage will involve the co-development and assessment of the business case to inform the final funding decision.

The council visualises the project as a major urban regeneration scheme encompassing the relocation of the existing Thames Water sewage treatment works on to a former landfill site and the repositioning of the council’s operational services depot.

Guildford Borough’s lead councillor for infrastructure and governance,​ Matt Furniss, points out: “Significant remediation and critical infrastructure works are required to unlock this major housing scheme enabling the delivery of up to 1,500 homes, potentially making a significant contribution to Guildford’s growing housing need.

“SARP is designated as a housing zone by Homes England and is identified as a strategic development site within the [council’s] emerging Local Plan.”

Guildford is among 45 other areas around England and outside London shortlisted to apply for government investment that totals some £200 million. It has previously been reported that only 10 of those bidding will eventually be successful.

It is a long-running project and Guildford Borough Council has previously committed £390,000 of funding to get the scheme going.

Click here for previous story.

For other stories on the SARP scheme and its plans, type SARP in the search box at the top right of the Dragon’s home page.