Agenda item

The Town Clerk to be heard.

Members received a presentation from the Culture Mile Manager which focussed on the overall vision for Culture Mile, comparative cultural districts in the United Kingdom, achievements of Culture Mile to date and the programme’s ambitions for the future.

Across the globe there is increasing appetite for culture in urban spaces plus greater understanding of how rich cultural offers can really benefit a city and its economy. It was noted that Culture Mile had a reasonably small budget in comparison to some of the global cultural districts (e.g. approximately 40% of the Times Square Alliance) but much had been achieved with the resources available.

Nine workstreams have been established between different organisations within the Square Mile of the City of London including the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, the Museum of London, the Barbican Centre, Public Realm Team intended to provide an exciting and unique opportunity to deliver on the Culture Mile’s Five Unifying Principles: Connectivity, Ancient & Modern, Everyday Creativity, Social Mobility, and the Spine (a concept of a unifying central way finder and look and feel).

09.55 – Randall Anderson left the meeting.

Looking to the future, Culture Mile plan to review the City’s night-time economy and consider how it might be developed whilst being respectful of the City’s residents. It was hoped that creative volunteering at its events would inspire a similar level of energy and engagement experienced at the London 2012 Olympics through its Games Makers. Members felt that more could be done to market the ongoing work of the City and Culture Mile. Work was well underway for the forthcoming Fusion Prize which promoted the use of Fusion Skills to prepare individuals better or employment. The next big deliverable would be the relocation of the Museum of London in 2024. 

Members enquired as to whether the Culture Mile programme had engaged with other nearby developments, e.g. Broadgate Estate and requested that, where practicable, measures be taken to prevent duplication of provisions.

Culture Mile benefitted from partnerships with 44 organisations ranging from Livery Companies to commercial businesses, each of which were geographically linked to Culture Mile or had a long-term interest in the area and this programme. Culture Mile were open to more partnerships providing they met these parameters.

Members asked that a copy of the presentation be circulated after the Board meeting.