A FAR-reaching change in stance towards the promotion of cultural activities looks set to be adopted in North Yorkshire, with wide-ranging aims including regenerating towns, developing skills, improving health and supporting community development.

A ‘cultural framework’ to be considered by North Yorkshire County Council’s executive on Tuesday has been designed to trigger “an ongoing cultural conversation”  and im-bed cultural activities in the core statutory functions of local government.

It is hoped the framework will harness many of the 583 cultural assets that have been identified across the county, including 38 choirs, 18 recording studios, 44 cultural festivals, 52 museums and galleries, 23 theatres and 56 heritage sites, to support residents’ prosperity and wellbeing.

An officer’s report to the meeting states the framework would form the basis for the new North Yorkshire Council to develop the role of culture in communities, ahead of the Government launching a Shared Prosperity Fund to recognise the development of culture and cultural assets.

The report states it has become “increasingly evident that culture will play a role in the Government’s levelling up agenda” and that the framework would help inform bids for Arts Council England funding.

The framework has been developed after consultations with more than 100 arts organisations and individuals in North Yorkshire and key decision-makers, such as the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The report states that the consultations exposed how lots of cultural activity is happening, but in isolation, or in some cases with inter-town rivalry.

It also concluded the cultural sector should be involved in shaping the development of town centre renewal planning and helping make the county’s rich heritage work in a 21st century context.

The consultations also highlighted a mismatch between skills and available people. The officer’s report states: “There is the challenge of securing people with the right skills or finding those newly qualified aren’t trained in the right skills, or are prepared to move into North Yorkshire. For example, Screen Yorkshire sources locations, but needs to bring in technical crew from outside the area.”

A council spokesman said: “The framework is intended to provide an overarching direction of travel and act as a catalyst for conversation, partnership brokering and investment including securing both public and private sector funding.

“Investing in the process of collective leadership development, capacity building and conversation will help the sector move forward with confidence, innovation and creative ambition.”

The framework notes that in North Yorkshire the potential contribution of the arts to health and wellbeing is not fully realised, as programmes have been temporary and provision uneven across the county.

The report states: “There is a need to increase awareness of the benefits of cultural participation and the opportunities that exist on people’s doorstep, within North Yorkshire.

“During the Covid pandemic issues of social isolation and loneliness have been exacerbated. A key factor in reducing loneliness is the social interaction experienced while participating in cultural activity.”