Agenda item

Tracey Thomas and Rachael Rogers delivered a presentation, introduced the report and answered the members’ questions with Craig O’Connor: 

How will the Cultural Forum ensure fair representation of all areas and interest groups, avoiding overrepresentation or bias? 

The forum will have clear criteria and role profiles, aiming for representation from all key areas and underrepresented groups, including children and young people. Subgroups and ongoing community workshops will help maintain broad engagement. 

Why does the heritage timeline focus more on touristy areas, with little mention of Severnside towns and villages? 

Feedback is welcomed, and the timeline will be updated to better reflect Severnside and other overlooked areas. Additional information from councillors is invited for inclusion. 

Can the strategy include dementia-friendly events, not just in care homes but also in the wider community? 

The strategy aims for inclusivity, with staff trained in dementia-friendly practices. Efforts will be made to ensure all events are accessible and inclusive for people with dementia and other needs. 

How will the strategy create skilled employment and avoid reliance on low-skilled, seasonal tourism jobs? 

The focus is on developing skilled roles in film, technology, theatre, and photography, engaging young people and leveraging Monmouthshire’s appeal as a film location to create higher-skilled opportunities.

Does the Cultural Strategy currently reflect local, villagelevel and grassroots cultural activity? 

The strategy is broader in scope and does not yet reflect all the rich grassroots activity. The Council does understand what happens locally, and the strategy will evolve to include it more clearly. Progress to date may not be fully visible in the draft. 

Is the Council already supporting grassroots culture in practical ways? 

Yes, the Council already runs regular networking events across towns and smaller communities and provides space for artists to display and sell their work (e.g., artwork, jewellery, ceramics). These activities have expanded significantly in the past 12 months, though the progress is not yet wellreflected in the written strategy. 

Can all the heritage buildings mentioned by Members be included in the strategy? 

Some of the buildings referenced are not owned or controlled by the Council. To address this, the Council will need to build relationships with external owners and groups to understand how they can collectively support tourism and strengthen Monmouthshire’s cultural identity. 

How does the Cultural Strategy relate to the Destination Management Plan (DMP) and other strategies? 

They serve different purposes but are designed to complement each other. The DMP focuses on the visitor economy, tourism infrastructure, and sustainable growth. The Cultural Strategy focuses on people – how residents and visitors engage with arts, culture, and creativity. Both documents “speak to each other” and form part of a coordinated organisational approach. 

How do built environment issues (heritage assets, venues, buildings at risk) fit into this? 

These areas are primarily covered by other Council documents, such as Placemaking Plans and the Buildings at Risk register. The Cultural Strategy does not duplicate these but instead sits alongside them as part of a holistic approach to “place.” Each document covers different aspects but collectively ensures protection, enhancement, and coordinated development. 

Is the Cultural Strategy intended to stand alone? 

No, the Cultural Strategy is not a standalone document. It works together with the DMP, Placemaking Plans, heritagefocused policies, and the wider strategic framework. Together, they collectively address cultural experience, economic growth, tourism, and built heritage across Monmouthshire.

Will the final strategy include direct links to events and places listed, making it easier for readers to learn more? 

The team will consider adding links, being mindful that links can break over time, but agree it would be useful. 

Does the strategy offer strong enough support for volunteers and community-led events, and could there be stronger action points for supporting volunteer groups? 

The importance of volunteers is recognized, and the team will look at strengthening actions around volunteering and ensuring this is better reflected in the strategy. 

Would it be possible to include incidental Welsh, such as using "Croeso" in the welcomes, to reflect local identity? 

The document will be translated, and the team will revisit the use of incidental Welsh to better reflect identity. 

Concurring with increasing the use of incidental Welsh in the strategy, Monmouthshire’s Welsh identity needs to be highlighted, including the presence of Welsh-medium schools and the impact of the 2016 Eisteddfod.

The team agreed, confirming the strategy will be available as a dual Welsh-English document and will strengthen references to Welsh language, schools, and the Eisteddfod, acknowledging its significance for the county. 

Chair’s Summary: 

Thank you to the officers for the report and their responses today.