Following its work on the District's PPG17 assessment of local needs for open space, sport and recreational facilities across Torridge, KKP has been appointed to produce a cultural strategy and an options appraisal for Torridge District Council's cultural and leisure stock.
The Council owns several leisure facilities across Torridge which are presently run under an agreement between the Council and Parkwood Leisure. The museums and art galleries in the area include the Burton Art Gallery and Museum; recognised as one of the leading cultural venues in the South West.
Building on the 2010 PPG17 assessment, KKP will visit key sites to discuss locality and facility specific issues. It will consult with facility managers and operators to identify challenges and opportunities, areas of unmet demand and surplus provision and conduct a 'technical' supply and demand assessment. By so doing, it will appraise the extent to which culture and leisure facilities meet current and future community needs and aspirations. The assignment also covers sports and arts development services in the District.
Cultural Strategy
Based on information gathered, lead consultant Jonathan Woods, supported by Associate; Mary Schwarz, will prepare a cultural strategy articulating the vision and objectives for culture in Torridge, describing the level and type of provision needed now and in the future and pointing out which agencies could and should be working together to optimise service delivery.
Taking account of cross boundary issues and opportunities and facility improvement priorities, KKP will also develop a five year business plan for strategy implementation to identify the investment and incremental steps to be taken along the way. Advice will also be given on performance measurement to assess the impact of the service moving forward.
Management Options Appraisal
Running parallel, Principal Consultant, David McHendry will undertake a detailed appraisal of current arrangements for the management of cultural services and evaluate the range of options for future management of provision. These include the extension of present arrangements, continued in-house management of certain services, development of a trust and some form of hybrid private sector management. David will also consider the cost associated with meeting the aspirations of the Strategy in relation to new facilities and exactly where funding could be sourced to achieve this.
Through its recent work in Torridge and surrounding areas, KKP is ideally placed to deliver this assignment, bringing contemporary understanding of the context within which the work must be undertaken and local knowledge of facilities and services, plus a strong network of relevant contacts in partner agencies.
Commenting on this latest commission, Jonathan Woods, Principal Consultant at KKP said, "We are looking forward to maintaining our strong working relationship with Culture and Leisure Services. The Council is forward looking and is seeking to improve service effectiveness. The needs assessment will enable us to ensure that Torridge develops a sustainable, strategic framework and provides high quality, efficiently managed leisure opportunities for its residents and visitors."
