One hundred days into the role as chair of the Chief Culture & Leisure Offi cers Association, Richard Hunt shares his thoughts on the challenges facing the sector
FACING THE FUTURE T
he wonderful setting of Blenheim Palace on a sunny May day, where I accepted the nomination to become chair of CLOA, seems quite a distant memory already. On that occasion the CLOA debate centred on the Big Society and the positive opportunities for the sector from this policy area. A hundred days on in the chair, and a whirlwind of activity has been initi- ated or touched on CLOA’s business - among other things a tourism strategy, the transition of museum and library responsibilities to the Arts Council for England, emerging philanthropy fund- ing schemes for the Arts, and “one year to go” to the 2012 Games. Add to that the government’s revised health reforms, that this sector has a major stake in, and I’m sure you’ll agree that’s more than enough for 100 days entertainment. But it is the pace of change roll- ing on remorselessly within the sector that is at the heart of all of our day jobs and focus. CLOA’s survey of the impact of the CSR provided some stark indications of the fi nancial chal- lenges ahead, but also reinforced how much of the sector is getting ahead of the game in terms of innovation and effi ciency, with almost every coun- cil surveyed undertaking or planning some form of transformation of its lei- sure or cultural services. The survey picture describes culture and leisure taking its fair and pro- portionate share of the pain of local authority cuts this year and next, in the majority of authorities. However 20 per cent of authorities surveyed are taking signifi cantly more savings (over 30 per cent in the two fi nancial years). This could be local authorities getting ahead in terms of overall savings and transformation, but could also indicate
64
The sector will need to harness the momentum created by London 2012
Sector leadership is a
critical area for us to focus on and invest in if we wish to shape the future culture and sport landscape, rather than be shaped
a challenging future. Has sector lead- ership provided a robust case for mitigating damaging reductions in service? Sector leadership now more than ever is a critical area for us to focus on and invest in, if we wish to shape the future culture and sport landscape rather than be reshaped. Secondly, service transformation and new ways of working, including the development of the voluntary and community sector, are on the agenda in virtually all local authorities. These decisions will shape local sector serv- ices for the foreseeable future. The facility for knowledge and skill sharing across the sector will be vitally impor- tant in avoiding costly failures and poor service outcomes. Thirdly, against this background of savings and service reductions, a number of opportunities remain open to sustain and potentially grow the sector’s contribution to improving local outcomes. Health and wellbe- ing will continue to dominate local and national attention, and complementary to the health agenda we are less than one year away from the London 2012 Games. The momentum of the Games provides opportunities across the sec- tor to showcase its connective and inspirational value to our communities. The challenge for all of us, and our
that culture and sport may be taking the brunt of savings in several areas. Whereas the fi nancial savings and plans are not surprising there are a number of areas that need to be high- lighted, particularly relating to the longer term shape of the sector.
PROMOTING LEADERSHIP Firstly, signifi cant savings are clearly planned for the sector over the next two years at least and services face
Read Leisure Management online
leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital
organisations, is to work collectively to generate more capacity to contribute to these issues. This, I am suggesting, is where CLOA will offer its support and leadership. Within my fi rst 100 days, I’ve spent time looking at CLOA, our strengths, role and operation, what we do well and where we can improve. I pre- sented these thoughts to the CLOA executive in late June and came away from a healthy debate with a clear sense of what needed to happen.
ISSUE 4 2011 © cybertrek 2011
PHOTO:
SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/GALINA BARSKAYA
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116