RURAL CULTURAL STRATEGY

That this House recognises the need for a Government-led rural cultural strategy (RCS), to be delivered in conjunction with the Rural Cultural Forum; notes that rural communities are being denied their cultural voice at present due to the significant disadvantages they face compared to urban areas in terms of access to arts funding; highlights the perception that too great an emphasis is being placed on serving the needs of the urban creative industries by the arts establishment, as identified in the Independent Study Report compiled by John Holden and endorsed by the RCS Working Group; considers that these barriers could be overcome by the introduction of a dedicated rural cultural funding strategy which would redress the current imbalance and ensure rural cultural initiatives receive adequate attention and support from decision-makers in the arts world; further notes that a strategic approach to diversifying rural culture of this nature would have positive benefits economically in terms of attracting young people towards rural areas and thereby jobs and services; and calls on the Government to make the implementation of a RCS a reality as soon as possible.