PRESS RELEASE

The chance to contribute to a new cultural strategy for the borough of Brent is now open to people living in the area.

The draft Brent Cultural Strategy 2010-2015 sets out a vision of a range of cultural opportunities that are engaging, accessible and enriching for all local communities so that by 2015 Brent will be confident in culture as a catalyst for improving the quality of life of everyone who lives or works in the borough regardless of their individual circumstances.

The current Brent Cultural Strategy expires at the end of 2009. Its replacement will highlight the key principles that all Brent's cultural partners and providers will need to consider in delivering the shared vision for culture in Brent.

Eight headline principles have been identified as critical to the successful delivery of this vision, including increasing participation, encouraging young people to take part and making the most of London 2012.

The draft strategy has been produced by the Culture, Sport and Learning Forum, a sub group of Brent's Local Strategic Partnership (LSP), which brings together at a local level the different parts of the public sector as well as the private, business, community and voluntary sectors.

Brent Council is facilitating the consultation process for the draft strategy on behalf of the Culture, Sport and Learning Forum and would value comments and suggestions from as many people as possible.

"Brent's culture will become the direct product of people's sense of pride, identity and connectedness with an exciting offer of cultural activities available to all members of the community," said Leader of Brent Council, Paul Lorber.

The consultation period runs until Friday 9th October and full details can be found on the Council's Consultation Tracker website at www.brent.gov.uk/consultations.

Alternatively paper or electronic copies of the draft strategy and the questionnaire are also available by contacting Raj Phull on 020 8937 3144 or by email at raj.phull@brent.gov.uk