LIBERAL DEMOCRATS VOTE TO CREATE CULTURE STRATEGY FOR CAMBRIDGESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

LIBERAL DEMOCRATS VOTE TO CREATE CULTURE STRATEGY FOR CAMBRIDGESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Liberal Democrat-led Cambridgeshire County Council has voted to improve access to music and the arts for children across the county, following a motion proposed by Liberal Democrat Cllr Rory Clark (LD - Castle) and seconded by Cllr Yasmin Deter (LD - Cottenham and Willingham).

The motion, passed at today's Full Council meeting, commits the Council to developing a culture and arts strategy with a specific focus on children, and calls on the government to provide greater funding for arts education. 

Councillor Rory Clark said:

"Every child in Cambridgeshire deserves the chance to have access to the arts, regardless of their background or where they live. Research consistently shows that music education improves academic performance, mental health, and creativity, and I’ve experienced this myself. But in Cambridgeshire, too many children face barriers because of cost or availability.

"We have world-class cultural institutions right here in Cambridgeshire that could support more children to access music education. This motion ensures we harness that potential through partnership working and a proper strategy that puts children first. Music shouldn't be a luxury, it should be part of every child's education."

Research consistently shows participation in music and the arts improves academic performance, social skills, mental health, and creativity. However, many Cambridgeshire children, particularly from disadvantaged backgrounds, face barriers to accessing arts education due to cost, availability, or awareness of opportunities.

Schools and arts institutions face financial pressures that can lead to reduced provision, while existing excellent opportunities from community organisations and cultural venues are not consistently accessible across all areas of the county. The motion passed today will lead to the creation of a strategy that seeks to tackle these challenges. 

Councillor Yasmin Deter said:

"Drama and the performing arts give children confidence, communication skills, and creativity that benefit them throughout their lives. I've seen firsthand how transformative arts participation can be for young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

"Right now, access to drama and the arts depends too much on where you live and what your parents can afford. This motion commits us to working with our excellent community organisations and cultural venues to ensure every child in Cambridgeshire can participate in the arts."