living places newsletter | August 2009

Welcome to the August living places newsletter

Many people will be either on or gearing up for well earned holidays, and even more will be continuing to enjoy the benefits of sports facilities, galleries, museums, concert halls and historic sites throughout the summer. Even during holiday time, there are still lots of things going on and many new opportunities nationally and regionally to bring to life plans for culture and sports provision.

We’ve got news of a couple of major announcements and how you can benefit; we have our usual round up of news about the programme; we have some more events to draw your attention to; and we’ve got some of the highlights from the regeneration and related media this month in case you missed them.

Thanks all of you who have been in touch since last month. We do value your feedback and really want to hear about your events, news and case studies.

Do pass this newsletter on to anyone else you think may be interested, within or outside your organisation.

Have a great summer!

Leah Whittingham, Programme Manager
Helen Cooper, Programme Support Officer 

Dates of culture and sport planning toolkit events

Most of the dates for the CSPT events have now been finalised. Details are listed in the calendar section at the end of this newsletter. The events will be a great opportunity for planners, sports and culture officials to come together and share best practice, understand a bit more about the toolkit and think together about how to apply it in the context of policy developments such as standard charging and sport and culture mapping. A brochure and booking form will be sent out soon, and the September newsletter will contain further details.

Empty shops

Thanks to all of you who sent in details of where empty shops have been used as studio or performance or other creative spaces. The Meanwhile project, launched by the Asset Transfer Unit, will be launching its first projects in Margate in August. Their use of empty shops for art installations and design studios is designed to 'explore, develop and test' a means of bringing town centres back to life through using the vacant spaces.

Talking Shop is an initiative run by Mid Pennine Arts (MPA), Pennine Lancashire’s strategic arts agency. They recognise the role shops and small businesses have in the development of a vibrant community. For more information on the initiative and the launch event of their website see the living places news section.

We’re still on the look out for other examples so as they happen in your area do let us know. 

Pennine Lancashire reports

We have recently made three more reports related to cultural mapping available on the living places website. See the Pennine Lancashire priority place page for more information.

Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw launches national competition for UK City of Culture

A competition open to the whole of the UK to find the nation’s first ‘City of Culture’ was launched on 14th July by Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw.  The winning city will become a focus for national attention in 2013 and could host high-profile media events including the Turner Prize, BBC Sports Personality of the Year, The Brits and the Stirling Prize as part of their year in the spotlight.

Building on Liverpool’s success as European Capital of Culture in 2008 the successful city could expect to see economic and social benefits flow in, leaving a lasting legacy. The initiative is being launched following a feasibility study by Phil Redmond.

And not just cities can apply.  Bids will also be welcome from closely linked urban areas, or cities with their surrounding areas.  The important thing is that there must be a clear central focus to the area.

Bidders will have until 16 October this year to submit an outline application, with a deadline of 11 December for initial bids.  Expert assessors will then look at bids received and an independent advisory panel will recommend a short list to be announced early in 2010. Finally, those bids that are short listed have until 28 May to submit their full and final bids. Once these have been assessed and a recommendation made by the independent advisory panel, the final winner will be announced by the Culture Secretary later that year.

For more information click here.

Government announces plans for first eco towns

Greener living in Britain's first eco-towns will become a reality for up to 30,000 people in five years' time, as Housing Minister John Healey today announced the four sites that have passed the Government's tough standards to go through to the next planning phase, full public consultation and local planning approval.

The successful eco-town sites will pioneer innovative design and infrastructure for greener living. They are Whitehill-Bordon in Hampshire, St Austell (China Clay) in Cornwall, Rackheath in Norfolk and North West Bicester in Oxfordshire. These sites have met the Government's tough standards during two years of thorough assessment.

Mr Healey announced that developers in the four successful locations will be able to bid for a share of £60m to support local infrastructure. He said he wanted to see at least six second wave areas and is making up to £5m available for councils to conduct further planning work on proposals.

Eco-towns will include:

• The toughest standards for sustainability, with smart meters to track energy use, community heat sources and charging points for electric cars
  smart, efficient, affordable homes taking their energy from the sun, wind and earth. Residents will be able to control the heat and ventilation of their homes at the touch of a button; and sell their surplus energy into the grid
• All homes located within ten minutes' walk of frequent public transport and everyday neighbourhood services
• parks, playgrounds and gardens that will make up 40 per cent - two fifths - of the towns. Children will attend local zero carbon schools, making use of the paths and cycle ways
• Zero carbon buildings including shops, restaurants and public buildings. Car journeys will make up less than half of all journeys.
• And all the homes will reach at least level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes - including standards for energy efficiency, recycling, water efficiency and reduced pollution - saving a typical home £200-500 a year in energy bills.

To find out more, click here.

Culture and sport planning toolkit regional seminars

Please note the date for your region in your diary. Further details will be sent to all programme partners soon.

October

1st: London
5th: North West
14th: Yorkshire and Humber
16th: West Midlands
21st: South West
22nd: South East
29th: North East

November

3rd: South East
30th: East of England
tbc: East Midlands

Remember also that the living places network event will take place at the Southbank Centre on 25th November 2009.

Other events in September

2nd - UK Cultural Connections 09, Bridgewater Hall, Manchester
8th - launch of Talking Shop Pennine Lancashire
10th - Partnership for Schools Annual Forum  
14th - Eco-towns seminar - The Lightbox, Woking
22nd - first meeting of the CSPT advisory group

If you have an event you would like included please email Helen Cooper.

For all BURA events visit their online calendar. 

If you would like to include any information in the newsletter then send your contributions, by the second week of each month, to the living places Programme Support Officer, Helen Cooper.

We are looking in particular for updates on activity, information on events and training in your area that other members might be interested in attending and the sharing of best practice. This could take the form of a case study, for example. This newsletter is for you and we would like to make it as interesting and relevant as it can be.