Cultural Services provided by Great Yarmouth Borough Council are "fair" - that's the official feedback from the Audit Commission following a rigorous Best Value Inspection of the service.

The Audit Commission inspection team undertook an inspection of the Council's Cultural Services between the 8th and 12th November 2004.

The  Cultural Services Report (130kb) is available for download as a pdf file.

Barry Coleman, Leader of Great Yarmouth Borough Council said “We are pleased to say that the level of provision of cultural services is increasing and improving.

Feedback from residents still shows that the priority issues in the borough are safety and security, the cleanliness and appearance of our streets and job opportunities, but we feel it is also important to continue to improve the cultural services, which include sport and Leisure, museums and galleries, theatres, parks and open spaces.

Bearing in mind the demands on our limited budget, we have been particularly successful in bringing in external funding to address all these issues.

The inspectors particularly highlighted the transformation of the near derelict South Quay, for example, while preserving its historic character.

Other good outcomes highlighted are the Time and Tide Museum, the refurbishment of historic Buildings, environmental enhancements like the Middlegate Garden on South Quay, and effective outreach in the Arts.”

Overall, the inspectors found that the council has achieved some good results, including:

• The opening of the Time & Tide Museum, the refurbishment of historic buildings, environmental  enhancements in South Yarmouth and effective outreach in the arts.

• Meaningful consultation has enabled local people to help shape major projects such as the regeneration project, InteGREAT, in which cultural services play a significant role.

• The council has a good track record of securing external funding for cultural projects.

• There is effective partnership working to deliver cultural services that the council would not have been able to provide on its own.

• There has been effective stimulation to the local economy through the activities of the tourism service with events such as the Maritime Festival and the Pop Beach music event, each attracting around 30,000 visitors.

• Cultural events are increasingly being used to extend the tourist season, for example a film festival held for the first time in October 2004.

• Heritage assets have been significantly enhanced to increase the visitor attraction.

• The council is taking active steps to maintain a clean, safe and attractive environment, for example through the work of Environmental Rangers, organized litter picks, planting and landscaping schemes involving local communities.

• Local schoolchildren have been engaged in the production of artwork to brighten the shuttering of a closed supermarket and in producing murals for a play area.

• Street lighting has been upgraded to both enhance the street scene and improve personal safety.