Leisure and culture

Culture and leisure are often linked, and both functions have an important role to play in improving quality of life, providing opportunities for social interaction and learning, plus supporting the local economy through attracting visitors.

Cultural Services has the mandate of managing the arts, libraries, sports development, heritage and tourism functions of Herefordshire Council. This includes operating 12 public venues, running specific initiatives, co-ordinating events and instigating marketing projects. The Service also takes a lead on policy and planning, pulling together the views of interested parties to create an integrated way of working with the voluntary, private, education and public sectors. As well as directly running venues and initiatives, Cultural Services supports other organisations and individuals. This includes giving advice, sharing information, co-ordinating networks, running training sessions, supporting the submission of funding applications as well as issuing funding.